As strong as we are untied
Chapter 10 - Uncle Severus
"I'd like to stay here, with my Uncle." Harry spoke first to Dumbledore, then to Snape, "if he will let me?"
Snape his pleasure in his nephew's decision behind gruff words "You've dishes to do, if you're staying that is."
Harry grinned, knowing that that was a yes, and Dumbledore smiled with him "Right then, if that's all settled then I'm needed at the Ministry." He produced a set of official looking documents, dripping with seal and signatures, "you just need to sign here Severus, and Harry you here." They both did as instructed and stepped back. "Excellent, I will now deliver these to the ministry and you Severus are now Harry's legal guardian."
And without even saying good-bye, Dumbledore was gone. Snape and Harry stood about a metre apart, both awkwardly unsure of what to say or do, eventually, Harry found the words "Good-o".
Snape exhaled quickly, amused, "right then, enough time wasted on foolishness, the dishes." The small boy beside him just grinned and picked up the tea towel, knowing that his uncle felt the same. Snape scowled when he saw this, that boy was becoming far too insightful, far too quickly.
When they had finished the dishes, Snape handed Harry his forgotten lemon sherbet that Dumbledore had given him, and motioned for him to sit down. "We've things to go through, now that you're staying. When the boy in front of him was sat, busily sucking his sherbet, and Snape was sure of his attention, he began "this is your home now, so you can go anywhere you like, except for my upstairs workroom, and the ruins of the old house. If I find you in either of these places, you will not forget it in a hurry, regardless of any excuse, they are dangerous, especially for children.
Harry gulped, nearly choking on his lemon sherbet, whilst he was fairly sure that Snape would do nothing to hurt him, he didn't dare ask if that was a threat or a promise, he feared the latter. "Yes sir."
Snape looked at Harry for a few moments, making sure he had made his position clear, and after finding whatever he had been looking for in Harry face, continued "I won't tolerate you being idle all day, while you're here, you can do some chores to help out, the washing up for starters, and you must keep you room tidy, make the bed every morning." Harry simply nodded, he knew all that already, and would have done so without being told. "You'll be going to school in a week or so, but for now you should do some reading and writing each day, I won't have you falling behind."
Harry nodded slowly, wondering what on earth one learnt at a wizarding school. "Uncle, where will I be going to school? I thought you had to be eleven to go to Hoqwarts?"
Snape replied in a weary voice "You'll go the Hoqwarts at eleven just like everyone else regardless of the fact that you will be living there. You have been enrolled at the wizarding primary in Hogsmeade, a village close by. You will attend there along with two of my colleagues children who are about your age."
Harry frowned and then shrugged, wondering weather these children would be like Dudley? Maybe he could ask his uncle to teach him how to defend him- self? He decided to wait a bit, having no idea weather this would be acceptable or not.
Snape observed the pensive boy through narrowed eyes for a few minutes in silence, trying to guess what his nephew might be thinking.
Then, as a though occurred to Harry, he spoke in a rush. "What, what should I call you? Now that you're my guardian and all that."
Snape froze momentarily, having not anticipated that question "I'm your uncle aren't I, that seemed to be perfectly sufficient up until now. What is wrong with that?" He raised an eyebrow, the merest hint of a sneer on his lips.
Harry squirmed "£its just that, well, plain uncle sounds kind of weird." He trailed off hopefully.
Snape sighed amused, "if you really feel you must you may call me uncle Severus, apart of course from when you are in trouble, then a respectful sir would be appropriated don't you think?"
Harry nodded, a small smile on his lips "Yes sir, thank-you Uncle Severus."
Snape scowled, "cheeky brat" but was unable to suppress a small smile when he saw that Harry, for the first time did not flinch away at the comment as he would have don't just a few hours ago, but simply grinned.
Right then, no complaint because you got this exactly when I said you would, its leave weekend. Hope this will provide a few minutes of entertainmenr, and please constructive critisiosms, things you like best, things you like least, hint's, any feedback very much appreciated. Next chapter may come in three weekends time, but as I break up from school on staerday and am leaving to go to Africa on Sunday I make no promises, it very much depends of wheather I can get enough time at a computer by my- self. Thanks Emma20
Chapter 10 - Uncle Severus
"I'd like to stay here, with my Uncle." Harry spoke first to Dumbledore, then to Snape, "if he will let me?"
Snape his pleasure in his nephew's decision behind gruff words "You've dishes to do, if you're staying that is."
Harry grinned, knowing that that was a yes, and Dumbledore smiled with him "Right then, if that's all settled then I'm needed at the Ministry." He produced a set of official looking documents, dripping with seal and signatures, "you just need to sign here Severus, and Harry you here." They both did as instructed and stepped back. "Excellent, I will now deliver these to the ministry and you Severus are now Harry's legal guardian."
And without even saying good-bye, Dumbledore was gone. Snape and Harry stood about a metre apart, both awkwardly unsure of what to say or do, eventually, Harry found the words "Good-o".
Snape exhaled quickly, amused, "right then, enough time wasted on foolishness, the dishes." The small boy beside him just grinned and picked up the tea towel, knowing that his uncle felt the same. Snape scowled when he saw this, that boy was becoming far too insightful, far too quickly.
When they had finished the dishes, Snape handed Harry his forgotten lemon sherbet that Dumbledore had given him, and motioned for him to sit down. "We've things to go through, now that you're staying. When the boy in front of him was sat, busily sucking his sherbet, and Snape was sure of his attention, he began "this is your home now, so you can go anywhere you like, except for my upstairs workroom, and the ruins of the old house. If I find you in either of these places, you will not forget it in a hurry, regardless of any excuse, they are dangerous, especially for children.
Harry gulped, nearly choking on his lemon sherbet, whilst he was fairly sure that Snape would do nothing to hurt him, he didn't dare ask if that was a threat or a promise, he feared the latter. "Yes sir."
Snape looked at Harry for a few moments, making sure he had made his position clear, and after finding whatever he had been looking for in Harry face, continued "I won't tolerate you being idle all day, while you're here, you can do some chores to help out, the washing up for starters, and you must keep you room tidy, make the bed every morning." Harry simply nodded, he knew all that already, and would have done so without being told. "You'll be going to school in a week or so, but for now you should do some reading and writing each day, I won't have you falling behind."
Harry nodded slowly, wondering what on earth one learnt at a wizarding school. "Uncle, where will I be going to school? I thought you had to be eleven to go to Hoqwarts?"
Snape replied in a weary voice "You'll go the Hoqwarts at eleven just like everyone else regardless of the fact that you will be living there. You have been enrolled at the wizarding primary in Hogsmeade, a village close by. You will attend there along with two of my colleagues children who are about your age."
Harry frowned and then shrugged, wondering weather these children would be like Dudley? Maybe he could ask his uncle to teach him how to defend him- self? He decided to wait a bit, having no idea weather this would be acceptable or not.
Snape observed the pensive boy through narrowed eyes for a few minutes in silence, trying to guess what his nephew might be thinking.
Then, as a though occurred to Harry, he spoke in a rush. "What, what should I call you? Now that you're my guardian and all that."
Snape froze momentarily, having not anticipated that question "I'm your uncle aren't I, that seemed to be perfectly sufficient up until now. What is wrong with that?" He raised an eyebrow, the merest hint of a sneer on his lips.
Harry squirmed "£its just that, well, plain uncle sounds kind of weird." He trailed off hopefully.
Snape sighed amused, "if you really feel you must you may call me uncle Severus, apart of course from when you are in trouble, then a respectful sir would be appropriated don't you think?"
Harry nodded, a small smile on his lips "Yes sir, thank-you Uncle Severus."
Snape scowled, "cheeky brat" but was unable to suppress a small smile when he saw that Harry, for the first time did not flinch away at the comment as he would have don't just a few hours ago, but simply grinned.
Right then, no complaint because you got this exactly when I said you would, its leave weekend. Hope this will provide a few minutes of entertainmenr, and please constructive critisiosms, things you like best, things you like least, hint's, any feedback very much appreciated. Next chapter may come in three weekends time, but as I break up from school on staerday and am leaving to go to Africa on Sunday I make no promises, it very much depends of wheather I can get enough time at a computer by my- self. Thanks Emma20