"Do you know what type of refreshments you would like to serve your guests?"

Harry looked up from the essay he was supposed to be writing on countercurses. What should have been an interesting topic could get dull extremely fast when Snape dumped a pile of dusty books on his desk and demanded he write a six foot essay before he got any practical experience. It took him a moment to even grasp what Snape was asking him as his head was full of nasty curses.

"Oh," Harry said dully. "Um, I dunno. Can we have cake?"

It was a birthday, after all.

"You may have whatever you like," Snape told him. "If you don't give the house elves ideas, however, they will serve you according to their own ideas, and they may not match your own."

Harry wondered idly what a house elve's idea of a birthday party was. He considered Dobby planning his party, and thought it would be better to talk to the house elves. Otherwise, he might wind up with enough pasties and cakes to feed an army.

"Okay," Harry agreed. "I can see how I wouldn't want that. When is your birthday?"

It occurred to Harry then that he knew very little personal information about Snape. He could tell by the man's reaction to the question that he wasn't going to get much anytime soon. His guardian looked like he had sucked on something sour.

"It is hardly relevant," Snape told him in a dour tone.

"Well, what if I want to get you something?" Harry persisted.

"There is no need," Snape relied.

"Really?" Harry asked, even though he knew it would get him nowhere. "What about Christmas? People usually get each other presents."

"Usually, but not always," Snape's tone made it clear that continuing was not in Harry's best interest. "I am an adult. You should not be providing me with gifts."

"That's dumb though," Harry said, even though his instincts and the look on Snape's face told him it was a bad idea. "Why shouldn't I get you a gift if you are my guardian? That's kind of like a parent."

"It is not necessary for children to buy gifts," Snape said with finality. "And before you continue with this pointless argument, let me forestall you. I will and do give you an allowance, but it is for things you need and want, not for you to spend on frivilalities such as buying me presents. It would also do you good to remember that speaking disrespectfully to me will not end well for you."

Harry wanted to continue arguing, but the pointed look Snape was giving him along with the tone he was using him told him that he would only get in trouble. The last thing Harry wanted was to get in trouble when he was supposed to be planning a birthday party.

"I want crisps and pizza," Harry said in a rush, "and a large chocolate pudding."

"That sounds fine," Snape said in a voice that sounded like a low purr. "Just let the house elves know whatever you want."

Harry nodded. Snape knew he hadn't had many birthday parties, and this one was special because it was the first one where he was getting to choose things himself. That was definitely much better than sitting in his cupboard while Dudley stuff his face.

Before he could say anything else to set Snape off, Harry went upstairs to his room. He spent almost an hour planning his party menu. It was the first time that he had ever done anything like this, and he found himself thinking of Muggle sweets he had always wanted to try but never been allowed to. He knew most of his friends would never have seen them, except for Hermione. It would be pretty funny to watch them drink the fizzy drinks.

When the day of the party arrived, Harry was excited. His guests had been confirmed. It was going to be the twins, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. None of the guests were security concerns, though Snape had made a few comments about the twins destroying his house. Harry didn't mind. Despite how things had been over the summer, this was his party and he intended to enjoy himself.

Snape immediately made himself scarce an hour before the party was set to begin by disappearing in his lab. Harry was grateful for that. He could not imagine anything more embarrassing than his guardian glowering over his friends while they tried to enjoy themselves. While Harry stood in the parlor near the fireplace waiting, he realized why he was so nervous. He had never played host before. Growing up, he'd never been allowed visitors. The very idea was laughable. Not only had he not had any friends, thanks to Dudley, but he hadn't had a home to bring them to. He'd only had his cupboard.

Right on time, the guests arrived. Hermione popped through first, a delicious smelling basket perched on top of her rucksack. Next came the twins, jostling each other joyously. After them came Ron and then Ginny.

By then, Harry was nervous but could also barely contain his excitement. He found himself tapping his foot as his friends came through the Floo. They were mostly more graceful than he ever was, but it still took too long. The twins hopped over and began rigorously popping him on the back and pumping his arm as if he'd run a race or been elected mayor.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Fred said.

"You're an old man, Harry," George added.

"You don't have to say it again, mates," Harry told them, "but thanks."

"So," Fred said, rubbing his hands together in mock excitement that was probably all too real. "What will we do first to destroy the place?"

"Stop it, Fred," Hermione chided. "We won't do anything to get Harry in trouble, will we?"

"No, of course not," George said with no sincerity. "We are good boys and girls who never get in any mischief. Right, Harrikins?" George tried to ruffle Harry's already incorrigible hair as he said this last part.

"Bugger off," Harry muttered, trying to duck away, but smiling a little.

"Hey, Harry," Ron said as he looked around gaping. "This is really Snape's house?"

"No, he leased it for the occasion," Ginny said with a scoff. What do you think?"

Ron glared at his sister but continued to wander around the room. Harry noticed his cheeks reddening. The furnishings weren't as pretentious as Aunt Petunia's 'putting on airs' finery, but everything in Snape's house spoke of inheritance and heritage. There was money here, and Harry knew it. He tried not to be embarrassed of the Pureblood lineage the place spoke of. It was only half the story, he well knew.

"Never mind," Harry said. "Let's go upstairs. I'll show you where your rooms are."

Harry realized even saying this might make Ron green with envy, but he decided to ignore Ron's rude staring. Just because Harry had a nicer house than him now meant nothing. Snape had adopted him to provide him with protection and for no other reason.

Leading them up the stairs, Harry showed them to two rooms. The twins one share one, and the girls the other. Snape had suggested that Ron share Harry's room, but it was an idea Harry was now regretting. After pointing the others to the rooms with double beds, Harry led Ron to his room. Snape had magicked an extra bed for the night. Harry's room was plenty large enough to allow it.

"This is your room?" Ron demanded.

"Yeah, so?"

Harry knew he was getting defensive. There was something about Ron's behavior that was getting on his nerves. He knew that Ron had never supported the adoption, but the way he was acting seemed over the top.

"It's just … weird," Ron seemed to not know what to say.

"What's weird about it, Ron?" Harry asked, not letting up on him.

"It's not you," Ron finally finished.

"What?" Harry said coolly. "What are you talking about?"

"This stuff," Ron repeated.

"Whatever, Ron," Harry said, flopping down on his bed.

Ron opened his bag and took out pajamas to put on the bed. Then he put the bag on the floor and kicked it. Finally, he flopped on the bed like Harry.

"Do you like living here?" Ron finally asked.

"It's okay," Harry said flatly.

"Okay?" Ron asid. "You have all this! Just for you."

"Do you want it, Ron?" Harry asked coolly.

"That's not what … I didn't mean that," Ron said.

"I don't know what you're going on about," Harry said. "I didn't ask for any of this. Everyone always wants all this from me. No one ever cares about me or what I want."

Ron sat up and looked at Harry, somewhat curious and somewhat annoyed. "What do you want?"

"You want to know what I want, Ron? Since you're supposed to be my best friend, you would think you would know. Since you don't, I guess I'll tell you. I want everyone to leave you alone. Dumbledore, Voldemort, everyone. I am so tired of it all. To not need to be a hero."

"That's rubbish," Ron cried, though he flinched when Harry mentioned Voldemort. "You always want to be the hero!"

"I don't want to be," Harry insisted. "I've been forced to be."

"I don't know, Harry," Ron said. "You've always been like this, solving mysteries and stuff, since first year."

"It's not like I had a choice," Harry reminded him. "I was being attacked by Voldemort, if you remember."

Ron didn't respond to that. Harry sighed, and sat up. Ron followed suit.

"Let's go get the others," Harry said to forestall the argument. "I am sure that the elves have some kind of food out."

That definitely got Ron's attention. He forgot all about arguing and jumped up to follow Harry out of the room. His attention was all on food now.

In the hallway, they met the girls. Herminone, Ginny, Ron and Harry went into the twins room where a raucous pillow fight had broken out. The pillows themselves were fighting, because the twins had transfigured them into dragons. Since there were about a dozen pillows in the room, there were now feathers everywhere.

Harry laughed at first, and then suddenly had the vision of what Snape might say when he saw the shape of the room. He stopped laughing.

"It's okay, Harry," Ginny said between tears of laughter. "They'll put it back to rights."

The pillow fight went on for a good twenty minutes until there were only two pillows left and one beheaded the other. By that time, there were feathers knee-deep in the room. Everyone had taken to throwing them at each other, so there were feathers in everyone's hair too. They were falling all over the floor in peals of laughter.

"That was great," Harry said with a laugh.

"Oh, my!" Hermione giggled as she pulled a feather out of Ginny's braid. "Can we use magic here?"

"Of course!" Fred said. "Not just us, you can too. Harry does."

"You do?" Ron said, gaping again.

Harry shrugged. "I have to practice defense, remember."

Ron still seemed annoyed.

Hermione pulled out her wand and quickly had the room set to rights. She looked pleased with herself, but Ron seemed frustrated. Harry decided to ignore him.

After the room was cleaned up, they went downstairs into the dining room. The house elves had set out a buffet of snacks. There was everything from biscuits to fruit. Everyone dug in, and Harry enjoyed being able to treat his friends. He knew the elves would be glad everyone liked it.

"These are great, Harry!" Hermione said. "Thanks for having fruit and not just sugary sweets."

Harry nodded and smiled watching everyone else mostly eat the biscuits and pasties. He had specifically made sure to have things each person liked. Hermione was always making sure to watch her sugar intake and Harry knew it. She also genuinely enjoyed fruits more than the candy her parents frowned on.

The first set of snacks was just wizard variety, but later Harry was going to bring out the crisps and muggle sweets. For the meal he was going to surprise his friends with pizza and fizzy drinks. He was looking forward to especially the twins' reactions.

After everyone had eaten, Harry brought them into the garden. He was excited to show them the first item of entertainment. It was the first thing he had asked Snape for.

"Brooms!"

Even Hermione surprised Harry by agreeing to participate in an impromptu pick-up Quidditch match. There were not enough people for a real game, but there were enough to make it fun. Harry was enjoying himself, and he had almost forgotten that things had gotten off to a rough start with his friends at first. Maybe living with Snape would not be so bad after all.