Harry had long been in bed when the headmaster arrived, accompanied by Minerva, following Severus' request earlier that evening. The boy had thoroughly enjoyed the feast, now that he was familiar with a few of the students and increasing in confidence. It meant he often spent mealtimes jumping between the different Houses tables, though Severus had noticed a particular affinity to the Gryffindor table. The other staff members had looked at him in sympathy when it became clear the boy worshipped the Gryffindor's but, truth be told, he was just happy that the child wasn't the anxious ball of nerves he had been when they had first met.

Severus was now sipping a nightcap of firewhiskey as he lounged in his armchair, his conversation with the Headmaster resting heavily on his mind. The conversation had been lengthy, but not much had come of it. They had been in agreement that it seemed Harry's magic was beyond that of the average child of his age. However, what to do with such information was an entirely different issue.


"I'll get it!" Harry span around, rushing towards their front door and abandoning the snitch which had been hovering ever so slightly out of his reach. Harry loved it when students would visit them. They would usually slip him some kind of treat whilst they spoke with Snape and having not had many treats in his short life so far, he lapped them up. Harry let out a yelp of surprise as he was suddenly lifted from the floor, turning slightly to grin at the usually stern Potions Master who placed the boy down behind him.

"I'll get it, thank you" the man corrected, turning back to the door to see who their visitor might be. It was likely one of his seventh-year potions students hoping to discuss their final project with him. Part of the seventh-year curriculum included a project in which students would attempt to create a new, or improve an already established, potion. It was not dissimilar to what he had heard of the muggle education system, in which students wrote a dissertation pertaining to their field of study. However, it did usually cause a stream of overachieving stressed seventh years approaching him for advice on the most complex of potions.

As Severus opened the door however, he was met by the younger Weasley who he had seen more of since Harry's arrival at the castle. Much as Severus was loathe to the idea of Harry having chosen the boy as his most favoured companion, his attempts to encourage Harry to befriend some more mature Slytherin students had been futile. Harry much preferred the entertainment of the Weasley boy. "Good morning Mr Weasley" he offered politely, though his monotone delivery was not particularly encouraging.

"Charlie!" the child greeted with much greater enthusiasm than the Potion's master had, earning himself a smile from the older boy he had come to admire.

"Good morning Professor" he responded, before giving a quick hello to Harry who was hopping about behind the professor. Charlie had never thought he'd have to interact with the Potion's Master so frequently. For the entirety of his first year, he had managed to avoid the man, for the most part, aside from those interactions he was forced to partake in during his potion's lessons. Honestly, the boy thought as he stood in front of one of Hogwarts' most feared professors, the things I do for that kid. "I'm not sure if you're aware that I've got a few brothers" he started, not wanting to drag out the conversation with his potion's professor any longer than necessary.

"A few?" he questioned sarcastically with a raised eyebrow. "A few is most commonly used to refer to three, Mr Weasley, and my understanding is that you have a little more than a few" he added, confirming his knowledge of the Weasley clan. While he had not had much personal interaction with the family, he had known of them during their time in the Order and their role in the Wizarding War.

At the boy's blank expression, Snape sighed "was there some reason you wished to raise the topic of your many brothers, Mr Weasley?"

"Well Sir, you see my mum was asking if Harry here" he began, with a nod over at the boy who began listening intently at the mention of his name, "might like to play with my little brother, you know, whilst you're teaching or something" he added.


Harry stood by the fireplace, wringing his hands together and looking as though he might be being walked to the gallows any minute now. Initially, he had begged and pleaded to go and spend the Saturday with Charlie's brothers. In fact, until about ten minutes ago he had expressed nothing but excitement about the day ahead.

"Can I bring Gary with me?" the child asked as he glanced up, clearly nervous about his visit to a new place.

Snape did not think it a good idea for the boy to bring the bug along. While Harry was certainly nervous now, Snape knew that as soon as he had warmed to the knew place, the bug would be long forgotten and likely trampled. "Has Gary been invited to the Weasley household?" the man asked, picking up the child so that they could go through the floo. Harry didn't have much experience with the floo network, and Snape hardly wanted the boy ending up in an entirely different location to himself.

"No but he'd be good" the child answered confidently, for Gary was quite the well-behaved beetle.

"I have no doubt he would" the man confirmed, before stepping into the floo, and throwing down the powder as he clearly called out their destination, "The burrow".

Harry grabbed a hold of Snape's robe as he was placed down on the floor in the unfamiliar house. He was worried that Snape might simply step back into the fireplace and be gone forever. He certainly knew that he would not be able to use the floo by himself, especially as he did not know where that funny powder stuff was kept.

"Alright Harry?" the man asked softly, crouching down to better allow him to make eye contact with the boy. The child did not get the chance to respond before the man stood up again to greet their host.

"Hello Professor Snape" Molly spoke as she entered the room, a small little girl trailing behind her. She was wearing an apron spotted with flour, evidently having been baking prior to their arrival. "And Harry, hello to you too" the woman continued, smiling at the young boy who so closely resembled his father. "My name is Molly, and I'm Charlie's mum" she added, as the child gave her a small and somewhat nervous smile.

"Hello Miss Molly" the child whispered, after a light tap to his back reminded him of his manners.

"Harry is a bit nervous" the man spoke to the Weasley matriarch, "but I am sure he will settle in shortly" he added, with an encouraging nod to the child.

"I know just the recipe for nerves" Molly offered the child with a grin, "would you like to sample one of my lemon drizzle cupcakes?" she asked.

Harry looked back at Snape, eager to try these lemony cupcakes, but less eager for Snape to leave him and return to the castle. "I will be back to collect you at 4 O'clock" the man assured the child and, when he was met with a blank stare, he pointed towards the clock on the Weasley's wall "when the shorthand is on four, and the long one is on 12, I will be back" he added.


"Mmm" the child approved through a cake covered smile "these taste real good Miss Molly". The child was sticky all over, small fingers covered in cake residue from the enthusiasm with which he had eaten it.

"Thank you, Harry, I have been perfecting my recipe for quite some time now" she responded, "ah here come the boys" she added with a smile as she heard her children bustling in from the garden towards the smell of freshly baked goods.

Molly Weasley corralled her boys, save her two eldest who had remained at Hogwarts for the weekend, in order to properly introduce them to their guest. She was certain the boys would get along splendidly, though she was also certain that the initial meeting would be a tad overwhelming for the small shy child.

"Harry, this is Percy, he's 9" she introduced, pointing to the eldest of the children that had yet to go to Hogwarts. Percy gave a nod to Harry, his mood soured by the twins who had managed to make his hair stand on end with some kind of muggle electric shock device their father had found. Harry, in return, gave the older boy a shy smile.

"And these two are Fred and George" she began with an admonishing glare at the two, a silent warning not to partake in any misbehaviour that might affect their young guest.

"Hiya Harry" they spoke in unison, their cheeky grins being a much more welcoming greeting than Percy's has been.

Harry grinned back at them "hello".

"And this here is Ronnie" she added, with a smile towards her youngest son "and he's the same age as you are". Molly then turned to the youngest of the clan, the only daughter, "and finally, we have Ginny". Years of introducing her large family had Molly quickly scanning the group again to ensure she had covered them all.

"Charlie said you're wicked with a snitch" Ron spoke proudly as he approached the new child and took a seat at the table next to him, grabbing his own cupcake. "Ever played wizards chess?" the boy asked.


Harry ran up the winding stairs of the burrow, following closely behind his new friend. Every now and again, his new friend would glance back down and smile at him, making sure he was still following as they approached the boy's bedroom at the top of the house. Harry had been in awe of the Weasley house since he had arrived. It was nothing like Snape's quarters, it had its own charm, and Harry thought he wouldn't be able to see everything even if he stayed there for ten years!

"it's a bit small" Ron said quickly as he showed his new friend into his room. "Not like that room you had with the Muggles. And I'm right underneath the ghoul in the attic; he's always banging on the pipes and groaning…" the boy continued nervously, pointing up towards the attic above.

But Harry, grinning widely, said, "This is the best house I've ever been in."

That was all it took for Ron to feel at ease, no longer concerned that his friend might judge his family home or think it pokey and old.

"When's your birthday Harry?" he asked, plopping down on his bed, and tapping it when the boy didn't follow suit, encouraging him to do so.

Harry instantly followed at the gesture, "July 31st" he responded easily, jumping up onto the bed to sit next to the boy "when's yours?".

"March 1st" he responded with a grin, "which is only really a few months away" he added, despite it only being October. "D'you wanna come to my birthday party?" the child continued.

Harry had never been invited to someone's birthday party before, and he wasn't sure whether one was supposed to provide an instant answer. He had seen many of Dudley's parties take place, with lots of food, cake, and games, but since he had never been invited, he wasn't sure what to say.

"You don't have to" his friend muttered sadly, after his question was met with silence.

"No, I really do want to" the child reassured his friend, "would it be okay if I ask Snape first?" the child asked, as his friends smile returned.

"Course you can!" Ron enthused, grabbing his friend by the hand and shouting "Come on, I want to show you the gnomes in the garden, they're massive this year!".


"Harry!" the two boys giggled from their hiding places as they heard the calls from Mrs Weasley coming from downstairs. Ron had suggested that if they hid well enough, Harry could stay and play forever. Harry, on the other hand, was quite content hiding with his new friend, though he wasn't sure he wanted to be there forever. Truth be told, he was quite looking forward to seeing Snape again and telling him all about his day with Ron.

The two could barely contain their giggles as they heard footsteps groaning on the stairs, the audible confirmation that someone was approaching Ron's bedroom. The pair were currently side to side, laying flat underneath Ron's bed as they covered their mouths with their hands in a vein attempt to stifle their laughter.

"Harry" came the soft call of Mrs Weasley as she opened the door to her youngest sons' bedroom with a smile. "Professor Snape is downstairs waiting for you" she added. She did not have the heart to inform either 5-year-old that their chosen hiding place was at such an angle that she could clearly see them, so she instead spoke as though she couldn't see them at all.

"I think I need to go Ron" the child whispered to his friend. Much as he would have liked to play with Ron until he was worn out, he had somewhat missed Snape whilst he had been at the Burrow.

"Will you come back one day?" his new friend asked. Ron certainly had many play companions in his brothers, but it was different to have a friend to call his own. Percy often wanted to pretend he was much older than he was, the twins had each other to play with, and Ginny, well she was a girl. Harry, on the other hand, seemed like the perfect companion.

"You'd really want me to?" Harry returned, somewhat surprised albeit it pleasantly. Even in his year at the muggle primary school, he had never managed to make a friend. Sometimes he would start, but it would soon end after Aunt Petunia had spoken to the new friend's parent. Harry hoped that didn't happen with Ron.

Ron grinned at him, "you could come back tomorrow if you want".


"And the gnomes were this big!" the boy exclaimed excitedly, spreading his arms wide in hopes of reinforcing, to Snape, just how large they had been. They had not long returned home and Snape had decided to cook for the pair of them that evening, giving the house elves a break from their usual duties.

Snape carefully placed the assembled shepherds pie into the oven before turning back to Harry with a raised brow "and not one tried to take a bite out of you?" he enquired, putting on a serious voice.

"nope" the child laughed, shaking his head with pride at having avoided a gnome bite. Miss Molly had said that gnomes were notorious for trying to take a bite out of an unsuspecting Wizard who happened to cross its path. "Miss Molly says you have to make 'em real dizzy an' then they don't know how to get back to the garden" the child laughed again, thinking about the dizzy gnomes wandering around.

"It seems you found their confusion most amusing" the man commented as he placed a gentle hand on the child's back, urging him back into their parlour to wait for the shepherds pie to be ready.

"Did you ever de-gnome the garden Snape?" the child asked as he watched the older man take his usual seat in the armchair. He did not give the older man a chance to respond to his question before he continued through giggles "they walk like this", as he began an impersonation of a thoroughly dizzy gnome.

There was not much that made the Potions Master smile, and even less that made him laugh. Though as he watched the joyous innocence of the boy almost perfectly impersonating a dizzy gnome, cross-eyed and everything, he couldn't help the small chuckle that bubbled up in his chest and broke free on his lips.

"What else did you do with the Weasley boys?" he asked.

"ummm" the child smiled, thinking back on his day before walking towards the man and placing his elbows on the arm of the chair, leaning into them as he spoke.

"shall I show you something wicked cool?" the ginger haired boy asked quietly as the pair walked towards an outbuilding on the property. Harry thought Ron had said that it was his dad's workshop, but he wasn't certain.

Harry answered with his own grin and an enthusiastic nod as the pair of them picked up their pace, running towards the building.

Ron glanced back at the house as they approached the door, checking for any sign that his mother might have seen them heading towards the outbuilding. While he hadn't been told not to go in it before he'd never actually tried, and he had most certainly heard Charlie being told when Charlie had attempted to do so. Though, by Ron's logic, he hadn't personally been told not to and so he was none the wiser. He'd use the same excuse for Harry, he thought.

"Come on, we've gotta be quick" he whispered to Harry as they slipped behind the door into the building, which looked like a small workshop.

"Wow" Harry marvelled at the sight.

"It's mostly just junk really" Ron explained, leading Harry through and towards the back of the workshop.

"Hey, a rubber duck!" Harry pointed out, recognising the toy "Dudley had one of 'em in the bath" the child continued as if, of all the many objects of interest in the room, the duck took precedence.

"Who's Dudley?" Ron asked, face screwed up in thought.

"Oh, he was my cousin" the boy answered, turning away from the duck and back towards his friend "I lived with 'em before Snape came" he continued, as the pair carried on heading towards the back of the workshop.

Ron paused in thought, he hadn't ever really thought about where Harry had lived before he had arrived at Hogwarts. Of course, Charlie had told him he had befriended Harry Potter, and thought the child would get along with Ron. However, Ron hadn't thought to ask why Harry Potter had started living at Hogwarts, he was just excited at the prospect of a friend his own age.

"Is it here?" Harry asked excitedly, assuming Ron had stopped because they had reached the place Ron had been hoping to show him.

Ron blinked back at Harry, having been snapped out of his thoughts by the question "Oh, no not yet" the child answered glancing away before continuing his walk "it's like this little mirror thing, but you can see a whole different person in there!" he explained. The pair walked a little further before Ron stopped again, crouching underneath a worktable to pull a heavy wooden box towards them. He flicked the lid and there it was resting on the top of the pile.

"What does it do?" Harry asked, leaning over the boy's shoulder to get a better look at this shard of mirror that appeared to have captivated him.

"I don't know" he answered turning around and plopping himself down on the floor crossed legged as Harry followed suit. They both looked at it a while, but whoever this mystery man Ron claimed to have seen in the past was, he was not present. "Sometimes he's not there" the boy explained apologetically, hopeful that his friend wouldn't be disappointed.

"That's okay" he smiled at Ron, not disappointed in the least. He didn't think he'd ever had so much fun with another child before, and he could care less about this strange man in the mirror.

Ron smiled back at him before standing and pushing the wooden box back in place "we should head back before Mum starts looking for us" he noted, holding a hand out to Harry to help him up.

"Wanna do some more gnomes on the way back?" Harry asked, as the pair began walking back towards the door

"Sure" Ron shrugged. He liked a good de-gnoming session as much as the next person, though he was beginning to think he didn't like it quite so much as Harry did; the novelty clearly not yet lost on him. "You want have that rubber duck?" Ron asked casually, pointing towards the object Harry had spotted when he went in.

Harry looked at Ron in surprise, taken aback by the offer "I can't just take it Ron" he explained.

"Sure, you can" the boy answered, "you're my friend".

"It sounds like you enjoyed your time with Ronald" the man commented as the child yawned out the last of his story. Somewhere throughout his retelling of his day, Harry had moved from his position leaning against the armchair to slouching in Snape's lap.

"Mmhmm" the child affirmed tiredly "and he said he's my friend" he managed through a sleepy smile. The older man smiled back, hiding the pang of sadness he felt at the child expressing such joy over a simple confirmation of friendship.

Snape rubbed the small back as the child's eye's closed and he began succumbing to sleep "I think a nap is in order" the man spoke softly as he stood with the boy. The silence that met his ears confirmed that Harry was fast asleep as he placed the child in bed and dimmed the lights. "I am sure you will make many friends Harry" he spoke softly to the sleeping child. Then, he walked back to the kitchen where he took the now finished shephered pie out of the oven, waving a stasis spell over it ready for when the child would wake.