Chapter 19; Really?

Severus doesn't respond he justs starts on his way towards his quarters that is occupied by a sleeping child. Severus returns to his quarters and goes to Harry's room checking on the sleeping child. He is relieved to see that Harry is still sleeping soundly. He thinks back to the discussion in the office and knows that Harry is really going to make the decision as to whether or not he is going to be adopted by Severus. Severus decides to wake Harry up when he sees that it is nearly time for lunch. "Harry. It's time to wake up. Harry. It's time for lunch." Severus says while giving Harry a little shake. He smiles when he sees Harry open his eyes before letting out a big yawn. Harry blinks and his focus lands on Severus and he smiles. "Hello Professor." "Hello Harry. Did you have a nice nap?" "Yes sir." Harry says. He sits up and winces as his backside hits the mattress. Severus tries to ignore the pang of guilt that he feels when he sees Harry wince. "How are you feeling child?" Severus asks softly. Harry just shrugs while squirming on the soft mattress before deciding to stand up. "Well that is expected especially after the morning you have had. Get ready we will be going down to the Great Hall for lunch."
Harry immediately whines softly. "Can we eat down here? Pleeeeese?" Severus considers this and nods. "Yes we can." He knows that Harry deserves to sit on that sore bottom in front of everyone but doesn't think that it is necessary for the lesson to get through. Besides, by eating in their chambers they can talk about the rest of the punishment without anyone else listening. Severus leaves the room letting Harry get ready. He calls out, "Lolly." A house-elf appears in front of him.

"Hows cans I's help yous sir?"

"Can you bring Harry and myself some lunch and put it on the table please?"

Lolly gives a disapproving look and says, "I's sorrys sir but I cannot. Mistress says yous haves to eat in the Great Hall."

Severus sighs and says, "Lolly, I know what she says but I am saying that I will eat with Harry down here."

"No. I's cannot brings you lunch down here."

"Very well. Ask mother if we can eat down here and if she says yes I want you to bring some lunch down here. If she says no let me know." Lolly nods and disappears with a Crack.

A few minutes later some food appears on the table along with 3 place settings. Not even 2 minutes later there is a knock on the door. Severus waves his hand and the door opens revealing Minerva. "You know the rules. One of us has to be present during meals."

"Seriously!? I am a grown man and I have a child that I have to protect. I will do anything I can to get Harry to eat. Besides, I haven't fought eating in a few years. I think I can take care of myself."

"Doesn't matter. Hello Harry." Minerva says turning to the child that just entered the room.

"Hello professor." Harry says politely but quietly.

Minerva walks over to Harry and kneels down. Before Harry can react he is pulled into a hug. "Never do that again child. You don't know how scared we all were." says Minerva pulling away a little bit.

Harry looks down at the ground in embarrassment. Minerva puts her hand under his chin and pushes up gently making Harry look at her. "I know you are embarrassed but don't be. Alright? We love you very much and can't lose you." Harry just nods in response before looking up at Severus. He smiles when he nods confirming his mother's words. Harry is the one that breaks the silence by saying, "So, are we gonna eat or is it just going to sit there?" Severus and Minerva laugh at the words and Severus is the one to respond. "Yes Brat we are going to. We wouldn't want you to miss a meal now would we?"

"I would be fine with it." Harry mutters softly. Severus lets out a short bark of laughter at that before responding. "I'm sure that you would be okay with that. I, however, am not okay with the fact of you missing a meal. You are too small as it is."

Harry, disgruntled, says "I'm not that small!"

"Harry, you are very much underweight which is not okay. You were denied key nutrients when you were growing up and now you are going to pay for that by eating more than you would like."

Harry just sighs and turns towards the table. He starts walking there but is stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He knows that it is Severus so he turns around. "I know that you aren't happy but I cannot allow you to remain underweight."

Harry just nods without saying anything. Severus can see the emotion on Harry's face and sees that Harry is understanding what he is saying, which is a step. "Come on child. Let's go eat. Hmmmm?"

Harry gives a small nod trying to get his emotions under control. Severus guides Harry towards the table. Harry allows himself to be guided towards the table. He sits down at the spot that Severus guides him to. Harry waits for the older two people to sit down at the table. Severus and Minerva start serving themselves. Harry waited until Minerva and Severus were done serving themselves before starting himself. Severus sees this and sighs but doesn't say anything happy that Harry is eating.

There is no sound coming from the trio besides the sound of forks on plates, although Harry is occasionally squirming trying to find a comfortable spot. Severus decides to break this. "Harry, I know that you are still tending to a sore backside but I think we should talk about the rest of your punishment. Yes there's more." Severus says at Harry's incredulity. "You are grounded for two weeks. That means no leaving these quarters without myself. You will eat all meals with the rest in the Great Hall like normal. Okay? I know you aren't going to be happy with me but I can't stand the thought that I might have lost you. You have to understand, Harry, that all these rules that I have given you are for your good."

Harry doesn't respond, he just sighs. He knows that this will be a long two weeks. Severus sees Harry's discouragement and is surprised when he feels another pang of guilt.

"The next thing that I wanted to talk to you about is an important topic." Severus stops so he can see how Harry is going to react. He continues when he sees that Harry is looking at him seriously and with confusion on his face. "Harry. I don't want you to say anything until you have heard everything I have said. Alright?"

"Yes sir." Harry says warily, unsure as to what Severus was talking about.

"Harry. I was wondering if you would allow me to adopt you? We would have to go to the ministry and do a bunch of tests but after that they would do it and no one would be able to take you from me. I promise you that I will never treat you like your relatives treated you. You would have me, Remus, Minerva and the Headmaster. No one would let any harm come to you. Now I'm not saying that you wouldn't be spanked when you break a rule but I promise you that is all. You would be spanked possibly grounded but never beaten. I promise. So, what do you say? Will you become my child?" Severus asks, his eyes never leaving Harry.

Harry doesn't respond verbally. All he does is stand up and walk over to Severus. He then launches himself at Snape and asks, "Really?"

"Yes my little lion. Really. I would love to have you as my son. I already think of you as mine and this would just make it official."

Harry just curls himself into Severus. He mutters, "I love you." Severus looks up at his mother and smiles.

Minerva just says, "I think that is a yes."

An/ What do you think is going to happen? Is this going to go smoothly? As always please review I love to hear what you guys have to say. Your positive comments make me want to write even more. I know this is crazy isn't it. 2 chapters in 2 days?! I am sad (But happy) to tell you that I have had snow days 3 days in a row! So I currently have a 5 day weekend and haven't left the house since Tuesday and it is currently Friday so I am going slightly stir crazy.