Thanks to all reviewers

Nightshade Beam, myrhfire, Energeezer, lois, Katykat1010, Elessar, azntgr01, anonymus, Rei, Kylie, Prongs4, lollipozz, Mella deRanged, Guardian angel of wolves, athenakitty, crazyfanfictionfanatic, Heilo the Anthro-schyzo-crow, LilPup, coolpadfoot, The Dark Vella, Lady Lightning, Porcelain Princess, darren, Anora, kaylyn, Solo

iCy CaNdY, Rachel A. Prongs I combined prologue with chapter 1, that's why there's no 'chapter 10'.

Lady Cinnibar I know. *sighs* the writing just didn't work out.

jesusfreak7777777 Dan might come back, but I haven't worked it out so we'll see.

Nabiki He'll more likely blame the Dursleys and Keleman instead of Dumbledore.

SerenityBliss I guess it means… dark/ shades of grey.

Chapter 9

"My rooms are down the corridor," said Snape, walking so fast that Harry struggled to keep up. They stopped before a set of doors but did not enter. Snape turned to look at him sternly. "You are not to enter without my permission, especially when I'm not around."

"Yes, sir," said Harry.

This seemed to be going on forever since after breakfast, passing numerous doors that somehow looks no different, yet leading to rooms of various uses. So far they had been to the dining room, kitchens, dungeons, potions workroom, the study, and the latest being his uncle's private rooms. The last four of which he was forbidden to enter without his uncle or his permission.

"Good. Now, the library is on the third level, same as the South Tower." Harry followed him up, and couldn't help gasping as they stepped past another large wooden door into the library. It had the highest ceiling, tapering towards an apex two-thirds from the floor. The room was rounded; shelves of books molded to the original perimeter of the wall, giving an impression of a hollow cylinder of books. Rays of morning sunlight filtered in through intermittent breaks of colored glass panes between the shelves, casting shades of blue, red and green around the room. Lifting his head, Harry could see through the glass apex to the clear blue sky outside. He brought his gaze, with effort, down from the view overhead to the ground floor. Several comfortable chairs and a large table filled the space. Vaguely, he felt the weight of his uncle's amused gaze on him as he stood awestruck at the pure beauty of the library.

"I gather you like it?"

"Like it? This is amazing! I've never seen a library like this," said Harry enthusiastically.

A small smile tugged at the man's lips. "Well, you can come here as often as you like. But do not take the books out of the room. I don't want them to go missing." He strode to the center of the room where a large book lay open, floating in midair. "This book contains the titles of all the books here, including what subject it is related to, level of expertise, the author, year of publishing and so on. You can search by these categories. Just tap your wand…"

Harry watched in fascination as his uncle tapped at 'subject', then 'potions' out of those which appeared. "You can narrow down your search to say, level of expertise."

Tap.

"Basic."

Another tap.

"And finally, 'list' to get the books that you're looking for. Tap on the title to get more information on the book like summary and where to find it."

Harry nodded but raised a question. "I don't have a wand."

Snape paused. "I'll let you use your mother's wand for the time being. But I don't want you to try spells without supervision."

"Yes, sir. Erm, how do I get the books? Some of the shelves are so high."

"There are magic carpets that you can use to fly up to get the books," said Snape, indicating to two or three rolled up carpets leaning against a table.

Harry's eyes widened in childish delight. "It can fly?"

"Yes. Wizards usually use broomsticks to fly, though carpets can also be enchanted to do the same."

"Wow."

The dreamy look on the boy's face tugged at his heartstrings; dimly he heard himself saying, "If you like flying so much, you might want to learn Quidditch. It's a sport played on broomsticks."

"You'll teach me?"

Snape hesitated, and finally said, albeit grudgingly, "If you want."

"Really? Thank you!" Harry smiled brilliantly up at him.

Staring into the bright green eyes, he found himself lost in another memory.

~

"Aww, come on Luc. Don't be a spoilsport." Lily pleaded with the scowling dark-haired boy.

He folded his arms across his chest and shook his head firmly. "No way. I don't like flying."

"Pretty please? We're only short of one player for a 5 on 5 Quidditch game. And I know you've finished all your work." Lily teased.

"Don't you have other better options for the last player?" he muttered.

Lily pretended to think. "Well, there is Frank Longbottom, who can't control the broom; Peter is afraid of heights; Remus is sick. And then there's you, who doesn't have any work to do, is healthy and not afraid of heights, and can fly decently."

He hid a reluctant smile at Lily's reasoning, but groused, "Can fly decently indeed."

Lily threw up her hands. "Oh ok, you're a brilliant flyer who just doesn't like flying. Happy? Now, can we go?"

"Whining doesn't become you, Lil." He leaned back against the comfortable black couch, slowing thumbing through Moste Potente Potions, intent on winding her up.

"Sevvie," Lily said in a singsong voice.

He winced, and glared at her. "You know I hate people calling me that. And in that voice too."

She smiled sweetly. "Oh I know."

He snapped the book shut and placed it back on the shelves, stalking out of the library door.

"See you at the Quidditch Pitch," she called cheerfully after him.

"Yay, we won!" Lily hugged him laughingly; her eyes bright and sparkling, cheeks flushed from the exertions of the close game.

"I told you it would be fun." Her obvious happiness was contagious and he found himself smiling back at her.

"Now, what do you say to another Quidditch game?"

He hesitated, and unable to refuse her, finally said, "If you want."

"Really? Thank you!" Lily smiled brilliantly up at him.

~

"Let's go," Snape said abruptly. "We still haven't covered the manor grounds yet."

Harry's smile faltered, puzzled at the sudden change in mood. His uncle was almost nice a moment ago. Did he say something wrong? He sighed mentally and cast a longing glance at the numerous books before turning to follow.

They finished the tour of the manor grounds before lunchtime. It wasn't a lot; just the main ones like the Owlery, the greenhouse, and the Quidditch Pitch.

"Do you think you can manage your way around the manor or do you need a map?" He needed to make sure the boy wouldn't get lost while he wasn't around.

"I- " Harry seemed uncertain.

He sighed, "Very well, I shall give you a house map later."

"Thank you."

The awkward silence continued all the way back to the manor.

Harry sank down on his bed, thinking about the strange behavior of his uncle. He wasn't cruel like Keleman, nor was he nice like… well, other people. He seemed distant and impersonal mostly, with moods that change suddenly and abruptly for no reasons that he could think of. It was so hard to figure him out. Harry frowned in concentration, trying to analyze his behavior but came up blank. Perhaps all wizards were just strange that way.

Suddenly he missed Dan and his comforting presence. Their relationship was uncomplicated, and it was clear where they stood with each other. Unlike this unknown relationship he had with his uncle that was about as clear as an eutrophicated pond and as certain as the success of walking on a tightrope for one with no prior experience. People were less of a puzzle back at the orphanage and at school, straightforward in their feelings and actions. If someone didn't like him, they'd ignore him at best and beat him at worst. He could deal with that, had coped with the beatings and bullying and survived. Cold shoulders had brushed past him like the air; they don't hurt coming from people he could care less about. He just wasn't used to the hot and cold attitude changes coming from the man.

And Dan… he would not know that he was no longer at the orphanage. Harry bit his lip worriedly. He wanted to tell Dan about what had happened, but would he still accept him and be happy for him? Or would he think that it's unnatural and freak out? There was no one he could talk to, except his uncle who seemed so… forbidding.

//Master?//

Harry looked down and saw the colorful snake on the grey carpeted floor. //yes Sandy?// he hissed, stretching out a hand to let her slither onto and placing her gently on the bed.

//Are you ok?//

//Yes…// he hissed distractedly, feeling the cool scales beneath his fingers as he stroked her.

//You look worried.// she observed.

Harry was startled for a while. //I supposed I am.// he agreed.

//About what?//

//You know Dan?//

//Yes… your brother who was adopted.//

Harry smiled sadly. //I don't know if I should tell him about being a wizard.//

//Why?//

//He might hate me.//

//I thought he loves you.//

//He does! It's just… //

//He's a Muggle and might not understand?//

Harry nodded.

//You wouldn't know if you don't tell him. If he really loves you, he wouldn't care.//

//I suppose you're right…//

Sandy, seeing her master still so distracted and radiating worry and insecurity, slithered up his arm and flicked her forked tongue at his neck in an attempt to reassure him.

Harry giggled, his worries momentarily forgotten as he tried to stop her. //Stop. It's ticklish.//

//Ah, you're ticklish.// Sandy said mischievously, her eyes gleaming as she resumed her 'attack'.

And sounds of breathless laughter filled the room, echoing down the corridor; a child's true laughter that had not been heard in the manor for a long, long time.

A/n: just thought I'd write another chapter before I go off on a long study break for exams. I planned for this chapter to progress to Christmas, but it didn't work out.

Some questions for reviewers: what do you think of 1) Snape's characterization 2) Harry's characterization 3) Luc's relationship with Lily (believable or?)

4) Should I write a bit more on Harry at the manor or do you want him at Hogwarts soon? (I want to know what readers think/feel, although I may or may not follow.)