Title: Cruel Summer

Summary: see chapter one

Disclaimer: see chapter one

A/N: Any reviews will be welcome any flames will be given to the dog.

Now I go to the GREAT reviewers, who make my day!

Anna Taure: Thanks, and here is another update!

sesshyluver03: Yes, Harry will be having more bouts of angst,, and Vernon will soooooooo get his soon.

opal: Harry could do that, but as Dumbledore said, some things are better not shared with the whole world.

aquitaineq: Thanks, It slows down in places and is faster paced in others. Hope you enjoy it

Muses Fury: LOL thanks, and yes the fic is actually done, and I have 4 chapters done of the other four I am working on

Ymmas Sirron: I have updated wheeeeee ahem Here you go!

ShadowedHand: Awwww thanks, and yes they will have many touching moments during the fic, and some angst ones from hell

Gryphon's wing: Sirius and Severus will be reeking havoc, being sinister to each other and at other times beig friends, and Vernon will so cause a little more trouble. ahem

athenakitty: They are permanently house elves, the other house elves know of their deceit, and Vernon will soooooooo get his

HecateDeMort: Thanks, here is another, Hope you enjoy

tigersmeleth: LOl congrats on finishing chem hw, and Oh yes Severus is pissed at Dursley

WOO HOO Thanks! To all you lovey reviewers! I cherish each review and it brings a smile to my face! Now to the fic!

Chapter 10

Severus started towards the dungeons, but got an idea and instead walked to the kitchens. Once inside Dobby was at his side in a flash, almost knocking the potion master down. "Is there something Professor Snape wishes? Dobby can get you anything you ask."

Snape surveyed the kitchen, and then his eyes landed on the two elves. "How are they coming along?" he asked, disdain in his voice.

"Dobby has made them wash every dish and scrub every toilet. They will pay for what they have done to Harry Potter sir."

Snape seemed to relish in this thought, and sent the pair the coldest glare reserved for his enemies. "Dobby could you possibly tell me what Harry likes to eat, his favorite dishes perhaps."

"Dobby knows that Harry Potter always cleans his plate when roast beef is served with treacle tarts. Would Master Snape like me to make you a plate now?"

"If you could would you send it up to my room, in about thirty minutes."

"Dobby will have this ready Master Snape," the house elf said, turning to glare at the two for staring. "Back to work! You have dishes to wash before dinner!" Snape heard Dobby yell as he departed .

Walking back to his room in the dungeons, Severus thought about his new found son, and about how he would break the ice with him. He also knew that Harry had suffered at his relatives, and he felt that what he had seen was only one day in his life of horrors. Severus had to find some way to crumble the wall that Harry had built around himself. So lost in his thoughts, he was at the door to his room before he knew it. With a deep breath he turned the knob and walked in.

Everything was quiet in the living room, and Severus wondered if perhaps Harry was still asleep. Quietly he walked over to the bedroom door and peeked in. There sat Harry hunched over his charms homework, quill moving rapidly across the parchment. Severus cleared his throat, and Harry jumped and slung the quill across the room. Severus reached down and picked up the quill that had landed next to his foot, and walked over.

"What are you working on, perhaps I can help."

"It is not potions, it is charms for Professor Flitwick"

"Do you think just because I teach potions it is the only thing I know?" Severus said with raised eyebrows. "I will have you know your mother was excellent in charms, and she taught me everything she knew. Slide over, I will see if I can help." When Harry stared at him dumbfounded Severus scooted the boy over, and looked over what he had written. "You have it right, except for this part here. Let me show you where the answers can be found, and then we will practice it."

Harry and Severus spent the day going over his different subjects until a house elf appeared announcing dinner. Harry was relieved as he was not quite fully recovered, and quickly put his parchment away.

As Harry sat down, and as his plate was set before him, a small smile came over his face. There was all his favorites and he noticed Severus staring at him. "Is this alright with you? I had Dobby fix all your favorites." He was rewarded with a smile, and Harry began eating.

In no time at all Harry was done and pushed back from the table. "Are you not going to eat anymore than that?" Severus said, worry creeping into his voice.

"I am full, and if I try to eat more I think I will be sick." Harry said his voice growing silent. "Had he offended Professor Snape by not eating more."

"Come Harry, try to eat just a little more. Please just for me, to keep up your strength."

Harry sat back down. Had Severus Snape just pleaded with him? Even though Harry knew he was his father, he could not so easily accept his most hated Professor actually being nice to him. Harry sat back down, and picked up his fork again, and put another bite of the treacle tart into his mouth. He had to admit that it was delicious, and in no time he had finished the last bite. He sat back, stomach way too full and then the feeling came back to him. It was the same feeling he got every welcoming feast, when Hermione made him eat too much. As fast as he could, he jumped up from the table and headed for the bathroom, losing all the dinner he had eaten.

Now sitting back on the cold marble floor of the bathroom he felt a cloth wiping his face. When he looked up he saw his father looking down at him with concern. "Harry I am sorry, I should have listened. Are you alright?"

Harry shook his head yes, but he was unsteady getting to his feet. He was shocked when Severus reached down and scooped him up and carried him into the room. He was even more shocked when Severus tucked him in, and sat down on the edge of his bed.

"Harry, I know all this is still new to us both, but I will try my best to make up for all that we have lost. Even if that means putting up with the mutt."

Harry grinned, and his eyelids became suddenly very heavy. "Thanks Professor Snape," he said before turning over on his side to sleep. Snape got up and went to the door, but his ears still caught the muffled "goodnight dad" before he shut the door. The most feared potions master closed the door with another rare smile across his face.