August - Harry, age 13
School started in just over a week and Snape still hadn't signed or even mentioned the permission form for the Hogsmeade weekend. He knew it would be pointless to try to talk about it with the man as well. It would be the same thing. About how it wasn't safe.
Harry glared up to the ceiling before he sat up on his bed, releasing a breath before looking over to the window. If Snape was going to be impossible to him... then he could be impossible right back!
Standing, Harry crossed his bedroom and moved over to his dresser and changed to a tee shirt and jeans.
Snape moved across the kitchen, sitting down before tapping the table and causing Harry's breakfast to appear. The man waved a hand over it, setting a heating charm before he picked up the morning paper.
He could hear the child moving around above him and he was sure Harry would be downstairs any moment.
Nearly ten minutes passed before Harry finally stepped down the stairs and paused in the parlor. He glanced towards the kitchen, rolling his eyes as he spotted his guardian sitting down at his usual spot. He moved into the kitchen, silently sitting at his own chair while staring down to his plate.
"Good morning." Snape's eyes remained on the article he was reading. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mm.." Harry kept his gaze down onto his plate, choosing to instead pick up a piece of toast and take a bite. He pointedly turned his head away from the man.
Snape peered over the paper at the child before clearing his throat softly. "I was thinking this afternoon we could go to Diagon Alley and pick up your books for the upcoming year as well as new uniforms."
Harry frowned at the idea, lowering the toast down slightly. He had hoped he could just ignore the man for the whole day, but it seemed Snape would force some sort of interaction. "Fine," he uttered begrudgingly, picking up his cup of juice and taking a sip of it.
Snape nearly commented on the child's attitude but refrained from doing so. He was sure that Harry was just a bit cranky. Perhaps he had stayed up too late the night before in his room. "Would you like to have lunch out as well?"
"Not really." Harry lowered the glass back down, focusing back down to the plate as he picked up a piece of bacon and bit into it. He didn't want to spend any time with the man.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. He was beginning to become annoyed at his attitude. Furthermore, it wasn't like Harry to react in such a way to going out. "That is fine. When we return home you can complete the rest of your summer assignments. I believe you still have two essays left, is that correct?"
"I'll do it all later," the teenager replied with as much cheek as he dared before picking up his fork and nudging the eggs around before finally taking a bite. It wasn't an exact answer to the man.. but it was close enough in his opinion.
"Later today." The man gave the child a pointed look before his gaze shifted back to his paper. "September the 1st is fast approaching. I do not want you waiting until the last minute."
Harry nearly responded with 'or what' but wisely kept his mouth shut as he simply focused on his breakfast with a quick roll of the eyes. Once the meal was over half way gone, he pushed his plate away and stood without a word and moved to the parlor.
Snape watched as the boy walked out of the room. He could feel the annoyance radiating off the child yet couldn't place his finger on what was causing it.
A moment later the man closed and folded his paper, placing it on the table before he stood. He moved into the parlor, frowning at the site of the boy on the couch. "Is there something bothering you?" He couldn't help but ask as he moved across the room.
"No," Harry uttered as he turned himself slightly to lean against the arm of the couch, effectively keeping his back facing towards the man until Snape stepped further into the parlor.
The teenager rolled his eyes, resting his cheek on the back of the couch while staring down to his knees.
"You are quite sure about that?" Snape pressed as he looked down at the teenager. He could easily see that Harry's mood was only worsening as the morning progressed.
"Yes!" Harry finally spared a glance up to Snape, staring the man down for a long moment before looking back over towards the back of the couch. "Geeze," he breathed, pulling a leg up and resting his arm across it.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the small remark but otherwise ignored it. "Go get your shoes then and we will go."
With a quick roll of the eyes, Harry stood up and moved over to the entryway. Resting a hand on the wall, the teen quickly pushed on his shoes before raising each foot to adjust the back of each one. "Okay."
"As I always tell you, Harry. If I do not know what is wrong I cannot help you." Snape moved over to the fireplace, taking a handful of floo powder.
The teenager nearly snapped that Snape knew exactly what was wrong but once more refrained. He simply stepped next to the man, eyes closing. "Let's just go."
Snape's brow furrowed as he stepped into the fireplace. He couldn't think of anything that had happened that would cause his child to be acting in such a way. "Perhaps after we purchase your books you would like to stop for some ice cream?"
"I don't care," Harry spoke quite honestly as he spared a quick glance over as Snape stepped into the fireplace next to him and closed his eyes quickly again. This whole situation was unfair!
A small hum escaped the man as he dropped the floo powder, stating their destination. A moment later he stepped out and into the Leaky Cauldron. "We will get your books first." The man walked towards the exit.
The teenager spared a look around the building, blinking before he followed several steps behind his guardian. He sighed heavily, tilting his head slightly as they stepped into the street and simply lowered his eyes down to watch the back of Snape's cloak close to the ground.
Snape moved down the street in the direction of the bookstore glancing back every few moments to make sure the unusually quiet teenager was still behind him. "Are you excited to be going back to school?"
Harry kept his gaze down, dodging a few people on the street to keep his distance a few feet away from his guardian. He made a slight face, shaking his head to himself before deciding to at least give some sort of answer. "No."
Snape paused at the door to the bookstore, leaning down slightly he attempted to see his child's face. "Did something happen that I am unaware of? Why this horrible mood?"
"You're aware." Harry simply brushed past the man, keeping his gaze away as he pushed open the door to the bookshop and entered it without waiting for Snape for even a moment. He was not going to explain over and over his view on the trips and how completely unfair Snape was being about the whole situation.
The man frowned at the child's words as he tried to rack his brain to make some sort of sense of them. He stepped into the store, walking over to Harry. "I am aware?" He questioned in a low voice. "Are you upset with me?"
Harry simply chose to ignore the question, moving away once more and over to where he would need to get his new Divination textbook.
Snape followed the teenager across the store as he tried to think of what he had done to cause such a mood. He could not think of a single thing though. The last few weeks had been quite nice. Harry has hardly been so much as scolded. "You don't feel as though perhaps it would be wise to discuss this?" The man asked in a hushed tone as he stepped up beside his child.
Harry remained in place as he simply held the correct textbook in his arm, rubbing his thumb across the spine of it idly before looking away and across the store. "Nothing to discuss," he muttered. It would end the same as always.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the words, feeling his own annoyance rise. "Gather the rest of the books that you need so that we may pay and move on to buy your robes. I would like to be home before lunch."
Without another word, Harry moved across the bookstore to gather the remaining books he would need for the term, keeping himself a short distance away from Snape yet otherwise avoiding him. It wasn't until he gathered what was needed that he approached the man close to the counter.
Snape quickly paid for the books, sending them to be delivered home before he turned on his heel and started towards the exit. "Do you need new shoes for school as well? Did you try them on yesterday like I asked you to?"
"No and yes." Harry followed once more several steps behind the man, keeping his eyes trained on the back of Snape's cloak as he rolled his eyes once more. He just wanted to get home.
Snape nearly changed his mind and took the child home instead, however, he quickly decided against that idea. Harry needed new clothing for school and if they did not get it done today they would have to later in the week.
The man stopped outside of Madam Malkin's, holding the door open and allowing his child to step inside first.
Once more, Harry slipped into the store as if still trying to keep a distance between himself and Snape. "Ugh," he breathed, feeling his shoulders slouch as he looked around. This was his least favorite part every single school year.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the small complaint that he heard but refrained from commenting otherwise. He was thankful that the store was mostly empty but despite that he was not about to cause a scene with his child.
The man moved over to the trousers, pulling two sizes and handing them both to Harry. "Go try these on and see which fits properly please."
Reaching, Harry took the offered clothing and released a heavy sigh before disappearing towards the back of the store. The quicker that they could get this over with, the absolute better.
Snape watched the child go, still deep in thought as to what he had done to cause such an attitude. As Harry disappeared into the changing room, the man busied himself with pulling several school shirts, ties, and robes for the teenager.
It took a few simply minutes before Harry stepped back out, placing one pair of pants on the rack to be returned to their proper spot before going over towards Snape. "These." Was the only word he offered as his eyes settled on the clothing the man was holding with a frown.
Snape took the trousers from the boy, folding them over his arm. He held out a new robe. "Try this on here please. I would like to see the length."
Harry stared at the robe before taking it from the man, removing it from the hanger and quickly slipping it on. It seemed the perfect length, resting several inches above the ground as he took a few quick steps with it. "Yeah." He nearly continued that it was fine, but the words died at his lips, adjusting the sleeves around his arm.
Snape leaned down, pulling at the robe slightly to make sure it fit properly. "And you said that your shoes still fit and are in acceptable condition?" He had purchased Harry new school shoes in May when his foot had grown and he was sure that the boy couldn't have destroyed them since then.
"Yes," Harry emphasized, looking away as Snape made sure the robe fit properly. "Can we go?"
"Watch your cheek," Snape breathed as he stood up properly. "We can go in just a moment." He moved over to the racks of pants, pulling several more.
The teenager sighed loudly, staying in his place for a long moment before he removed the robe and placed it back on the hanger to carry. "If me answering you is being cheeky then I just won't answer," Harry muttered under his breath.
Snape raised an eyebrow at the words as he turned around to look at his child. Leaning down he put his face close to Harry's. "I do not know why you are behaving like this, however, I would appreciate it if it ended now."
Harry stared up to Snape for a long moment, keeping the man's gaze for several seconds before blinking and looking down to the side. His thumb ran idly across the robe, offering no other words to the man.
Snape remained leaning down, his face close to Harry's for a long moment after the child looked down before he slowly stood up straight. "Let me pay for your things and then we will go." The man moved towards the register.
"Finally." Harry moved a few seconds after Snape, continuing to stay a few steps behind until they got to the register. Once there, he placed the robe he held with the other items Snape placed down.
Snape paid for clothing, ignoring the teenager's remark. Once more he sent the purchases home before turning on his heel and starting towards the exit. The man forced himself to refrain from scolding the boy as he opened the door, allowing Harry to walk out first.
Swallowing, Harry kept his pace behind Snape before slipping out the door and pausing a few steps outside on the street. He'd be able to avoid the man much better at home.
Snape was silent for the next several moments as they walked towards The Leaky Cauldron once more; it was only when he paused to open that door that he finally cleared his throat and spoke, "Once home you may get your school things and work on your summer assignments."
"I will later." Harry stepped into the building, moving over to the large fireplace without a moment's pause.
Snape swallowed his annoyance as he bid several people hello before moving over to the fireplace beside his child. He picked up a handful of floo powder before stepping into the fireplace.
A moment later the pair stepped into their own parlor. "I certainly cannot be expected to understand why you are upset with me if you will not tell me." The man moved across the parlor. "However, regardless of whether you choose to do so I expect the attitude you have been displaying all morning to end here. Is that understood?"
Harry watched as Snape stepped out first, closing his eyes for a brief moment as the man spoke before opening them and stepping into the parlor as well. Snape had to be acting dumb. "Whatever," he muttered, stepping over towards the door and kicking off his trainers there.
"Harry," the man said the boy's name in a scolding tone. He was becoming well past annoyed. "If you are unable to speak to me properly you are going to find yourself standing in the corner until you are able to do so."
'Right,' the teen thought bitterly as he moved across the parlor once more, not looking back to the man as he moved towards the stairs. "I'm not a child," he stated as he moved up the stairs and to the second floor.
Snape sighed softly at the words before he moved to sit down in his armchair. "You can stay in your room until your mood improves," he called after the boy.
"Oh don't worry about that," Harry muttered, stepping onto the second floor and crossing to his room. Stepping in, his movements didn't pause as the door slammed closed loudly behind himself and he found himself quickly locking it. He stared to the door handle for a long moment, blinking before glaring away. He could survive staying in his room.
Snape was content to allow the child to stay upstairs alone for as long as it took...until he heard the door slam so loudly above him that it caused the house to shake slightly.
Standing, the man quickly moved across the parlor and up the staircase. He went to open Harry's bedroom door only to find it locked. Rolling his eyes the man waved a hand over the doorknob before turning it and pushing the door open. "How dare you slam your door!"
Harry had made it across the room and to his desk before the door opened, turning and sitting in his chair rather quickly. "Like it affects anything." He rolled his eyes, turning and looking to his desk while pulling out a few pieces of parchment.
"I have tried very hard to be patient with you this morning, Harry, however, I am warning you my patience is running very thin." The man's eyes narrowed on the boy. "You know better than to behave as you are."
"Just leave me alone!" Harry bit back, refusing to look over towards the man. Snape could have just stayed downstairs! "Then maybe you can remember what you've done or haven't."
The man moved across the room quickly, taking hold of the chair the boy was in and turning it so that Harry was facing him. "I have had just about enough of your cheek. You are thirteen years old and if you continue to act like a child you are going to be punished as such."
His shoulders stiffened at the sudden move, glaring up to the man as Snape leaned down slightly into his view. "I don't care. I'm not a child." Harry leaned slightly away, keeping his gaze still on his guardian.
"You do not care about what?" Snape asked, keeping a firm grip on the chair.
"What you do." Harry scoffed, looking away and over to his desk as he eyed the parchment. He didn't care. He wasn't a child and Snape wasn't scary!
"You are walking on dangerously thin ice, little boy. I would suggest that you take a deep breath and remember who you are speaking to." Snape forced himself to pause, swallowing hard. "Where is this attitude coming from? Why are you so upset with me?"
"Because you won't sign the bloody permission slip!" The teenager finally snapped, turning his head back over to glare at Snape. "And it's a week until school starts!"
Snape let out an exasperated sigh at the words. How he had managed not to piece that together was beyond him. "We have discussed this numerous times, Harry. You know why I will not do so."
"So why bother bringing it up?" Harry folded his arms over his chest, glaring anywhere but towards Snape's face. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"Why are you acting like this about it when we have already discussed it? You know my reasoning. I thought that you understood it." Snape leaned his head to the side in an attempt to see his child's face. "Furthermore, behaving this way will never get you what you want."
"Because I'll be the only one not going. Bet no one else is as paranoid as you and if it was so concerning, Dumbledore could cancel them! I can act as I want and I want you to leave me alone!" Harry raised an arm away from himself, pressing it against Snape's shoulder for emphasis.
"You are dangerously close to having your backside warmed for this behavior." Snape looked down at the hand pressing against his shoulder. "I would suggest that you calm yourself down and speak to me with some respect."
"There's nothing wrong with my behavior, you just think there is." Harry kept his hand pressed against Snape's shoulder, his own eyes narrowed. Maybe if he stayed like this, Snape would admit it would be easier just to sign the piece of paper than dealing with him.
"You are acting like a cheeky brat!" Snape snapped his hand moving to reach out and tap the child's chin firmly. "I raised you to know better than to behave like this."
Harry kept himself pressed against the back of his chair, shifting his head away from the touch while glaring over to his desk. "You're just being a git."
Snape let out a frustrated breath at the words. "You are dangerously close to going over my knee," Snape warned in a low voice as he tapped the small chin once more. "Watch. Your. Cheek."
"Stop." The teenager once more moved his head away although this time he cast a glare to the man. "Leave. Me. Alone." His tone came out with far more cheek than he had ever dared use with the man in the past.
Snape felt his annoyance rise as he stood up straight. He took a firm hold of the child's upper arm, pulling him to his feet. "You were given far too many chances by my calculations." Snape easily pulled Harry over to his bed.
The thirteen year old tugged at his arm, frowning as the man's grip only tightened slightly as he was pulled across his room. "Dad, stop." Harry dug his heels into the carpet, wincing as he pulled back once more.
Snape ignored the words altogether, remaining silent, as he sat on the edge of Harry's bed. Releasing his grip on the thirteen year old for all of a moment he quickly undid his trousers before moving him to his side.
Harry stiffened his shoulders as he was moved, jaw tightening as he took in a breath. He wasn't a child. This wouldn't hurt and he certainly wouldn't cry!
The man waved his hand causing the wooden spoon to appear. Plucking it from the air, he set it beside him before quickly lowering his child's trousers. "I am not quite sure what you imagined your behavior would result in, little boy."
"I'm not a child. It won't hurt." Harry blinked several times as his glasses were soon removed, taking in a stubborn breath.
Snape gave a small nod at the words. "I am very glad to hear that because when we are done here you are going to sit down on that backside of yours that will not hurt and complete your summer assignments."
The man took hold of his child's hand and easily pulled him over his lap. Hooking his fingers into the boy's shorts he peeled them down and out of his way before his left arm wrapped tightly around Harry's middle. He nearly rolled his eyes at the child, knowing without a doubt that it would hurt very much indeed.
Harry nearly gripped the end of Snape's pant leg before thinking better of it and simply resting both hands on the carpet. He wouldn't cry. Closing his eyes tightly, Harry rested his cheek against his elbow while taking in a deep breath.
Snape reached over, picking up the wooden spoon and immediately setting to work at covering every inch of his target with it. "I am not sure what exactly has gotten into you today but I will not stand for it." The man landed an exceptionally hard swat with the spoon.
It didn't take long before hot tears burned behind the teenager's closed eyes, his fingers curling into the carpet as a leg kicked up at the particularly hard smack, grimacing as he took in a sharp inhale. A mantra of 'don't cry' flooding his mind as he focused on anything but what was happening.
"The absolute immaturity of your behavior is appalling!" Snape continued to let the spoon pepper the child's rear end. "I am beyond disappointed in you."
Harry felt his shoulders shake, betraying him as he took in a sharp breath while pressing his face into his elbow. Hit bottom started to burn terribly, causing him to try to shift away from the assaulting spoon despite Snape's hold across his middle.
Snape tightened his hold around the child as he felt Harry begin to squirm. "Absolutely not, little boy." The man adjusted the child across his lap slightly, the spoon now targeting the lower portion of the small backside. "And should your blatant cheek continue we will be doing this again this evening."
"S-stop!" Harry finally broke, blinking as the burning of the tears became too much, a harsh sob finally broke past. He rubbed his face into his sleeve, taking in several harsh breaths before coughing.
Snape landed two more hard swats, one to each of the child's sit spots before he paused. "Is that attitude of yours gone now? Will the cheek stop?"
It took several moments of catching his breath before Harry nodded into his sleeve. "Y-yes.." he whispered, his fingers releasing the carpet.
Snape let the spoon fall twice more before pausing once again. "If you are upset with me I expect you to come to me and talk to me maturely, not behave like a cheeky brat. Is that clear?"
"Okay," Harry croaked softly, rubbing away several more tears against his arm as he closed his eyes tightly once more.
Snape could hear the tears, even if he could not see them. Still, the man was sure he hadn't been too hard on his child. He raised the spoon allowing it to fall twice more before he set it to his side, his grip on the child loosening. "Okay," he said softly as his hand moved to rub the boy's back. "Take a deep breath."
The teenager shifted his head away slightly, raising a hand up to rub across his face roughly before he pushed himself up. He quickly righted his clothing, raising both hands soon after to rub across his red face.
Despite the horrible behavior he had witnessed all morning, Snape took a gentle hold of the boy's elbow, pulling him forward a step before pulling him close to his chest and wrapping his arms tightly around him. "Breath," he instructed softly. "Calm down and then we will discuss this further."
Despite his annoyance with the man, Harry slowly draped his arms around Snape's shoulders before tucking his head into his guardian's neck with a shuddering inhale.
The man hooked his hands under the boy's arms, lifting him and carefully placing him on his knee. "You are okay," he breathed. "Just cry it out. We will talk when you are ready."
Harry hissed before he pulled away from the man with a shake of his head, instead choosing to sit next to Snape tenderly on his bed. His head lowered down, resting against the man's upper arm as he sniffed loudly. "Sorry."
Snape hummed softly at the apology. "What are you apologizing for? Hm?" He moved his arm to wrap it around his child.
"Being a prat," the boy uttered softly, cringing as he shifted his position slightly.
"What have you been told since you were all of six years old? Hm?" Snape's hand moved to gently tap the child's chin. "You are allowed to be upset with me. However, you are not allowed to act as you did."
Harry blinked at the touch, releasing a slow breath before he closed his eyes once more. "Sorry," he repeated softly, raising his right hand to brush under his eyes quickly.
"I forgive you." Snape leaned to the side placing a kiss on top of the boy's head. "However, we still need to deal with the problem at hand."
"What?" He released a deep breath, raising his head up away from Snape's shoulder.
"That you are cross with me for my decision about your permission slip." Snape looked over at the boy.
Harry stared down to his knees before he tenderly moved back and leaned against his headboard. Both arms rested over his middle as he only offered a shrug in response.
"You clearly are still frustrated with my decision. Is that fair to say?" The man hummed softly.
"Not obvious?" A hint of sarcasm entered Harry's tone as he glanced up to Snape, frowning deeply.
"I thought that after the last time we discussed it you understood my view on it all." Snape frowned slightly.
"I mean I get it... it's just..." The teenager frowned, rubbing his knee idly. "Ron owled me the other day and his parents signed his and I'm sure that Hermione's will sign hers."
"And you are upset that I will not sign yours." Snape sighed softly. "You are certainly allowed to feel that way."
Harry's frown deepened at the words, his fingers pausing across his knees. "Why I don't bother trying to talk about it... no bloody point.."
Snape hummed softly, refraining from commenting on his child's choice of words. "I have told you, that the moment he is captured I will sign your slip. The first Hogsmeade weekend isn't until October, he may be captured long before then."
"Still... I would be fine. I'd be with my friends." Harry wrapped his arms around his leg, shrugging as he rested his cheek down upon his knee.
"It is over two months away." Snape looked down at the teenager. "We will discuss this again when the time gets closer."
"Fine," Harry replied softly, resting his head back against the headboard with a deep sigh.
Snape nodded once at the words his hand moving to gently tap Harry's foot. "It would do you well to remember that the cheek only results in a sore backside."
"Okay." Harry's voice remained soft, frowning as his eyes fell down towards the man's hand. "I will."
"We could have had an exceptionally nice day in Diagon Alley." Snape's hand tapped lightly once more. "Instead, you will be spending the afternoon doing school work."
"Maybe tomorrow?" Harry tested, gaze glancing up towards his guardian as his frown remained. "Maybe?"
"Maybe what tomorrow?" Snape raised an eyebrow as his eyes remained on the boy.
"Maybe we can go back out? Or at least have lunch out?" He shrugged slightly, lowering his legs down from his chest.
Snape hummed softly at the request. He was sure that his child had been thoroughly punished for his behavior, just as he was sure he would not see the same cheek again. "If you are able to complete your assignments today, we can go back out tomorrow."
Harry made a slight face at the words, crossing his legs a moment later as he looked down towards his feet. There went his plan on starting a bit later if he had to get them all done. "Okay."
"Very good." Snape gave an approving nod. "Are you hungry? Would you like to come downstairs and have some lunch?"
"I'm not that hungry really... but sure." He gave a nod, grimacing slightly as he turned and sat up properly on his bed with his legs resting over the side.
"Perhaps some roast? You hardly touched your breakfast." The man stood, picking up the wooden spoon and tucking it into his pocket before moving towards the door.
"Roast and some potatoes?" Harry stood once Snape did, glancing away for a moment before following the man. "Not a lot though."
"A small helping would be more than acceptable." Snape put a hand on the boy's shoulder, leading him down the hall. "Perhaps some vegetables also."
Harry chose to not respond to that, simply leaning slightly back against the man's side for a brief moment before he started to descend the stairs. He doubted he really had a say in that, and he did not want to argue against the man again that day.
"I love you." Harry paused at the bottom of the stairs, turning as soon as Snape stepped down and wrapping his arms loosely around the man's middle. "I just wish I was normal sometimes."
Snape's hand moved to gently rub the teenager's back for a moment. "I love you too and I am sorry that my rules must seem quite unfair to you at times."
Harry could only offer a shrug as he released the man, moving into the kitchen. They could discuss it again when it got closer, like Snape had said. It would all be okay.