August - Harry, age 8
Snape walked out of his bedroom, peering into Harry's room. The man was not surprised to find that Harry was already out of bed. Even in the summer months, the child rarely slept in. Snape was surprised, however, to find Harry's bed unmade and his pillow on the ground. Aside from that several toys were on the floor.
The man frowned as he walked down the hall towards the staircase. Snape did not give the child many chores. He did, however, expect that Harry made his bed each morning and cleaned up when he was done with something.
The man stepped onto the first floor, nearly tripping over a small plastic dragon. The man swallowed hard, forcing his annoyance with the situation down. He could hear the child in the kitchen, likely attempting to fix his own breakfast.
In the past two weeks, Harry had decided that he could do it on his own and Snape had agreed to allow it as long as he did not touch the stove and cleaned up after himself.
The man stepped into the kitchen noting that trainers that the boy had been wearing the day before were in the doorway.
Harry leaned up on the counter, his tongue sticking out slightly as he used a dull knife to spread the jam over his toast. "Perfect!" He hummed as he placed the utensil into the sink and moved to the table with his plate of toast.
He looked over to Snape as the man stepped in, his grin remaining. "Mornin!" Harry pulled his glass of juice towards himself, taking a sip.
"Good morning." Snape's moved across the room, sitting down at the table. "Did you sleep well?" The man picked up the morning paper, his eyes scanning the front page.
"Mhmm." Harry nodded as he took a few bites of his toast. "Can we do something today too? Maybe go out to eat for lunch?"
"I think that could be arranged." Snape flipped the paper open, raising it to cover his face as he began reading. "However, before we go anywhere you have quite a few tasks to complete."
The child paused, lowering his toast down slightly as he watched Snape. "Whaaaaat?" He whined as he slouched back into his chair.
Snape lowered his paper and raised an eyebrow at the child. " Do not whine at me, please. You need to make your bed and pick up your room as well as your things around this house that are not in your room."
Harry placed his toast down completely before folding his arms over his chest. "Snape nooo," he whined as he shook his head. "I don't wanna," he huffed, looking away from the man.
"Unfortunately, at times, you must do things that you do not want to do." Snape raised his paper once more. "If you wish to go out later then you must do as I have asked you to."
The child glared down to his plate, keeping his arms folded as he released a loud huff once more. "Why do I have to?"
"I nearly tripped over your toy at the bottom of the stairs." Snape's eyes remained on his paper. "Furthermore, it is your responsibility to clean up your room."
"It's my room," Harry pointed out as he ignored the part about the toy at the stairs completely. "It'll get messy anyway!"
"Yes, it is." Snape turned a page of his paper. "And my rule is that when it gets messy, you will clean it." The man moved one hand to tap the table, causing a cup of tea to appear.
"But I'll play with those toys later tonight. And I sleep in my bed anyway!" Harry still remained in his seat, arms folded. It was true, what was the point?
"And I asked you to do something and I expect it to be done." Snape refrained from commenting on the child's cheek. "Finish your breakfast and then go and get it done please."
"I'm done." Harry proclaimed as he stood from his chair. He stomped his feet as he moved to the stairs, stepping over the plastic dragon. Of course, Snape would ruin his perfectly good day!
Snape cringed at the sound of the boy stomping his feet. The man found himself unable to refrain from commenting on it. "Stop with your tantrum little boy or you are going to find yourself over my knee," Snape called after the child loudly.
"I'm not throwin' a tantrum!" Harry called back as he ascended up the stairs. He went into his room, the door shutting loudly behind him as he glared down to the floor.
It was no use in any of this! He'd be sleeping in his bed tonight anyway, and Snape had magic! If it was that important, Snape could have done it in one second. Instead, Harry only moved and sat on his bed, continuing to pout and glare down to his covers.
Snape nearly stood and went after the child but he forced himself to remain where he was. Tantrum aside, if Harry cleaned his room and made his bed the man would allow it to go.
His eyes scanned his paper as he turned the page once more.
Harry remained on his bed, having at one point grabbed a few toys to play while he passed the time. He bet Snape didn't even make his own bed—that he used magic! The child huffed at the thought. It wasn't fair. It was his room!
Nearly forty minutes passed before Snape stood. He walked out of the kitchen and towards the staircase, his eyes lingering on the toy at the bottom of the staircase as a frown formed on his lips.
The man climbed the staircase hoping that Harry had done as he was told and made his bed as well as cleaned his room.
The man knocked once on Harry's bedroom door before pushing it open, his frown deepening. "Apparently we are not going out for lunch then?"
Harry looked up as his door opened, frowning at the words as Snape stepped in. "You're not being fair!" He scowled at the man. "It's my room, I like it like this." He looked around the room for a moment before looking back to Snape.
Snape stepped further into the room. "You know my rules. You are to pick up after yourself when you are done playing. You did not do so and now you need to clean your room and make your bed."
"You don't make your own bed I bet." Harry scowled to the man as he remained in place upon his bed. "I bet you use magic to do it."
"When I was your age I was made to make my bed and clean up my room daily." Snape moved across the room, stopping next to Harry's bed. "I noticed that you did not pick up your toy at the bottom of the staircase."
The child looked back to the toy griffin he had on the bed, shrugging as he picked it back up. "I'll get it later."
"Harry," Snape spoke the name firmly as he leaned down tapping his fingertips against the boy's knee. "It will all be done this morning before we go out."
Harry shifted his knee, glaring towards Snape's hand as he did so. "I can do it when we get back."
"You can just as easily do it now." Snape's tone was unrelenting.
"I don't want to." He countered back, appearing unfazed by Snape's tone as he moved the griffin around.
"When I ask you to do something, I expect that you do it. You know that Harry." Snape's tone remained firm as he leaned down and tapped the small chin firmly. "It is your responsibility to take care of your things."
"I said I will later." Harry moved his head away, finally looking up and glaring at the man. "I don't have to right now, you just want me to."
Snape fixed the child with his own glare as his eyes narrowed on the child. He could give Harry a small bit of leniency. "Fine. You may do it all later this afternoon." The man once more reached out and tapped the boy's chin, a bit more firmly this time. "If it is not done today little boy anything that is on the floor is going to be mine and that backside of yours is not going to be happy. Are we clear?"
"But it's all mine." Harry frowned as he shifted his head away and simply placed his toy down. "We're still going out? Pleaase?"
"It is all yours." Snape nodded as he stood up straight once more. "However, when you do not take proper care of your things they will become mine until I feel that you are ready to care for them."
Harry continued to stare at the top of his sheets, lower lip pouting out as Snape spoke. "We're still going to lunch?" Harry repeated, deciding to avoid Snape's words.
Snape nodded. "We can go to lunch." The man found himself hoping that he was making the right decision. That Harry would come back from lunch and do as he had asked.
Harry grinned at the words, looking back up to Snape. "Thanks." He pushed himself up, leaving the toy on the bed as he stood.
Snape hummed softly as he turned and moved towards the boy's bedroom door. "Just remember your words, please."
The child hummed in equal response as he followed Snape, his grin remaining. He was thrilled Snape was still fine with going out! The thought of having to clean completely left his mind.
Snape walked down the hall with the child a step behind him. "I believe I saw your trainers in the kitchen doorway." The man somehow managed to keep the annoyance out of his tone.
Harry nodded, clearly not finding an issue with that as he moved ahead of the man and down the stairs. He moved to the kitchen entrance, picking up his trainers before moving to the couch to put them on.
Snape watched the child carefully as he cleared his throat. "Where would you like to go for lunch?"
"The Leaky Cauldron?" He offered, adjusting the laces on the shoes before he stood.
Snape nodded in agreement as he moved towards the fireplace, picking up a handful of Floo powder. "The Leaky Cauldron sounds just fine."
Harry followed and stood next to Snape's side, leaning against him slightly as he closed his eyes. As much as he loved going places, it still twisted his stomach when they used the floo.
Snape wrapped a gentle hand around the child before stepping into the fireplace and dropping the floo powder at their feet.
A moment later the pair stepped into The Leaky Cauldron. "Before we sit and eat I want to walk down to the Apothecary. There are a few ingredients I need to pick up."
Harry glanced around the building before he grinned up to the man. He wasn't about to complain about spending more time out! "Okay!" He pulled away from Snape's side as he started to lead the way out.
Snape followed the child towards the exit, a moment later stepping outside. "Don't walk too far ahead." Snape headed in the direction of the Apothecary, keeping a watchful eye on the child.
"I wooon't!" He called over his shoulder as he continued to walk ahead of the man, turning to watch Snape. "You're just walking sloooow."
"Watch that cheek." Snape raised an eyebrow as they approached the Apothecary.
"I'm not bein' cheeky." Harry moved to the door, opening it and pausing so Snape could step in as well.
Snape hummed softly as he stepped inside the store with the child at his side. "Stay with me please." Snape's moved down the first aisle, stopping to look at the herbs.
The child paused a few steps down a separate isle, sighing loudly as he moved back to Snape. "I won't touch anythiiing," he whined, looking at the shelves as he started to move away once more. He could handle being away from Snape!
"This store is large and I will only be a moment." Snape plucked a package from the shelf before moving further down the aisle. "I do not want to lose you in here."
"I won't go far." Harry remained several feet down the aisle, looking at the jars that lined the shelves with odd creatures or parts.
Snape looked over at the child before picking up a glass container from the shelf in front of him. "No, you will not because you will be staying with me."
Harry only huffed at the words, continuing to walk a few steps further. Snape was still in view! And he had been in the store before. He was fine!
Snape approached the end of the aisle, looking back at his child. "Come now, Harry. Unless you would rather go home?"
"Nooo." Harry rolled his eyes as he turned back, frowning as he went back towards Snape. His shoulders slouched down as he folded his arms, staring down to the floor of the shop.
"Thank you." Snape placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder as he turned and walked around to the next aisle. "I am nearly done here." The man's eyes scanned over a shelf full of glass jars containing blood from various creatures.
He kept his arms folded, eyes shifting to look down the aisle before up at the jars in front of them. "I wanna look around."
Snape pulled two of the jars from the shelf before looking down at the boy. "Very well. What would you like to look at?"
"Just around. I like this store." Harry started to lead down the next aisle, looking around at the smaller jars with powder and others with types of plants within them.
Snape followed closely behind the child, his eyes scanning over the rows and rows of ingredients. The man refrained from reminding the child not to touch anything.
"I wanna help make a potion again." The child reached forward, moving a jar around slowly to look at the items within better.
"Maybe tomorrow." Snape watched the child carefully, biting his tongue as the child touched the glass jar.
Harry moved on, running his hand lightly over a few items before dropping it back down to his side. "M'kay." He hummed.
"In a week or so we will need to go school shopping for you." Snape followed closely behind the boy as he turned down the next aisle.
"Noooo." He stopped mid-step, looking back to Snape with a scowl. "I don't wanna go back to schoool, Snape. Let me just come to Hogwarts."
"Are we going to need to discuss that whine today?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "You will go to Hogwarts when you are eleven. You know that."
"It's dumb though," Harry muttered softly, finally starting to head to the shop door.
"Regardless of your feelings towards it, you will remain there until you turn eleven." Snape followed behind the child. "Your education is important."
Harry paused at the shelves near the door, very carefully picking up a small jar and looking closer into it. "I'm smart enough."
"You are very smart." Snape waited patiently as the child examined the contents of the jar. "However, there is always more to learn."
He placed it back, looking up to Snape then. "'M ready to go." Harry's eyes wandered around once more before giving a deciding nod.
Snape nodded as he reached past the boy, pushing the door open. "Lunch and then home."
Harry grinned as he stepped out into the street, running forward several steps before pausing and looking back to Snape.
Snape gave a nod of approval at the boy's actions as they approached The Leaky Cauldron. "Perhaps you would like to spend a few days at Hogwarts before summer is over?"
"Yes!" Harry bounced up slightly as Snape caught up before leading forward towards the Leaky Cauldron. He pulled the door open, stepping in and holding it out for Snape.
Snape stepped in behind the boy, allowing the door to close behind him. He placed a gentle hand on the back of Harry's neck, leading him over to a booth next to a large window that overlooked the street.
He pushed himself up onto the booth, grinning still to Snape before he looked out the window. "I can't wait to start Hogwarts."
"Just three more years. I am sure it will be here before you know it." Snape slid into the seat across from the boy.
Harry shifted in his seat slightly, resting his head in his palm as he looked back to Snape. "Can I have shepherd's pie? Please?"
Snape nodded as he alerted a waitress. "Shepherd's pie sounds like a fine choice."
The child continued to grin, folding his arms together as he swung his legs idly as Snape placed their order. "Can we play Exploding Snap tonight?"
Snape nodded as the waitress approached the table. "If you complete what you need to and we still have enough time."
"Uuuugh." The child slouched slightly in his seat, falling silent as their order was placed with the waitress. He waited until the woman left away from the table before Harry looked back at Snape with a pout. "What do I have to dooo?"
Snape raised an eyebrow at the child, refraining from commenting on his whining. "We already discussed this. Your bed needs to be made, your room needs to be cleaned, and the toys that you have downstairs need to be picked up and put away in your room."
"Why though? I'll just mess up my bed in a few hours." Harry pointed out as he frowned down towards the table.
Snape held the child's stare for a long moment as he thought over the words. Harry did have a point and it would be afternoon before they were home. "Fine. You do not have to make your bed however, your room will be cleaned and your toys downstairs will be picked up and put away."
Snape fell silent as the waitress reappeared, setting down their drinks. He thanked her before looking back at his child. "That was the deal. We would come out to lunch and when we got home you would clean up your things."
Harry pulled his drink closer to himself, taking a small sip before placing it back down carefully. "I didn't say when we got hooome, I said lateeer."
"Before bed tonight." Snape gave the child a serious look before picking up his glass and taking a drink.
Harry didn't respond at that, simply taking another sip before lowering his hands to his lap. He didn't see the big deal. Well, maybe the toys downstairs. But why his room?
"You know that keeping your room clean and taking care of your things is your responsibility." Snape eyed the boy carefully.
"Yeah." Harry nodded, leaning back in his chair and looking up to Snape. "It's just my room, so why is it so important?"
"It is important because you need to take care of your things." Snape's took another swallow of his drink. "If you cannot do so then you do not need to have them."
The man fell silent as the waitress placed their food on the table.
The child sat up properly, picking up his fork and taking the first bite of his shepherd's pie. "I do take care of them!"
"Leaving them all over the floor is not taking care of them." Snape's picked up his fork.
Harry took another bite, frowning after swallowing and taking a long sip of his drink. "But I'll take them out later."
"I am not going to keep discussing this." Snape took a bite of his food, pausing for several moments as he chewed and swallowed. "I have asked you to clean your room and pick up your things downstairs and I expect you to do so."
Harry simply fell quiet, deciding to not respond to the words. Instead, Harry focused on enjoying his meal. He didn't want to argue while they were out.
Snape ate several more bites of his lunch before having another swallow of his drink. "How is your shepherd's pie?"
"Really good," Harry muttered softly, keeping his gaze down on his plate as he ate another bite. "I wanna learn how to make shepherd's pie."
"Perhaps one of these days." Snape ate another bite of his meal as he looked out the window at the people passing by.
"I'll pick up the toys downstairs," Harry finally muttered, pushing another bite around on his plate before eating it.
"Very good." Snape nodded before eating another bite of his meal. "And when you take them up to your room, you can clean that as well."
Harry swallowed, glancing back up to Snape. "No," he whispered, pushing his food around once more.
"No is not an option I am afraid." Snape ate the last few bites of his meal as he gave the child a serious look.
"It should be," Harry responded, continuing to take small bites as he looked down to his plate.
"You are certainly allowed to think so, however it is not." The man picked up his glass and took a long drink.
Harry took the last few bites of his meal, taking a swallow of his drink before pushing the glass away from himself. "Well, I'm not gonna."
Snape's lips set in a tight line as he waved a hand alerting the waitress that he was ready for the check. "Then you know what consequence to expect."
"Snaaaape!" He whined, not caring as the waitress approached with their bill. The child frowned at the unsaid threat. It just wasn't fair!
Snape paid the waitress, waiting until she left before he responded to the child. "I do not want to hear that whine. We had an agreement."
Harry folded his arms, frowning as he stared down to the table. He didn't want to be punished for something he just didn't want to do.
"Are we ready then?" Snape's reached across the table, tapping the boy's arm gently.
"No." He shook his head, his frown remaining as he spared his eyes up to Snape.
"Did you want dessert?" The man absolutely refused to give in to the child's antics.
Harry shook his head, blinking several times before he glanced outside the window. Any other time, he would have leaped at the idea. But right then? His appetite was disappearing.
"Then it is time that we go." Snape stood, waiting for the child to do the same.
"Snape," Harry's shoulders slouched down as he looked back to the man, remaining in his seat. "Can't we stay out? Please?"
"We cannot. We have eaten lunch which is what we set out to do and now it is time to go." The man leaned over, tapping the boy's shoulder firmly.
He frowned as his shoulder was tapped, slowly moving from his seat and standing. His arms folded over his chest as he glared down to the floor. "Whatever."
"I could do without the cheek." Snape placed a gentle hand on the back of the boy's neck, guiding him towards the door.
"You always think I'm bein' cheeky! Even if I'm not." Harry walked by Snape's side, arms remaining folded.
"I must imagine it then." Snape led the child out the door and down the street.
"You do." He nodded, blinking several times as he took in a breath. "I just wanna stay out today."
"Where is it that you would like to go?" Snape looked down at the child. "I will allow one more shop."
"Wait, really?" Harry paused in his steps, his arms lowering to his sides as he stared up at Snape. A small grin crossed his lips. "Can we go see the animals? I wanna see the owls."
"You will have a quarter of an hour in there. Is that an agreement?" Snape looked down at the child with a serious face.
The child stared back at Snape, nearly challenging before he sighed. "Okay," he whispered, looking back down the alley.
Harry remained by Snape's side as they walked until the shop came into view. His smile returned and he ran forward, pausing in front of the glass to peer into the building. A few owls outside hooter towards him before resting once again.
Snape watched the boy peering through the window as he walked over to the front door. A moment later he cleared his throat loudly. "Ready to go inside?"
"Mhm!" The child moved away from the window and to the door, stepping in and immediately going over to where several owls were located.
Snape moved towards the child as he watched him intently. "You know, I think that when it is time to get you an owl you will be an excellent owner."
"You really think so?" Harry looked over to Snape with his grin remaining wide. "I can't wait and it'll be the best owl ever too."
"I absolutely think so." Snape walked over to stand next to the boy. "There is not a doubt in my mind."
"I don't get why people don't get an owl—they're the best." He moved down, looking at some of the smaller owls.
"Different people have different tastes." Snape's eyes moved down the line of owl cages.
"But a toad compared to an owl? A bat would be kinda cool though, or a snake." Harry glanced over to where a few bats hung above them, clearly asleep for the day.
"As I said, different people have different tastes. A fair number of Hogwarts students decide on a toad or even a cat rather than an owl." The man leaned down, looking at a snowy owl more carefully.
Harry glanced back towards Snape, grinning as he spotted the owl he was looking at. "I really like that one. I hope there's a snowy one here when I can have one."
"She is quite nice." Snape stood up straight once more. "They typically have snowy owls here and I am sure that will be the case in three years time."
Harry moved over, looking at the owl with a smile. "Three years is forever," He muttered, leaning into Snape's side.
Snape hummed softly as he placed a gentle hand on the child's back. "Three years will pass before you know it."
"I don't think so." He shook his head, frowning at the thought. Harry moved away once more, looking at several other creatures within the shop.
"I think that before you know it we will be getting you ready for Hogwarts." Snape leaned down once more to look more closely at a barn owl.
"I can't wait! It'll be the best day. I'll get my wand, an owl, everything." He leaned down as a kneazle passed, allowing the large feline creature to rub against his hand.
"It will be quite exciting." Snape stood up straight once more, moving over to where the child was standing. "I think that it is time for us to be going home."
Harry's shoulders slouched at the words, glancing around the building once more. He could stay all day! "Okay."
"We will come back and visit the owls soon." Snape moves towards the door, stopping to allow the child to catch up with him.
The child followed after Snape, stepping out through the door and sighing. He hated when the time to go home came—hated it even more when he had to do something at home instead of just playing.
Snape put a gentle hand on the child's shoulder as he led him back towards The Leaky Cauldron. "You are going to need a bath before bed tonight."
Harry trudged along slowly, nodding as they walked. "Okay." He leaned into Snape's side, a yawn passing his lips.
"Is a nap also in order?" They approached The Leaky Cauldron as Snape opened the door, allowing the child to walk in first.
"No." He shook his head as he stepped in, moving a few steps in before looking back to Snape.
Snape ignored the reply, nodding to several people as he moved towards the fireplace. He would not push the nap issue. He took a handful of Floo powder before taking Harry by the hand. A moment later the pair stepped out and into their own parlor.
Harry stepped into the parlor, sighing heavily as he looked back to Snape. "Wish we could of stayed out all daaaay." A hint of a whine entered his tone.
"We were out for quite a while." Snape's moved towards his desk, picking up a book that he had started the previous evening.
Harry remained in his spot for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip. On one hand, Snape hadn't told him to immediately pick up his toys. On the other, Snape did let him go look at the owls and even offered a dessert. So maybe he could have a nice one after dinner! So, Harry went over to the few toys across the floor and gathered them within his arms.
Snape gave a soft hum of approval as he walked over to his armchair, sitting down and opening his book. "A very good decision, little boy."
Harry chose to not respond as he simply disappeared up the stairs. He would at least put these up. He moved into his room, pushing some of the toys on the floor with his feet to gather them together in one spot. The toys within his arms, he placed on their proper shelves.
Snape sat and read for the next few hours. Harry remained upstairs and he hoped that the child was doing as he had been asked and cleaning his room.
The man finished a chapter before glancing up at the clock and then standing. "Harry," he called up the staircase. "It is time for dinner."
Snape walked through the parlor and into the kitchen. He sat down before tapping the table and causing their meal to appear.
Harry looked up from the several toys around him, his eyes moving towards his window as the sunlight started to dim. Evening had come.
He quickly stood, nearly tripping over his toy dragon before he left his room. "Comin'!" He called down the stairs as he started down them.
Snape waited patiently for the child to walk into the kitchen. The man found himself hoping once more that Harry had cleaned his room. He was determined that he would not question the child about it, however. He would not allow such a thing to ruin their meal.
The child stepped into the kitchen, beaming as he moved over to the table and took his usual seat next to Snape's.
Snape looked over at the child before serving himself chicken and vegetables. "Do you need help or do you think you can manage on your own?" The man held out the serving spoon to the child.
"I can do it." Harry nodded as he reached and took out the serving spoon. He bit his tongue slightly as he carefully scooped out his own serving.
"Very good." Snape nodded as he sat back in his chair. "Have a roll as well." The man picked up his fork taking a bite of his chicken.
Harry reached over, grinning as he took a roll and took a bite of it first before placing it down on his plate. Picking up his fork, he started to eat his meal. "I didn't know it got so late."
Snape nodded as he ate a bite of his vegetables. "It is even a bit late for us to be eating. I am afraid that after dinner you are going to need to take a bath and then it will be time for bed."
"But it's not that late." Harry frowned as he pushed some of his veggies around on his plate.
"You will want to play in the bath will you not?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy. "I was allowing you time for that."
"Oh," Harry fell silent for a moment, eating a few bites of his meal. "Yeah." He shrugged a shoulder, taking another bite of his roll.
"Then when you are done eating you will go get in the bath." Snape nodded before eating another bite of his chicken.
"Kay," he muttered, taking a few more bites of his chicken before a few of his veggies as well.
Snape was silent as he ate the rest of his vegetables. He was attempting to read the child; to try and tell whether he had done as he had been told to.
Harry took a long drink of his juice, finishing up his chicken and leaving just a few bites of vegetables left on his plate. He pushed it away, leaning back slightly. He hoped by the time Snape saw his room, that it would just be too late! And he wouldn't have to clean it all.
"All finished?" Snape questioned before eating the last few bites of his chicken.
"Yeah." Harry nodded as he swung his legs slightly before he leaned forward again. "Thanks."
Snape eyed the plate, noting that although he had not finished his vegetables, Harry had eaten all of his chicken. "Do you want dessert?"
"Please!" He sat up straighter within his chair, grinning at Snape widely. The day had been great so far!
Snape tapped the table twice causing Harry's dinner plate to vanish and a small bowl of chocolate ice cream to appear in its place.
Harry leaned his left arm on the table as his right hand picked up the spoon, taking a quick bite of the ice cream. He hummed happily as he took several more small bites. "Thanks, Snape."
"Your welcome." Snape tapped the table causing his own plate to disappear before picking up his cup of tea and taking a sip.
Harry paused after a few bites, yawning widely before he continued. "Can we make a potion tomorrow still?"
"I think that we can." Snape set his teacup back down on the table, fighting the urge to ask the child if he had cleaned his room.
The child nodded as he looked back to his ice cream, swirling the remaining around to get it to melt. After a few minutes, Harry hummed and started to eat the slightly melted ice cream.
"Finish your ice cream and we'll go get your bath ready." Snape's took another sip of his tea as he watched the child eat.
After several more minutes, Harry finally pushed his bowl away before he stood. Maybe he'd get by about his room.
Snape tapped the table twice causing it to clear before he stood as well. "I am anxious to see how immaculate your room is." Snape's moved out of the kitchen and through the parlor towards the staircase.
At those words, Harry's smile finally faded. He remained near the table as Snape moved away and looked down with a small frown. Snape was going to be mad. He knew he was.
Snape stopped at the bottom of the staircase as he realized that the child was not following him. "Come now please Harry. It is time for your bath."
"Okay," Harry whispered softly, finally moving forward towards Snape. He chewed on his bottom lip as his gaze fell towards the floor.
Snape raised an eyebrow as he took in the child's demeanor. He felt his annoyance with the situation grow. He did not have a doubt in his mind that the boy's room was still a mess.
The man started up the staircase with Harry a step behind him. "Am I going to be pleased when I see your room, Harry?"
Harry didn't respond, keeping his gaze down to the floor as he shrugged a shoulder. He knew Snape would be mad.
Snape stepped onto the second floor, looking back at the child before walking down the hall and into Harry's bedroom. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he saw the majority of the boy's toys still scattered all over the floor.
Harry wrung his hands together as he stayed a few steps down the hall. He cringed as he heard the sigh, moving and leaning against the wall.
Snape eyed the things on the floor, remembering his words earlier to take them all away until Harry proved he would care properly for them. The man cringed as he spotted the child's beloved owl on the floor as well. Despite knowing what it would cause he also knew that he had to stand by his words.
He gave a soft sigh as he waved his hand causing everything on the floor to vanish. "Come here please and get your pajamas."
Harry stepped over to the man, taking a step into his room before pausing. Everything was gone. He looked around his room to see if the toys were in their proper spots— they weren't.
"What? Where's my stuff?"
"As I warned you this morning if it was on the ground it is gone until I think that you can care for it properly." The man nodded towards the boy's wardrobe. "Fetch yourself clean pajamas."
Harry ignored the man's words as he looked around his room, his bed, the shelves. Where was his owl? He felt tears start to burn at the back of his eyes.
He had been playing with his owl too.
"My—my owl."
Snape walked past the child and over to the wardrobe, fetching the clean clothing himself. The man turned around as he heard the small voice. "Was your owl on the floor?"
"Maybe…I was playing with it before dinner." His shoulders slouched down a considerable amount. "S-Snape…" He looked to the man, tears blurring his vision as he watched his guardian.
Snape walked back over to the boy, clean clothing in his hand. He placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, turning him and leading him towards the bathroom. "I want you in the bath. It is getting late and now we need to have a discussion about this room of yours before you go to bed."
"But I need my owl!" Harry glanced over his shoulder as he was led away, his breath hitching a moment. As he was led into the bathroom, he rubbed at both of his eyes roughly.
Snape waved a hand, causing the bathtub to fill as they stepped into the bathroom. "You were told in no uncertain terms this morning that if you did not clean your room what was on the floor would be gone until I felt you could care for it properly and that bottom of yours would be warmed." Snape looked down at the child. "Perhaps you should not have ignored my words."
Harry rubbed at his face as he sniffed loudly, shaking his head slowly. That wasn't fair. It just wasn't! "But my owl!" He sobbed as he continued to rub under his eyes.
Snape felt horrible for the child as he forced his features to go slightly stern. "In the bath now please."
Harry took in a breath, attempting to calm himself down as he undressed and quickly stepped into the tub. A sob forced past his lips as he bowed his head down. He couldn't believe he lost his owl. Snape was just being unfair!
"Are you going to be able to calm yourself enough to properly wash your hair or do you need help?" Snape looked down at the child.
"I'll do it. Just l-leave me alone." Harry turned himself away from Snape slightly, his lower lip quivering as he stared to the water.
Snape hummed softly at the words as he turned towards the door. "A cheeky attitude is not going to help you get your owl back any faster."
The child didn't respond as he only sniffed, several small sobs shaking his shoulders. His day had turned from one of the best to one of the absolute worst. Several tears fell as he closed his eyes tightly.
Snape paused in the doorway, trying his hardest to ignore the sounds of the child's tears. "Bathe yourself properly and then come to your room and we will discuss this defiance of yours today as well as your owl."
"K-Kay," Harry whispered softly, sniffing once more as he slowly nodded. He leaned back into the water, making sure his hair got properly wet.
Snape stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him as a soft sigh escaped his lips. The man made his way down the hall and back to the child's bedroom.
Harry's movements were slow, dread and hurt filling his body as he slowly washed his hair before rinsing it out thoroughly. It just wasn't fair. Nothing Snape could say would make it fair.
His breath hitched as he sat back up, simply staring down at the water.
Snape moved over to the boy's bed as he sat on the edge of it, trying to decipher how to handle the eight-year-old's pure defiance. He was sure that keeping his owl and taking him over his knee was deserved yet he wasn't sure he could follow through with it.
The man sighed as he waited patiently for the child to join him.
Nearly half an hour passed before Harry stepped into his bedroom, his hair still mostly wet. He stared down to the floor as his arms folded over his front, slowly making his way towards his bed.
The moment that the child was close enough, Snape took a gentle hold on the small hand and pulled the boy to the spot between his knees. "I think that you and I need to have a bit of a discussion little boy."
Harry's breath hitched as he was pulled closer, raising his free hand to rub at his face. He glanced up to Snape, more tears threatening to fall at any moment. "I'm s-sorry."
"You are sorry for what exactly?" Snape raised an eyebrow as he leaned down, putting his face closer to Harry's. "For being completely defiant? For acting like a spoiled brat? Or are you simply sorry because you did not think I would follow through with my promises to you if this room was not cleaned?"
"I wasn't being a b-brat!" Harry shook his head, glaring at the words as he rubbed at a few tears that escaped. "I was just pl-playin' before we a-ate."
Snape hummed softly at the words as he was silent for a moment. His hand moved to tap the child's small chin before he cleared his throat. "Let's talk about all the things you asked me to do for you today, shall we?" The man sat up straight. "Can you tell me one?"
Harry shifted his head away slightly, glancing up to Snape with red eyes. "To go o-out," he whispered, raising a hand to rub at both eyes from under his glasses.
Snape nodded as his hand moved to carefully remove the boy's glasses from his face. Folding them, he leaned over setting them on the table beside Harry's bed. "How about to look around The Apothecary before leaving? Or to see the owls? Or to make a potion tomorrow?"
The child's breath hitched once more as he looked down to the top of Snape's knee, slowly nodding. He hadn't expected Snape to agree to all of them though.
"What did I ask you to do today?" Snape questioned softly.
"Cl-clean up," Harry responded just as soft, raising his left hand to rub at his face.
Snape hummed softly once more. "Would you like it if you asked me to do things for you and I just ignored what you said?"
"N-no," Harry shook his head as he kept his face within his hands. "But my owl!"
"What did I say this morning? If you did not clean this room up by bedtime what would happen?" Snape kept his voice gentle as his hand moved to gently tap the boy's hip.
"But it's my owl!" Harry sobbed loudly as he moved away from Snape's touch. He shook his head as he hid his face into his hands, shoulders shaking.
"That does not answer my question." Snape sighed as he reached out and hooked his hands under the boy's armpits before carefully lifting him onto his lap.
"You'd take t-things away but…" His words faded as he tucked his head into Snape's shoulder.
"That everything on the floor would be taken away and your backside would be spanked." Snape's hand moved to gently rub the boy's back. "Is that not what I said?"
Harry took in a breath before it released in a harsh sob. That just wasn't fair! It was only a few toys! Hot tears fell against Snape's shoulder before he moved his head away, shaking it.
Snape looked down at the child shaking his head. "No? That is not what I said?"
"It-It is! But—But it's n-not fair." He folded his arms across his middle, lower lip quivering as he stared to the floor.
"Why isn't it fair?" Snape's hand continued to rub the child's back. "Was the task of cleaning up your room too hard for you to do?"
"No. But I-it wasn't th-that bad! I was just playing b-before dinner!" Harry's arms tightened around his middle. "My owl…"
"Were you supposed to be playing or cleaning up your room?" Snape leaned forward in an attempt to see the boy's face.
Harry spared a glance up to Snape as he felt the man lean forward, his eyes red and blurred with tears. It lasted for just a moment before he looked back down.
"I asked you a question, Harry." Snape's fingertips tapped gently against the boy's back.
"Clean," he responded softly, shrugging a shoulder slightly.
"I reminded you more than once to do so today." Snape's hand moved to rub the child's back once more. "If you knew that and you knew what the consequences would be, why didn't you clean up your toys?"
"I was j-just havin' fun," Harry whispered, raising his right hand to brush under his eyes quickly.
"Having fun is fine but when I ask you to do something I expect it to be done." Snape's fingertips tapped gently against the boy's back once more. "We have discussed this before haven't we?"
He slowly nodded, fighting back even more tears as he closed his eyes tightly. "My owl…"
"I know." Snape nodded. "Your owl was on the floor."
"It was g-guarding ev-everythin'," Harry shook his head as he started to push himself off of Snape's lap. His evening had been completely ruined.
Snape allowed the child to stand, however his hand moved to take hold of the child's small hand. "We are not quite done discussing this just yet."
"S-Snape," Harry attempted to pull away before he relaxed his hand into Snape's.
"The remaining toys in this room will need to be picked up after you are done playing with them. When I see that you can handle that, the toys that were taken away will be returned. Is that understood?" Snape's free hand tapped the boy's chin.
"My owl though! I'm not gonna sleep without it! I'm just not!" Harry shook his head, tears slipping past and trailing down his cheeks.
Snape carefully moved the child to his side as his eyebrow rose. "Once again, I asked you a question and you have not answered it."
Harry still didn't respond as he attempted to pull away from the man. A harsh sob passed his lips as he glared down to the floor, blinking several times.
Snape looked down at the small child as he attempted to pull away. "So a spanking is not fair? Just as taking your owl is not fair?"
Harry continued to stare down, giving a small nod in agreement. None of it was fair!
Snape was silent as a small sigh escaped him. The child's tears were slowly breaking him. Still, Harry's absolute refusal to say much besides mentioning his owl was not showing that the boy was learning anything from this. "Why isn't it Harry?"
"Because—because I still would have picked them up! See!" He pointed at a few toys that had been downstairs but now rested on their proper shelves. Harry pulled his hand free of Snape's grip, folding both arms around himself.
"I believe you were told that you needed to do so by bedtime." Snape's tone was gentle as he eyed the child carefully. "You had plenty of time to do so."
"Time went fast," Harry whispered, raising his hand to once more rub his face.
"Are you telling me that you honestly had every intention of obeying and cleaning this room but you ran out of time?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the child.
It was then that Harry fell silent besides the random hitching of his shoulders. Maybe he would have.
Snape hummed softly at the silence. "Just as I expected." The man reached out and took a gentle hold of the boy's hand, pulling him a step closer. "This is not about how many toys were on the floor. This is about how when I ask you to do something, I expect you to do it. This is about taking responsibility for your things."
Harry continued to stare down towards his feet as Snape pulled him closer once more. His breathing hitched as he pulled his hand free once more.
Snape's hands moved to easily lower the child's pajama pants. "You repeatedly told me today that you were not going to clean this room, despite my telling you the consequences."
The child only sobbed harder as he raised his hands to hide his face within his palms. "I'm s-sorry!"
"I am sure that you are." Snape carefully guided the child over his knee. "Perhaps you should have listened earlier."
Harry's right hand gripped at Snape's pant leg as he was tipped over, a hard sob shaking his back. His day had been completely ruined! It had gone so well.
Snape nearly hooked his fingers into the child's underpants but quickly thought better of it. He was certain that the boy already got the point, allowing him to keep his backside covered would not falter that.
Snape's left arm wrapped tightly around the small middle as he raised his right hand and brought it down in a stinging smack on his target.
A yelp passed the child's lips at the first smack, a hard sob shaking his back. He buried his head into his left arm.
It was the worst possible way to end such a great day! On top of this as well, his toys and owl were taken away. He shook his head, rubbing away several tears before they were quickly replaced.
Two more stinging smacks followed the first before Snape found a rhythm and began spanking in earnest. "When I ask you to clean this room I expect it to be done. Is that clear?"
After a few more smacks, the child kicked a leg up as a particularly loud sob escaped. "O-okay!" He coughed into his arm before simply bowing his head down.
"I never want this to happen again." Snape landed a hard swat to each of the child's sit spots. "Is that clear?"
Harry nodded as he sobbed loudly, sniffing as he raised his left hand to rub at his face. Several tears dripped from the bottom of his chin as he tried to clear them away.
Snape's left arm loosened in its grip around the child as his right moved to rub the boy's back gently. He looked down at the small pair of pajama pants on the floor before carefully lifting the child and moving him to sit on his lap. "Okay," Snape breathed softly. "You are okay."
Harry rubbed his cheek against Snape's shoulder as he took in several sharp breaths. His eyes closed tightly, one arm wrapping loosely around his guardian. "S-sorry."
"I forgive you." Snape's hand moved to rub the boy's back once more as he leaned down and placed a kiss on top of the boy's head. "However the next time that I ask you to clean your room I hope that you do so."
Harry slowly nodded, his breathing still uneven as he sniffed. He was still sure he wouldn't be sleeping that night, no matter what Snape said.
"Very good." Snape's hand moved to gently brush a tear from the boy's cheek. "Do you want your sleep pants back on?"
"D-doesn't matter," he shook his head, taking in another hitched breath. "Not gonna s-sleep." Harry's hands rose to rub at both of his eyes roughly before resting across his middle.
Snape hummed softly. "Because you do not have your owl," he replied knowingly.
Harry simply gave a small nod, sniffing once more as he tightened his arms around himself.
"Why didn't you clean your room?" Snape questioned softly. "Simply because you did not want to?"
"Y-Yeah and I was g-gonna play tomorrow with them t-too." He took in several breaths in an attempt to control his breathing.
"Are you unable to play with your things and then put them away properly until the next day?" Snape's hand rested on the small of the boy's back.
Harry's shoulders slouched at the question, eyes opening to stare down at his knees. "Just d-didn't wanna."
"And did you not believe that I would actually take your things away or did you not realize that your owl was on the floor." Snape looked down at the child.
"I-I had just brought it down! Cause it was w-watching over everything and I f-forgot what you said. It was such a fun d-day." Fresh tears blurred his vision before several trailed down his cheeks.
Snape hummed softly as his hand reached out once more, his fingers gently brushing several tears off of the boy's face. "The next time, you will clean this room when I ask you too?"
Harry closed his eyes as Snape brushed at his face, sniffing. He looked up to the man, blinking several times as more tears replaced the last. "Y-yes."
"Okay calm down." Snape's tone remained soft as his hand moved to rub the boy's back once more. "Everything will be okay."
"No, it w-won't." The child moved to tuck his head into Snape's neck, a softer sob shaking his shoulders.
Snape hummed softly, the child's tears thoroughly causing him to feel horrible for the punishment he had dished out. A soft sigh escaped him as he continued to rub the boy's back, Harry's tears dampening his neck. "What if you were given a second chance?"
Harry rubbed his face into Snape's shoulder as he took in another breath. "R-really?" He rested his cheek on Snape's shoulder as he looked up to him.
Snape's fingertips gently tapped against the boy's back. "Does that response mean that you would take that opportunity?"
Harry nodded rather quickly, lifting his head up as he brushed at his face. "Y-Yeah."
Snape looked down at the child, a serious expression taking over his face. "If I give you this chance and you do not take it seriously, it is going to be quite some time before you see your toys, your owl included, again. Is that understood?"
The tears had finally lessened a considerable amount as he slowly nodded once more. "Yeah," Harry repeated as he released a soft breath.
Snape nodded as he waved a hand, causing the boy's room to return to the state it had been in an hour earlier, the toys scattered around the floor. "Tidy this room up...properly please." The man's hand moved to tap the small portion of the boy's backside that he had access to.
Harry sniffed as he stood from Snape's leg, his left hand rising to rub away the remaining tear trails. He moved over to the first batch of small toys, gathering them up into his arms before walking across the room to return them to their rightful spots. He moved slowly, clearly tired as he moved back and forth across the room.
Snape watched the child carefully. He could see that Harry was growing tired however, he wasn't about to call him to bed before the room was cleaned. It would not kill the child. The man watched carefully as Harry put a set of small knights that he had back on the shelf where they belonged.
It took several minutes before Harry finally picked up his owl, holding it close to his front. His bottom lip pouted out slightly as he blinked, looking over to Snape before slowly stepping up.
Snape leaned forward, putting his face closer to Harry's once more. "That took less than half an hour to accomplish." His hand gently tapped the boy's chin. "Certainly not worth a trip over my knee or losing your things."
Harry shook his head, resting his chin upon the top of his owl. He looked up to Snape, eyes still red from his tears before he stepped closer and leaned into the man's front.
Snape wrapped his arms around the child, hugging him tightly for a moment before he gently tapped his back. "Let's get you settled down in bed. It is getting late."
"Okay," he whispered softly, pulling away slightly as he nodded. The child hid a yawn into the top of the owl.
Snape stood, pulling back the child's blankets before tapping the bed lightly. "I need you to be well-rested if you are going to help me with a potion tomorrow."
A fresh grin crossed the child's lips at the words, sitting onto the bed before laying down. He rolled onto his side, nestling his chin against his owl as he closed his eyes. "Okay." He hummed softly.
Snape pulled the blankets up over the boy's shoulders. "Do you want me to rub your back?"
"Please." Harry rolled over onto his stomach, sighing softly. His bottom still smarted but at least he had all his toys back! And his owl.
Snape adjusted the blankets once more after the child rolled over before sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand moved, gently rubbing the boy's back. "You are very loved. I hope that you know that little boy." The man's voice was soft.
"I know," he whispered, nestling his cheek further against his pillow as he hummed. "I love you."
Snape's hand moved to rub between the boy's shoulder blades. "Sleep well and wake up well behaved tomorrow please."