October - Harry, age 16

Harry slammed his charms book closed, glowering down to the cover as he took in a deep breath. Snape was being completely unfair. The most unfair he had ever been! It was so simple. Just not keep him in the dark!

"You've wanted to be the defense professor forever! And Dumbledore never did anything. Now all the sudden you are and that's it?" He glowered over to the man, tossing his book onto the table.

"What changed?" Harry pressed, leaning forward slightly. He didn't think it was a difficult question, but it was proving to be so.

Snape looked up at the child from the exams he was grading. "Did you misunderstand what I have already said? There is no reason Harry. It is simply what it is and I would appreciate it if you would stop interrogating me."

"I'm not interrogating, I'm just using common sense." The sixteen year shot back, looking across the room over to the man. "You're not telling me anything when I should be the one to know things!"

Snape raised an eyebrow at the teenager. "You need to remember who the adult is. I cannot tell you everything. Some things are not your business regardless of how much you would like them to be."

"And you need to remember who I am," Harry uttered the words before he even realized it, quickly looking away and glaring to the table.

Snape's eyes narrowed on the boy as he silently counted backwards from ten before responding. "You are a child who is dangerously close to finding himself nursing a smarting backside."

"I'm not a child," Harry muttered, rolling his eyes as he leaned against the back of the couch. "You can't keep hiding things from me. I'll find out myself."

"I am not going to continue to have this conversation with you." Snape's eyes drifted back down to his work. "When there is something that I think you need to know, you will."

"You never think I need to know anything! You didn't even want me to be part of the Order, when I'm the one that, you know, Voldemort wants to kill." Harry knew his guardian hated the name, but even then he couldn't find himself caring.

"Harry," Snape said the name in a warning tone. "If I were you I would start thinking before I continued to speak." The man's eyes remained on his work, though he was hardly paying attention to it. His focus was solely on keeping his patience with his child.

"Whatever," the teenager breathed, standing and picking up his charms book. "You just know I'm telling the truth and don't want to admit it."

Snape was on his feet a moment later, his work long forgotten as he quickly moved across the room towards the teenager. He looked down at him, his face only inches from Harry's. "Watch. Your. Cheek," the man breathed angrily. "Before you find yourself in Charms class with a sore rear end."

Harry bit his cheek as he watched Snape swoop towards him, staring back at the man as he leaned in. He felt a response rise within him, causing him to take in a deep breath. Instead, the teenager finally took a step back and made a movement to go around his guardian.

"A wise decision young man." Snape watched the child walk past him as he found himself slowly and silently counting backwards from ten once more.

"Whatever," Harry breathed, gathering his school back and placing his charms book within it.

Snape turned, taking hold of the boys upper arm with his left hand before his right hand came down in a scorching swat across the trouser clad rear end. "Now that is enough!"

Harry quickly pulled himself away from Snape, glowering after the smack. His right hand instantly went back to rub the slight sting, "What?!"

"You know exactly what and I have had enough of it. If you can't control this cheek of yours, you can come see me tonight after dinner for a much more serious discussion about it." Snape's eyes narrowed on the child as he waited for his response.

Harry's hand dropped to his side, continuing to stare at Snape silently before he moved away again. "See you in class," he muttered softly.

"I would suggest correcting your attitude before then." Snape watched as the child walked towards the door.

The teenager didn't offer a response as he rested the strap of his satchel over his shoulder. He opened the door, stepping out into the dungeon hall before allowing it to close behind him rather loudly.

A loud, exasperated sigh escaped Snape's lips as the door closed behind Harry. He wasn't quite sure when this attitude with Harry had started but he was more than ready for it to stop.

Harry lowered his wand away as Ron failed to cast a spell in his direction, giving his friend a smile. It was, without a doubt, the hardest thing they were learning that year, nonverbal spells. When Snape did it, he was sure it would be so much more simple that it was actually proving to be.

Harry's gaze shifted briefly to his guardian who seemed to be watching him much more intently than the other students. He huffed, turning his head away as he looked at Ron. "Try again."

Snape walked up and down the aisles, watching his students carefully. The man was not surprised to find that very few students were having success. Nonverbal spells were not an easy form of magic.

"Concentrate," he reminded loudly as he stopped in his tracks to watch his child and the Weasley boy. "Concentration is key."

Harry spared another glance to Snape as the man hovered near them before looking back to his friend. After a few long moments, Ron lowered his wand with a sound of frustration and Harry sighed softly.

"What did I just say?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the pair. "It is impossible to concentrate when you are letting your emotions control you." The man took a step back, watching the teenagers intently. "Try once more and do it correctly."

"We're trying," Harry muttered lowly, sparing a glare over to his guardian. It was hard for anyone to concentrate with Snape hovering around.

"Try again." Snape gave a stern nod. His eyes remained on his child. "Control your frustration."

That was easier said than done. The teenager took in a breath, this time attempting to cast a spell towards Ron. His mind however swarm with his frustration of both the class and his guardian. Especially his guardian.

"I can't." Harry met Snapes stare, glaring at the man.

"You are hardly trying," Snape scolded. The class was nearly over as was the man's patience with his child's attitude. The teenager was practically impossible when it came to every and any moment.

Harry wasn't sure what took over him at that moment, but he also knew Snape's skill well enough. He felt his annoyance rise before he slashed his wand through the air with a hissed incantation towards his guardian.

It would of been quite the sting to land, and Harry felt himself go numb after it.

The spell caught Snape off guard as he stumbled backwards nearly falling over. "Harry!" He hissed angrily. "Are you not aware that you are to be practicing nonverbal spells?"

Harry's surprise of actually hitting his guardian was shown for a moment before the look disappeared. "Yes," he huffed, feeling his shoulders tense.

"Yes Sir." Snape's tone was stern as his eyes narrowed on his child. The man found himself silently counting backwards from ten for the third time that day.

The teenager's lips twitched slightly, raising his head slightly as he stared at the man. "There's no need to call me Sir, Professor."

A silence fell over the class, a few soft whispers here or there but eyes had fallen to the two.

Snape's eyes, if possible, narrowed even more as the man found himself for the first time ever, fighting the urge to deliver a well earned smack to his child's cheeky rear end right in the middle of his classroom. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and speaking in a deadly low voice. "My office Potter. Now!"

The class was eerily silent as the teen grabbed his book bag, glancing over to Ron who looked quite stun himself. Harry cast a look over to Snape before he moved across the defense class, entering into the joined office and shutting the door.

He dropped his bag to the floor, swallowing heavily. Slowly, he moved across the room and sat across from the desk, staring towards it. His mind swarmed with what he had done... he had attacked Snape.

The next ten minutes of class went by far too slowly for the man's liking. After his students recovered from watching the scene that they had, Snape had them continue working on the assignment.

As his students exited the classroom, Snape's eyes settled on his office door.

Harry had shifted within the chair, arms folded over his chest as he closed his eyes. He was sure the class was over by then and he cringed to himself as he imagined Snape entering the office.

Nearly five minutes after his class had ended, Snape stood and walked over to his office door. His hand rested on the doorknob as he took a few deep breaths willing himself to calm down.

The man pushed the door open, closing it loudly behind him before he stormed across his office. He stopped in front of his child, resting against his desk as he looked down at the teenager.

Harry opened his eyes, slowly adjusting himself to sit up properly as he spared a look up at Snape. He swallowed heavily, eyes flickering down to settle on the edge of the desk.

"What was that behavior young man?" Snape's eyes narrowed on the child. "How dare you behave in such a way in my classroom, in any classroom!"

Harry kept his gaze to the desk, closing his eyes as Snape's voice rose slightly. He kept his mouth shut on the matter, blinking after a moment and moving his eyes towards the wall instead, anywhere but to his guardian.

"I asked you a question," Snape breathed in an exasperated tone. His patience with the teenager was running thin, thinner than he had remembered it being in quite some time.

"And I didn't answer." Harry felt his hands tingle, knowing full well he was pushing his luck. What did he expect? An apology? After he refused to tell him anything?

"You are one cheeky response away from being thoroughly introduced to the ruler in my desk drawer." Snape reached down a hand, tapping the boys chin firmly. "I would watch myself if I were you."

The teenager lifted his head at the tap, blinking up to Snape. "Okay." he finally offered, his tone softer as he tightened his hold around himself.

"Answer my question." Snape's tone was stern as his nostrils flared. "What was that behavior? What has gotten into you?"

Harry stared at Snape for a long moment, leaning away slightly as he did so. "I don't know...I don't." He shook his head as he looked down to his hands. "I mean... you won't tell me anything, or hardly anything. And there's just no way I can learn nonverbal spells! And then you act like I'm not even trying!" He huffed.

"We already had this conversation today Harry," Snape replied in a tired tone. "I do not wish to have it again. Not every blasted thing is meant for you to know."

Harry glared off to the side, his shoulders slouching down slowly. "I just want to help," he muttered, his right hand rubbing at his left arm idly.

"By attacking me in class? By acting cheeky in my classroom?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "I have never seen such unacceptable behavior."

He hated the tone, the disappointment. Harry stared out of the defense office windows, watching as a few owls flew by. "I'm sorry," he finally breathed, looking back to Snape as his arms fell to his lap.

"It has been quite some time since I have felt so disappointed in you." Snape looked down at the child, reaching out to tap his chin once more. "Quite some time indeed."

The teenager stared at Snape, the previous fight he had felt in the class had all but disappeared. "I didn't exactly mean to attack you either."

"No? You threw a spell directly at me." Snape's arms crossed over his chest. "What exactly were you trying to do then?"

Harry's cheeks flushed slightly, looking down towards his legs. "I mean... I did mean to. I just thought you'd block it... and I was so angry." He muttered the last part softly, just above a whisper.

"I am not quite sure that I believe those words." Snape shook his head. "Aside from you feeling angry that is. However, anger is not an excuse. You as well as threw a tantrum and I am sure that you remember that I do not allow those."

"I didn't throw a tantrum." Harry scowled up to Snape then, tightening his arms around his middle. "And I did think you'd block it. You're great at nonverbal and wandless."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words as his hand moved to tap the teenager's chin firmly. "Perhaps not in the same way you would have at six but you most certainly threw a tantrum in my classroom."

Harry moved his head away then, his scowl remaining. He certainly wouldn't call it a tantrum, but he had certainly been well more than annoyed at the man.

Snape stood up straight, moving around his desk. "Regardless of what you thought I would do, your behavior was completely unacceptable little boy."

"I said I'm sorry." Harry stared slightly clearer as he watched Snape move to behind the desk. He wisely bit back the remark about arguing how he was no longer a child; there was no chance that would help him.

"Forgive me Harry." Snape paused in his steps, looking over at the child. "Please do and act however you like. Just be sure to apologize when you are done."

Those words caused the teenager to roll his eyes, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair. He perched his chin onto his hand, looking away from Snape and to the windows.

Snape opened his top desk drawer, reaching in and pulling out a wooden ruler. The man laid it down on his desk before he moved back around to face his child once more. "How very remorseful of you to roll your eyes at me."

"I am sorry. But I can't go back in time." His eyes lowered to the floor, shaking his head slightly within his palm.

Snape leaned against the front of his desk once more, looking down at his child. "You would change what exactly?"

Harry released a heavy sigh, leaning back into the chair as he looked back to Snape. It didn't even feel like he was really speaking to his guardian, but to his professor. His shoulders slacked down slowly. "I wouldn't throw a spell at you."

Snape hummed softly at the words. "Is that your only regret in regards to your behavior?"

Harry gave a small smile, recalling very well he had worded his response to the man. "Suppose that was pretty cheeky."

"I have witnessed quite a bit of cheek over the past day or so. I am growing tired of it." The man gave the child a serious look. "I can't help but wonder if punishment is needed to prevent it from continuing."

The small smile quickly disappeared and the teenager shook his head. "No," he responded softly, his eyes flickering down towards the floor. It had been quite awhile since he had been in much trouble.

"No?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "Am I to allow this cheek of yours to just continue without consequence?"

"It won't continue," Harry offered, swallowing as he leaned further back into the chair.

Snape's hand moved to tap the boys chin firmly once more. "Am I to believe your words Harry?"

Harry sighed, staring up to Snape. "I mean... yes?" He continued to stare up to Snape, hoping that the man did actually believe him.

"I let your behavior go earlier today which was clearly a mistake." Snape raised a stern eyebrow at the child. "I am not fond of making the same mistake more than once."

"Then why ask if you won't believe me anyway?" Harry asked in an exasperated tone, frowning deeply.

"I would like to believe you. I want to believe you." Snape leaned down slightly, putting his face closer to Harry's. "I do not enjoy being cross with you nor do I enjoy punishing you."

Harry blinked, looking down and nodding in a silent understanding. "I just hate being in the dark about things... especially now."

"You need to learn to trust." Snape's hand moved to tap the boys chin firmly. "If I am not telling you something there is good reason for that."

"I trust you... but I've told you I don't trust every one. Not even Dumbledore.." He shrugged a shoulder, "And earlier in the year there was everything with the Death Eaters? I know something is happening."

"And when I feel that it is time for you to know you will." Snape gave the teenager a pointed look. "You are not quite grown yet."

"Close enough," Harry pointed out, frowning as he watched Snape. "I'm sixteen."

"Sixteen is not of age." Snape frowned at the child. "You should be enjoying your last year of childhood. You will grow up quickly enough."

"It's hard to enjoy much or relax, now at least." Harry shifted slightly in the seat, his chest falling with a sigh. "I just want to know what's going on."

"And I have told you multiple times that it does not concern you." Snape pointed a finger at the child. "Aside from that despite what you want it is not an excuse to behave as you did today in class."

"I've said sorry and I can't take it back." Harry was sure he'd hear this several times before the man let it go. "What else do you want me to say?"

"I want you to say that I will never witness such behavior again." Snape allowed his hand to drop. "I want you to say that this cheek you have adopted will stop."

"You will not and... I'll try," Harry offered softly, eyes watching Snape's hand fall away. Since last year, he still suffered from his vision with Voldemort although it had seemed to be not near as often. Especially after Sirius' death. But, there were days when things were hard. The best thing he could do would be to try.

"Let me make something perfectly clear." Snape leaned down, putting his own face in front of the teenagers. "If I ever witness behavior like that again, I will bend you over my desk and that ruler lying on it will remind you of your manners."

Harry's cheeks flushed slightly at the threat, looking down as Snape leaned forward. "Okay," he uttered softly, blinking several times.

"Harry." Snape spoke sternly as he tapped the boys chin. "It ends here."

"Okay," Harry once more emphasized, shifting his head away slightly. "I get it."

Snape remained where he was for a long moment before he stood up straight, his demeanor softening slightly. "I know that you want to know things. I understand. However, I am not comfortable with it at this time."

"Why though? What could possibly be that bad for me to know?" Harry stared up to the man, his shoulders slouched down.

"It is not that it is that bad. It is simply that I do not wish for you to know." Snape leaned back against his desk once more.

"Why? What's the worse thing that could happen with me knowing something?" Harry leaned forward slightly, folding his arms over his knees.

"You have a habit of looking for trouble. I do not want to fuel that." Snape gave the child a serious glare.

"Not telling me makes me want to find things out." Harry frowned at the glare he received. "And I don't go looking for it, it just... tends to find me."

"Not telling you is the only way I have to protect you." Snape's features softened. "One day soon I won't even have that."

"Dad." Harry smiled, almost sadly. It was a wonder Snape had been able to keep him protected for as long as he had; especially after the graveyard. "It's not like I can go out and track down anyone, I'm still stuck here even if you told me."

"And I will tell you." Snape nodded as he rested his hands on his desk. "Eventually I will tell you everything. However, until then you will just have to mind your cheek and live with my decision."

"When's eventually? Eventually may be too late one day. I've seen Him every year! Except third." Harry shook his head. It was only a matter of time before he was face to face with Voldemort again.

"I will not be too late." Snape shook his head. "I know what I am doing Harry. I would not put you in that position."

The words made dread pool into the pit of his stomach, swallowing as looked down to his knees. He hated to admit it but he was nervous of what would eventually happen. And being kept in the dark only made him worry more. "If you say so."

"One would think that after all these years you would trust me a bit more." Snape's hand reached out to tap the boys chin.

"I've told you... I trust you." Harry shifted his head away slightly.

Snape hummed softly at the words. "You are going to be late for dinner. You should head to the Great Hall."

Harry gave a nod, slowly standing as he offered a small smile. He moved forward a step, wrapping his arms tightly around his guardian.

Snape wrapped his arms around the teenager, his right hand moving a moment later to firmly tap the boys backside. "No more cheek."

"Hm." Harry pulled away after that moment, clearly making no exact promise. "Are you going to the Hall for dinner too?"

"I am not. I have some work to catch up on." The man turned back to his desk, picking up a pile of exams that needed grading.

Harry sighed, moving towards the door as he picked up his school bag. "Well I'm sure Ron thinks you've made me into ingredients by now. Do you think this weekend we can practice nonverbal spells more?"

"I think that could be arranged." Snape followed the boy towards the door. "I also think that with some practice you will master doing so."

"Hope so," Harry muttered, opening the office door with a faint grin. "Love you."

"I love you too." Snape's hand rested gently on the boys back. "Now go on. Go have fun with your friends."