A/N: Hi Guys!

How does an author go from posting every 2 years to posting on consecutive days? I have no idea haha! But I'm so glad that you guys are still around and I heard back from quite a few of you and it warms my heart to read about how you all are enjoying the story.

I have also had quite a few suggestions from you all about what house Harry should be sorted in. I'm still making up my mind on that one and trying to see which will fit best into the story BUT I would LOVE to hear if you guys have any other suggestions or maybe give your input on where you think Harry should be sorted into.

So without further delay, here's the next chapter… Let me know what you think!

xoxo

"This is the Great Hall," announced Severus as they entered.

"What does it look like?" asked Harry.

Severus took Harrys' hand, the one not on his arm and placed it on the table top that they were walking alongside.

He watched how the boys' hand dragged over the surface, "During the school year, there are four tables such as these, one for each house. When the term is over, there is just one, just like now, for the staff and students that decide to stay over at the castle during the holiday. It is only while the year is still in progress that students are allowed to remain at the castle during the breaks."

"So technically I shouldn't be here?" enquired Harry.

"Technically not," answered Severus, "But it is an usual situation hence we have made the necessary arrangements."

Harrys' face grew darker as he seemed to be lost in thought, but thankfully they had reached the end of the table so Severus had reason to call for his attention.

Severus brought them to a stop in front of the platform where the Head Table stood. He reached out and took Harrys' hand, leading him forward until he could place his hand on the platform.

"This is where the teachers sit. High enough to look over the entire hall. Come," he grasped that same hand and guided Harry towards and up the few steps.

This time he placed Harrys' hand on one of the chairs at the Head Table and guided him forward.

They walked in silence for a while until Harrys' hand landed on the Headmasters' chair.

"This one feels different," said Harry as he placed his other hand on the chair and began to feel the intricate design on the backrest.

"That is the Headmasters' seat," offered Severus as an explanation.

"Huh," huffed out Harry, "Seems more comfortable… How is your back, Professor Snape?"

Severus narrowed his eyes and heaved a sigh, "That is enough out of you, Potter," Harry just laughed, "Let us get back to our table so that we may have lunch."

Xxx

Once they were seated next to each other, the food appeared on the table and it seemed that Harry didn't need his sight to know that.

"That smells great, is the food here? What is it?"

Severus smiled to himself, "Yes it is."

They ate in silence for a while until halfway through a piece of chicken, Harry asked, "Who cooks the food here? And how come the food got here without anyone coming in?"

"The kitchen is directly under the Great Hall and the house elves who-"

"House elves?!" exclaimed Harry.

"Yes, they take care of the cooking and chores around the castle," explained Severus.

"So they're slaves…" Harry was quiet for a moment and before he could say anything else, Albus and Hagrid entered.

"Ah, Professor Snape and Harry."

"Headmaster, Hagrid" greeted Severus with an inclination of his head.

"Harry! Yer getting along fine with the professor then?" questioned Hagrid.

Harrys' response was lost as at the same moment Albus requested Severus to join him in the corridor.

When they were out of earshot, Albus spoke.

"I trust that you have been making progress with the boy then?"

"We have started with the absolute basics but dare I say that Potter may actually be teachable. However I cannot delve into magic without him having a wand," he thought for a moment, "I will need someone to accompany Potter at some point to go get his school supplies."

"Surely you can go to Diagon Alley with the boy," said Albus.

Severus made sure that they hadn't attracted Harry and Hagrids' attention before he spoke, "You know that I cannot be seen in public with the boy. The Dark Lord undoubtedly has followers who have made it their job to spy for him and if I am spotted with Potter, it would make it difficult for me to re-join his top ranks when he returns."

"Well then, Severus, I would have to arrange a trip for Hagrid to accompany him then."

"Hagrid?" said Severus incredulously, "Albus, what fascination do you have with sending him after Potter time and time again when what the boy actually needs is someone who will be able to protect him should the need arise."

"Are you saying that Hagrid will not be able to take care of Harry?"

"I'm saying," said Severus in a tone he reserved for only the most insipid of people, "That the boy needs to at least have someone who can perform magic by his side when he ventures out into the wizarding world."

"Well you are not up to the task so that leaves us with Hagrid."

"I have a valid reason!" Severus was close to shouting, "Why can't you go with the boy?"

Albus sighed, "Severus, I'm afraid we have severely digressed from the actual reason for which I asked to speak with you."

Severus ignored the Headmasters' chastising look and responded in a clipped tone, "And what is that?"

"Since Harry spent last night in the hospital wing, we need to discuss where he will be residing from tonight until term begins."

Severus nodded, "There are multiple private quarters throughout the castle, I'm sure the house elves can have one of them ready for him by tonight."

"Severus," started Albus, "I don't believe that I am comfortable with having him live all by himself in a castle that is still so foreign to him…"

Severus was sure that he was not going to like where the Headmaster was heading with this, "So…"

"So I think that it would be reasonable to have Harry housed in the spare room you have in your living quarters."

"Absolutely not."

"You are going to be training him. A vast part of his day will be spent in your company and he is comfortable with you, I believe that it is a terrific idea," replied Albus.

"It is a terrible idea," protested Severus, "We will already be spending most of our day together. I need privacy and my own personal time away from babysitting Potter."

"You will have your separate rooms within your quarters. I am not asking you to look over his shoulder 24/7."

"This will go on till term begins, at which point I will have to go back to teaching the miscreants that walk these halls. You are basically bouncing me from one responsibility to the next, might I remind you, during which was supposed to be my break from school."

"Severus-"

"But of course, you have made up your mind and I do not have a say so how could I possibly refuse?"

Severus turned to go back in to the Great Hall when Albus spoke again, "I will let you know about that trip to Diagon Alley."

Severus ignored him and re-joined the table.

Xxx

Severus' mood was sour throughout the rest of lunch but lucky for Harry, Hagrid filled in all the silence and kept Harry entertained.

When the half giant eventually left them, Harry turned to Severus, "What are we doing next?"

Severus could not imagine himself actively training the boy for the rest of the day so he thought of an alternative, "We will go to the library. There is a book there that I'm sure will interest you."

Xxx

In the library, Severus located Hogwarts: A History and left a note for Madam Pince that he was checking it out.

Harry ran his hands over the cover, "Are you going to read this to me?"

Severus led them down towards the dungeons, "I will be using the afternoon to work on a potion that I am hoping will be able to improve your situation. I will charm the book so that it narrates the text to you."

Harry looked impressed, "So I won't be learning about potions?"

"I need you to have a theoretical knowledge of potion making beforehand and while I will be tutoring you on the subject soon, I feel that this potion might make that process much easier for us both."

Harry nodded, "So what is the book about?"

"It is the history of Hogwarts," explained Severus, "There are various important historical events included in the book but I expect you will find it interesting to learn all about this new world that you have suddenly become a part of."

"Great," replied Harry.

They walked in silence, only stopping when Severus pointed out a few things along the way.

When they stopped eventually after walking for a while, Severus touched the door they were in front of and said, "Belladonna."

"What was that?" asked Harry, confused.

"That was the password to my personal rooms which you will not share with anyone else, thank you very much."

"Yeah because I was dying to tell it to those paintings I met earlier…" muttered Harry.

Severus shook his head as they entered and left Harry standing in the living area before checking the spare bedroom to his left.

He returned to Harry and said, "The Headmaster has decided that you will reside in the spare room in my quarters until the start of term. He has already had your belongings sent down."

Severus led Harry to the spare bedroom, "Are you okay with that? Having me in your private living space, I mean."

Severus tried not to let irritation colour his tone, "The headmaster believes that it is best. There are rooms that are off limit of course. My bedroom and my lab are out of bounds. You are free to the rest of the quarters, however you will need to inform me should you wish to leave the quarters at any point in time."

Harry nodded, "That sounds fine."

Severus took the book from him and tapped his wand against the cover, "The moment you open the book, it should start narrating the text for you. It will stop when you close it."

Harry took the book back, "Thank you Professor."

Severus nodded and looked around. He had a sudden idea about how to help the boy adapt a little bit more.

"Tinky."

There was a pop and then a squeaky voice, "Yes, Master Snape?"

Harrys' eyes were wide, "What just happened?"

"Potter, this is my personal House Elf, Tinky."

Harry reached a hand in the direction that he heard the squeaky voice come from.

The house elf looked at Severus, as if asking for permission, and when he nodded, Tinky extended her hand towards Harrys'.

Severus watched the raise in the boys' eyebrows when he made contact with the elf but he did not flinch away from the touch. Instead he ran his hand further up the elves' arm and stopped, "Is this okay? I only want to know what you look like."

"Master Potter is welcome, sir."

Harry smiled and then continued. His hand met a bony shoulder and then lifted to the flappy ear that brushed his hand, "This is one of your ears?"

The elf nodded and took the book from Harry, guiding his now free hand to her other ear.

Harry felt along the top of her head and then used his palms to lightly run along her face, over her eyes and down her droopy nose before he let his hands fall to his sides, "Are you as tall as my hip?"

"That would be correct, sir."

Harry looked proud of himself and Severus couldn't fault him, he was impressed by the way that the boy used touch to fill in the blanks about how something or someone looked.

Severus cleared his throat, "Tinky, you will be in charge of assisting Mr Potter to become better accustomed to his surroundings here. Get him what he needs and help him unpack. Ensure he knows where everything is stored so that he may get to it even when he is by himself.

"Of course, Master Snape."

Severus looked at Harry, "I will be in my lab. Should you need me, call for Tinky to come get me."

Xxx

Severus sat in his lab noting down potion ingredients.

He had everything in stock and he was sure that it wouldn't take him more than a full day to complete the potion. He wanted to have it ready at least before Harry headed to Diagon Alley because he suspected that Albus was going to send Harry with Hagrid after all and he would feel more at ease knowing that the boy at least had heightened senses to guide him through the trip. He supposed that he'd also have to send Tinky along as more of an invisible insurance policy, but he'd think of that when the time arrived.

By the time that he'd gathered his ingredients and set up for making the potion, his stomach grumbled and so he took one last look at his preparations for the next day before exiting the lab.

Harry wasn't in the living area so Severus knocked lightly at his ajar bedroom door.

There was no response so he nudged the door open further and found Harry soundly asleep with the book closed but on the floor.

He walked in, picked up the book and placed it on the nightstand before waking the boy.

"Hmmm, yeah?" mumbled Harry as he woke.

"You fell asleep, Harry."

Harry sat up and rubbed both hands over his face, "Sorry… the book," he started to feel around the bed for it but Severus said, "It is now safely on the nightstand. Was it that boring?"

Harry looked sheepish, "It was great but there were a few things in more detail than I cared to know."

Severus chuckled, "Well it is time for dinner anyway. You can call Tinky to bring you your food here instead of going to the Great Hall."

"That would be great. Thanks."

"It is no trouble. Get some rest afterwards and I shall see you in the morning."

Harry nodded and thanked Severus again before he was left alone once more.

Xxx

Harry thought that dinner was just as good as lunch but then Tinky brought him something called Treacle tart and he was pretty sure it couldn't get any better than that.

When Tinky arrived to clear away his dishes, he asked her to come back and keep him company.

His earlier nap had cleared away any need to sleep at the moment and he was interested to learn more about Tinky.

When Tinky came back, he asked her about any other house elves in the castle and she told him about all the elves in the kitchen but when Harry asked, she refused to tell him where exactly the kitchen was.

Harry learned that house elves were peculiar.

Tinky had dissolved into tears when Harry asked her to sit next to him on his bed; it took a while to get her to quieten down but he was sure the Professor heard.

Tinky explained how the food appears in the Great Hall and how all the chores are done before the occupants of the castle wakes.

She told him how Professor Snape was one of the kindest wizards even though everyone thought he was a mean grump.

When Harry tried to ask more about why people said that, Tinky started knocking her head against the nightstand in punishment for speaking ill of her master but Harry ensured her that she hadn't purposely been offensive towards the Professor.

Tinky promised Harry that if the Professor allowed, she would take him around the castle, and then she left him for the night.

Harry lay back in bed, smile on his face and utterly relaxed.

He was safe, he had a friend in Tinky and he was being protected and taught by Professor Snape. He had a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in and a tummy full of food.

He was going to enjoy being a wizard.

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