June - Harry, age 12

Snape sat in his armchair with a book in his hands. His eyes moved from the words to his child who was relaxing on the couch, a Quidditch magazine in his hands. A look of content settled on Snape's face as he went back to his reading.

They had been home for the summer for nearly a month and somehow, Harry had managed to keep himself out of trouble completely. The child had even spent the last two days at the Burrow without even an inkling of misbehavior. At the end of the school year, the boy had found himself in quite a bit of trouble for running headlong into a dangerous situation. Snape had found himself in a position where he had little choice but to make good on his threat of taking his belt to the child. Although he had barely touched him with it, the act alone appeared to have made some sort of lasting impression. Snape had initially felt horrible about punishing Harry in such a way, however, he could not ignore the fact that it had worked.

He turned a page of his book as he leaned back a bit further in his chair. The thought crossing his mind that he would allow Harry to help him with a potion later as a reward of sorts for such excellent behavior.

Harry shifted on the couch, lying further down on his back as he stared to his magazine. He hardly saw the words as he simply stared at the pages, only flipping to the next one every few minutes. His mind was elsewhere, back to the Burrow.

The Weasleys had gotten their car back.

Really, Harry knew Mr. Weasley was lucky to have it back. Lucky to still even have his job thanks to what he and Ron had done. But this time with them having it back, the twins had been so insistent that fly he and Ron around while their parents were away.

Harry released a breath, slowly closing his magazine and staring up to the ceiling. He had wanted to tell Snape the day they came back, but he hadn't wanted to ruin the man's good mood. Or his streak of being not in trouble.

His right arm rested over his eyes, giving a soft sound. He knew he had to tell him. Snape had his ways. If he didn't say something, then something would slip, and he'd find out.

Snape looked up from his reading as he heard the child. His eyes remained on Harry for a moment before he was sure that the child was fine and went back to his reading.

A moment later he glanced up at the clock deciding that in three quarters of an hour he would invite Harry to help him in his laboratory. Giving a soft hum of content the man went back to his reading once more.

Harry remained that way for several more minutes before he moved his arm. "Dad," he spoke softly, keeping his eyes up to the ceiling. "Can we talk?"

It was too late to back out now.

Snape looked up from his book before closing it in his lap. "Of course, we can." He sat up a bit straighter.

Harry pushed himself up slowly, chewing on his bottom lip as his thoughts swarmed together. "I kinda did something, at the Burrow." Harry spared a glance up at his guardian, placing the magazine next to him.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words, willing himself to remain calm. "Did something?"

Harry studied the man, relaxing his shoulders slowly. "The Weasleys got the car back, and..." He trailed off, gaze falling down to his knees.

"Allow me to complete that sentence. You admired it from afar?" Snape eyed the child carefully.

The child swallowed, keeping his gaze down to his legs as he idly ran a thumb over the knee of his jeans. "I didn't really do anything myself," he muttered softly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley went out and the twins were watching us and..." Harry sighed, leaning into the back of the couch. "They really insisted we take a small drive around. They drove!" He was quick to clarify. "Ron and I were in the back."

Snape was silent for several long moments as he digested the information. He was not quite sure why his child was telling him this. Clearly, they had not been caught and if Molly and Arthur were not present when this occurred obviously, they would not be caught. "I see," Snape finally breathed. "Quite dangerous, Harry James." The man refrained from calling the child over to him.

Harry pulled a leg up, wrapping his arms around it tightly as he perched his chin on the knee. "I didn't really want to."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy's words. "Then why did you?"

It was then that he offered a shrug towards the man. "They kept saying it'd be okay…Ron was even fine with it."

Snape hummed softly. "Why is it that you are telling me about this? Are you fearful that you would be caught?"

Harry's gaze fell briefly before raising back up to Snape. "I mean, you always find out somehow. Thought…thought it'd be best if I told you." His voice trailed off slowly, chewing on his bottom lip once more.

Snape was silent as he digested the words. "Finally learning Harry?"

Harry's lips twitched slightly, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he nodded. "Yeah," he said softly.

Snape gave a nod of approval. "It is also important that you learn how to tell you friends when you do not want to do something."

The child nodded, tightening his hold around his legs. "I know. I'll try."

Snape hummed softly as he eyed the child. "You need to do more than try. It cannot continue to happen."

"It won't," Harry promised softly, shaking his head as he spoke. "I'm sorry." He lowered his leg back down, sighing softly as his shoulders relaxed.

Snape nodded. "What are we going to do about it happening this time?"

Well, maybe that didn't work out like he had wanted. Harry sighed heavily, looking down towards the floor as he simply shrugged a shoulder.

Snape eyed the child carefully. This was what he wanted, his child to come to him rather than try to hide things. He had been working for quite some time to get to this point.

The man cleared his throat softly. "Tell me why it was wrong, however, before you answer I will remind you not to speak to the floor."

Harry sighed, leaning forward so his arms rested down on his legs. He looked up at his guardian, perching his chin within his palm. "I could have gotten hurt," he supplied softly.

Snape nodded in reply. "You could have gotten very hurt." He forced his tone to go stern. "It had best not happen again, little boy."

"It won't." He shook his head, "swear." Harry smiled softly. "Thanks dad."

Snape gave a soft hum. "Now, shall we discuss your punishment for this?"

The child's shoulders slouched down, a look of disappointment crossing his face. He couldn't help it, he had hoped Snape would have been proud of him. Instead he was being punished. He shifted himself to lean against the arm of the couch, pulling his legs up once more. "I guess."

Snape gave the child the sternness look he could muster as he cleared his throat. "You will be assisting me with quite a difficult potion this afternoon. You will also be going to bed half an hour earlier. Are we clear?"

The look wiped from Harry's face instantly, a wide grin crossing his face. "Really? I can help with a potion?" He hardly cared about being sent to bed a little early if he was allowed to help!

"An exceedingly difficult potion young man." He raised an eyebrow at the boy. "This is a punishment, not a reward."

Harry swallowed, forcing his grin to fade down to a frown. He nodded seriously at the words. "Alright."

Snape nodded in approval as he leaned back in his chair slightly. "I am quite proud of you for coming to me and telling me the truth. I sincerely hope that this is something that will continue."

Harry sighed softly, his demeanor changing to be much more relaxed. "It will." He hummed softly, rested his head against the back cushion. He couldn't quite take his 'punishment' as a punishment…and he was glad for that.

"Very good." Snape set his book on the table beside him. "I would certainly say that this is a step in the right direction."

The child relaxed fully, laying onto his back and turning to face his guardian. "When are we going to work on the potion?"

Snape's eyes moved to the clock on the mantel. "I suppose whenever you like."

"Now?" Harry quickly sat up, pushing himself up with his hand. He was clearly eager to help with a difficult potion, and his lips twitched back into a grin.

Snape gave a nod as he sat up straighter before standing. "The same rules as always apply Harry. You will pay attention and listen to instructions."

"I always do, don't I?" Harry stood as well, stretching out slightly.

"I do not recall stating that you do not." Snape moved towards the kitchen. "It was simply a reminder."

Harry followed after Snape, trailing just a few steps behind him. "What if one day I become a potions master?" Harry folded his arms, grinning.

"That would be interesting wouldn't it?" Snape walked through the kitchen to his laboratory. "Planning on trying to take over my position?"

"Mmn, no." Harry stepped into the lab after the man, his grin remaining. "But maybe I can be an apprentice one day!"

"Perhaps." Snape moved to his supply closet, pulling several ingredients from it. "Though you certainly have an advantage over other students."

Moving over to the work bench, Harry looked over towards him. "Exactly. What type of potion are you making anyway?"

"A very powerful sleeping potion." Snape moved over to the work bench, setting the ingredients down. He leaned over, turning on a cauldron. "It is called Draught of Living Death."

"So, a sleeping potion that makes you seem dead? What's the use in that?" He looked over a few of the ingredients, making a face at a brain that was floating within a jar.

"There are many uses for it." Snape pushed a large jar full of herbs towards the boy. "I trust you recognize wormwood. You will need to use a small knife to extract the oil from it. It can go directly into the cauldron." Snape leaned down adjusting the heat once more. "This potion, for example, could be used on any creature that you needed to put to sleep."

Harry sighed as the jar was pushed towards him. He knew Snape. He knew the man already had a vial if the wormwood extract- this just had to be part of his punishment. He took out a part of the plant, grabbing the small knife as he carefully set to work. "So, what are you making it for?"

"I do not have any in stock at the moment." Snape watched the child work carefully. "I like to make sure I have everything in stock as one never knows what will be needed and when."

Harry listened idly as he continued to remove the oil from several of the herbs before he added it in carefully. "Is there an antidote for it then?"

Snape nodded, his eyes never leaving Harry's work. "The Wiggenweld Potion works as an antidote." He hummed softly. "You are doing quite a good job with that."

"Thanks." He grinned, taking a few more hens to work on them. "So, you had to run out somehow. What did you use it on?"

"I did not use it on anything. A blasted first year knocked it off a shelf in my classroom at the end of the school year." Snape adjusted the heat on the cauldron once more. "I have an extensive list of potions that I will need to complete this summer. This was one of the more difficult ones."

"Can I help with more?" He paused in his own work for a brief moment to glance up to the man. "Please?" Harry didn't pause long, adding more of the oil to the cauldron.

"I suppose that you could." Snape tapped the table next to Harry's hands. "Another three or four of those and that will be enough I believe."

Harry's gaze shifted briefly to Snape's hand before nodding in understanding. "Okay." He swallowed, simply falling silent as he worked in the next few. Releasing a breath, he added in the final bit of the oil. "There."

Snape picked up a large jar, placing it down in front of Harry. "Asphodel." He removed the lid from the jar before motioning to the grinder to the side of the child. "Grind several of the roots down to powder. It can go directly into the cauldron as well."

Placing the small knife to the side, Harry adjusted himself on the seat before he pulled the grinder in front of him. He took a few pieces of the root, carefully being sure that while he ground it up that none fell out.

He couldn't help but grin to himself as he added the first bit of powder into the cauldron. The child worked silently, grabbing a few more roots to continue his work.

"Very good." Snape gave a nod as he leaned down adjusting the heat on the cauldron. A moment later, he stood up straight once more. "I am quite impressed by your level of concentration and attention to detail."

Harry continued to grin happily, leaning over slightly and folding his arms. "You know I don't like messin' up."

"I am aware of that. All the same, I am impressed by it." The man motioned to a wooden spoon. "Grind down a few more roots and then you can stir for several moments."

Sitting back down properly, he took several more roots and started to grind them down as well. Harry added the remaining powder before picking up the spoon. "All clockwise, right?"

Snape nodded as he adjusted the heat on the cauldron. "Always clockwise, unless it is otherwise stated."

Nodding in understanding, Harry leaned up slightly to stir the potion at a better angle. His eyes fell to the liquid within the cauldron, watching.

"If you put this much dedication into all your classes you would likely surpass Granger in your marks." Snape adjusted the heat once more before pushing the jar containing the brain towards the child. "Stir for a few more moments."

"I try to," Harry muttered in reply, continuing to stir and sparing a glance over at the jar that was pushed towards him.

Snape hummed softly as in reply as he adjusted the heat on the cauldron. "You may stop stirring. Cut that up into relatively small pieces and add it in."

"All of it?" Harry made a face as he looked at the brain within the jar.

Snape nodded as he reached across the workbench selecting a larger knife for the child. "All of it, please." He placed the knife down next to the jar.

The child sighed, using the large knife to take the brain out of the jar and place it down on the cutting board. "Ew," he breathed softly as he slowly started to cut into it.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the small complaint. "I am sure Lockhart would not appreciate your disgust at his brain."

Harry grinned at the words then, looking up to Snape as he continued. "This isn't his, because he just doesn't have one."

Snape chuckled softly as he leaned down adjusting the heat once more. "A very valid point." He stood up straight once more glancing at Harry's work. "Cut it up a bit smaller. No one wants to choke on a piece of sloth brain."

"Ew." He uttered once more at the idea. Yet Harry didn't complain further as he did as instructed.

"It could be worse," Snape watched the child as he worked. "I warned you that this would be difficult."

"I didn't know I'd be making it myself though." Harry grinned up to the man as he continued to dice the brain up into small pieces. He certainly wasn't blind, he noticed Snape hadn't been adding anything himself.

"I was not aware that I have ever taken part in assisting you with any of your punishments." Snape watched the child work carefully. "Aside from that you are doing a fine job on your own."

"Well. You said I'd be assisting you." Harry grinned as he started to add the diced brain into the cauldron.

"If you would prefer to adjust the heat while I make the potion that can be arranged." Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy.

"No," Harry quickly replied, shaking his head as he continued to slowly add the pieces in before lowering the board back down. "I enjoy it."

Snape hummed softly at the boy's words. "Cut up that last piece please." He pointed to the last small piece of the brain.

Harry did so, being sure to dice it up into small pieces before he stood slightly to be able to add it all to the cauldron. "There." He hummed softly, grinning towards the man.

Snape pushed a jar of beans towards the child. "Those are sopophorous beans. You need the juice from thirteen of them." Snape picked up a small silver dagger placing it in front of Harry. "When you need the juice from these it is important to remember that it is much more effective to crush them rather than to cut them."

Harry nodded as he took hold of one of the beans. He picked up a knife, carefully crushing the bean and then holding it over the cauldron, the boy squeezed the juice out.

"Well done." Snape nodded as he adjusted the heat on the cauldron once more. "I am quite impressed little boy."

Harry hummed at the words, sitting back down on the stool. "Thanks Snape." He continued on with crushing each bean, leaning up each time to add in the juice.

"You are welcome." Snape nodded. "Once you have all the juice in there you will need to stir once more."

The child continued on for several minutes, taking his time to be sure to not mess up on his task. After a moment he pushed the silver dagger back towards his guardian carefully.

Picking up the wooden spoon, he started to stir the potion once more.

Snape leaned over a bit, peering into the cauldron. He gave an approving nod at the sight of the potion. "Stir that for another minute and then as long as it turns a pale lilac color and then changes to clear, you will have been successful."

Harry nodded, silently counting backwards from sixty to be sure he stirred for exactly one more minute. His mouth moved silently as he counted before he stopped stirring completely.

Snape peered into the cauldron watching as the potion changed to the perfect shade. "You continue to impress me, young man."

Harry's lips curled into a grin, looking at the potion himself. "I did it right?" He beamed up to the man, clearly proud of himself.

"It is perfect." Snape nodded. "One teaspoon and you would likely sleep for a week straight." The man reached a hand out gently squeezing Harry's shoulder.

Harry's grin remained as he stood from his stool. "Now you can say a soon to be third year... made this potion."

"I could at that." Snape turned the cauldron off. "As I said, Harry, you continue to impress me." The man glanced at the clock on the wall. "I think perhaps it is time for some dinner."

"Okay." He agreed softly, moving to push the stool in and glancing over the potion one last time. "Thanks, Dad." It was still new for Harry to refer to Snape in such a way, and after doing so earlier in the year, Harry found that it happened much easier.

"You are very welcome." Snape placed a hand on the boy's shoulder once more, gently guiding him towards the door. "Go wash your hands. You were touching brains among other things."

With a grin, Harry stepped away from Snape to step out of the lab. "Alright, alright." He quickly stepped to the kitchen sink, turning on the water with his wrist so he could wash his hands.

"Such a terrible punishment, Snape."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy's words. As he walked past him, he landed a light, playful swat to his jean clad backside. "Watch your cheek." The man sat down at the table and tapped it causing their dinner to appear. "Do not forget that you are also going to bed early this evening."

Harry scrubbed at his hands before drying them off, grinning over his shoulder towards Snape. "I know." He moved away from the sink, stepping over to the table and sitting at his normal spot next to his guardian.

"If you are going to mock me for being lenient, I can certainly refrain from doing so next time." Snape picked up his fork eyeing the boy carefully. "I could easily chop you up and use you for ingredients."

For a split-second Harry's grin faded before it returned at full force at the last words. "You'd miss me too much."

Snape hummed softly as he cut a piece of his roast. "I would at that."

The child fell silent then, eating at his own dinner at a steady pace. Even despite having to go to bed early, it was the softest of punishments. Plus, he had been able to help make that potion! That almost made it completely worth it.

Snape was halfway through his meal before he cleared his throat softly. "I think later this week I may need to travel for some ingredients."

Harry paused, lowering his fork down slightly. "Can I go with you?" He offered, a hopeful loon crossing his face.

"We shall see." Snape picked up his glass, taking a long swallow. "I have to travel all the way to Ireland."

"Ireland?" Harry grinned at the words, taking another bite of his meal. "Please let me go!"

"We shall see," Snape repeated his words. "It will be a long day of traveling."

"What would I be stuck at Hogwarts if you didn't take me?" His grin faded away at the thought, shoulders slouching down slightly.

Snape nodded. "Or Minerva may be able to come stay with you." Snape took another long drink. "Perhaps I could even speak with the Wesley's about you staying with them if you can refrain from flying in cars."

"I wouldn't even go near the car." Harry quickly assured the man, taking a few more final bites of his meal before taking a long drink of water.

"We shall see. Allow me time to think it over." Snape couldn't help but think that if there was ever a trip that Harry could accompany on this was it. The trip would hardly be dangerous at all.

He gave a nod at the words, pushing his plate away slightly after placing his cup back down. "Kay," Harry muttered softly. He certainly wasn't about to argue with the man. He didn't want to ruin any chance he had in joining Snape on the trip.

Snape ate the last of his meal before tapping the table causing it to clear itself. "Are you having dessert this evening or are you full?"

"Dessert please." Harry grinned as he shifted on the chair to sit up slightly straighter.

Snape hummed softly as he tapped the table causing a small bowl of dessert to appear.

"Thanks Snape." Harry hummed as he took the spoon and ate the first bite of dessert.

"You are welcome." Snape nodded. "When you have finished that you can take a shower and get yourself to bed."

The child sighed, resting his cheek on his other palm and he ate the dessert a bit slower at those words. Now that it was approaching, he really wasn't all that tired.

Snape nearly found himself chuckling at how much slower the child began to eat. "I assume that you are not very tired yet?"

"Not really." Harry muttered in return, his gaze remaining down as he ate another spoonful.

Snape was silent for a long moment before clearing his throat softly. "You may continue reading your Quidditch magazine for a half of an hour when you are done that ice cream but then you are absolutely taking a shower and going to bed. Are we clear?"

His small frown turned to a grin at the words, although Harry bowed his head slightly in a small attempt to hide it. Really there was no punishment at all!

"Thanks." He finally looked up, returning to eating the ice cream at a normal pace.

Snape practically rolled his eyes at the reaction. He was sure he was spoiling the child rotten. "Do not think for a moment that you are going to dawdle in the shower either."

"I wasn't…but maybe I am now?" A slight cheeky tone entered Harry's voice as he grinned at Snape, taking several more bites.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "Do not for a moment think that I will not bathe you like a naughty six-year-old."

Harry's shoulders slouched slightly at the words, releasing a sigh as he looked back to the ice cream. He finished the last few bites before pushing the bowl away. "You wouldn't though...I'm not even doin' anything wrong."

"I would if you dawdle in the shower for too long." Snape tapped the table causing it to clear before he stood and started towards the parlor. "Actions like that also certainly would not convince me that you are mature enough to travel to Ireland with me."

"Well, I won't then." Harry paused in following Snape once the man entered the parlor. "I'll go ahead and go. You'll still come in to say goodnight?" He turned to the stairs, looking over at Snape.

"Of course." Snape gave a nod as he sat down in his armchair, picking up his book from earlier once more.

Harry narrowed his eyes slightly in thought. Originally, he planned on staying within the parlor to read for that thirty minutes, but the idea of giving Hedwig some proper attention had come to his mind.

He disappeared up the stairs, going into his room to grab a pair of pajamas. Harry grinned as he moved over to the window and opened it wide to allow the snowy owl fly from the tree and into the room.

She hooted softly, fluttering over to her perch while Harry passed to go into the bathroom.

Snape opened his book, attempting to read for several moments before closing it once more.

The trip to Ireland was weighing heavily on the man's mind. He was leaning heavily towards allowing the boy to accompany him. A part of him would have liked to tell Harry the moment that he was out of the shower. However, he couldn't help but wonder if holding off in doing so until the trip was closer would cause the child to behave until then.

Snape set his book on the table beside him as he leaned back in his chair, waiting until he heard the shower turn off.

It was near fifteen minutes later before the water shut off, Harry leaving the bathroom after a few more minutes dressed into the pajamas.

Tossing his other clothes into the hamper, he moved to his bed and sat within the middle of it. "Hedwig." The teen held his arm out, which she instantly took flight and carefully landed on his arm.

Lowering the arm down, Harry gently nudged Hedwig to his lap and started to stroke the feathers around the owl's neck. Hope filled the teen. He would love to go to Ireland with Snape, and as much as he loved staying with the Weasleys, it would be nice to get away for a little with his guardian.

Snape waited for several moments after he heard the shower turn off before he stood and made his way upstairs. Pausing outside of the child's bedroom door, his knuckles tapped on it twice. When he heard Harry reply, the man pushed the door open, pleased to see Harry spending time with his pet.

"I have not seen her in your room for quite some time." The man moved across the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed. "She must have been missing the extra attention."

"Yeah." Harry smiled softly as he ran his hand down Hedwig's back. "I'll keep her in tonight." He decided, nodding his head slightly as he looked up towards Snape.

Snape gave a nod in reply. "That will be fine. I am sure she will enjoy that." Snape reached a hand out, gently tapping the top of Harry's foot. "Just see to it that you let her out early enough so she can spread her wings a bit."

"I will," Harry assured him as he looked down to his pet. "If you let me come to Ireland, can she come with us?"

"We shall see." Snape stood and moved across the room, closing the window that Harry had left open. "Do not stay up tonight playing with her."

"I won't." He shook his head at the words, smiling softly. "Thanks Dad…for not getting mad or anything."

"Angry about what exactly?" Snape walked back across the room and once more sat on the edge of the boy's bed.

"About the car thing." Harry lowered his gaze back down to Hedwig, who's eyes were closed and crooning softly.

Snape hummed softly at the reply. "I was and am disappointed that you would do such a thing. However, you are correct, I am not angry."

Lips turned up into a small grin, the teen sparing a glance up. "Tomorrow can we make another potion?" He laid back onto the bed, Hedwig fluttering up to her perch.

"If you behave yourself, perhaps." Snape stood as he pulled the blankets up over the boy's shoulders. "I do not see why we could not."

Harry rolled onto his side, nestling his cheek against his pillow with a hum. "I always try to be on my best behavior."

"Is that so?" Snape raised an eyebrow as he leaned down, his hand gently brushing against Harry's back for a fleeting moment.

"Yeah." He rolled over fully into his stomach, eyes fluttering closed as he released a soft sigh.

Snape swallowed a smile as he sat on the edge of the bed once more, his hand now rubbing the boy's back. "If I did not say it earlier, I am quite proud of you for being honest with me earlier today."

"Thanks," Harry hummed softly, turning slightly so his back slightly faced Snape better. "You know I hate lying."

Snape hummed as his fingers brushed over the child's shoulder blades. "I know. I do not think that your rear end is too fond of you lying either."

"No," Harry quickly agreed, his arms tucking under his pillow as he released a sigh.

Snape's hand continued to move along the boy's back as he waved his free hand causing the room to darken. "Why the sigh?"

"Hm?" He shifted slightly before his shoulders relaxed completely. "Oh…no reason. It's just been a pretty good day."

Snape gave a soft hum in reply. "It has at that." His mind once more drifted to the idea of the child joining him in Ireland.

Harry blinked a few times before giving up and allowing his eyes to close once more. "Love you," he breathed softly, tightening his hold against his pillow.

"I love you too," Snape said softly as his fingertips brushed across the boy's shoulder blades once more. "Sleep well."