Author's Note:

OK guys- this is a long one. And I hope it's a VERY satisfying one. So, pour yourself a cup of tea (or a glass of wine, whatever your preference) and enjoy.

Also, I shouldn't need to say this, but this is a work of fiction and Snape is NOT going to be authoring any parenting books any time soon. So please know, that while Snape dispenses parenting advice galore in this chapter, he is not a parenting expert or a child psychologist, lol. He's a fictional character of a different time and place and his views do NOT reflect the views of the author. Although I do enjoy writing him on his self-rigteous soap box :)

Snape awoke with a start, pins and needles in his left arm. He looked around and realized he'd fallen asleep on Harry's bed with the boy still curled up with his head in his lap. He could tell by the light streaming into the room that it was now early in the afternoon. Dammit, he cursed to himself. His left hand was asleep where it was crushed between his leg and Harry's side. He tried to pull it free but Harry stirred slightly and he froze, not wanting to wake him.

He glanced down at the sleeping boy with his stuffed dragon still held between his arms and a look of absolute peace and contentment on his face. Snape didn't know if he could get up without rousing the boy, so he sat quietly for another few minutes while he contemplated his options.

Once he'd finally worked his hands free, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out his wand, levitating Harry just enough for him to slowly get out from underneath him. Before he put Harry back down, he rearranged the pillows so he could set him down gently in a way where his head and neck were still supported and he hopefully wouldn't notice his human pillow was missing.

With a flick of his wand, he dampened the afternoon sun coming through the window, hoping Harry could continue to sleep as long as his body needed to. Snape had never been one for idleness or sloth, and even with his Slytherins it was rare he granted them a lie in, even when they were ill, but he knew that Harry's body and mind needed to rest right now, and he was going to let him take all the time he needed.

Snape crept quietly out of the room, checking with a few silent flicks of his wand that his wards and alarms were still in place. Just in case, he left the bedroom door slightly ajar, casting an additional silencing spell outside of his room to ensure that no sounds from inside the house would wake him.

After ensuring the boy was undisturbed, Snape went to the kitchen to find some lunch. He had planned to spend the day experimenting with some potions to see if he could find something that might help speed Harry's recovery. The disastrous morning and his unexpected nap had put him behind schedule, but he figured he could at least get a few of them started before Harry woke up.

The refrigerator was still chocked full of food brought by generous neighbors and he pulled out a pasta salad, serving himself a plate and sitting down at the kitchen table with a copious pile of notes beside him. He slowly shoveled in a few bites between making notes and corrections on some of the protocols he'd put together, deciding to start on two of his most promising potions that afternoon.

He was just rinsing his plate in the sink when he heard the floo roar to life in the parlor.

"Severus? Are you there?"

Snape recognized the voice instantly and he froze. He turned off the faucet and dabbed his face with a paper towel before drying his hands and making his way to the fireplace.

"Master Barclay?" Snape stood in front of the flames with a confused look on his face, his mentor almost never floo'd him without prior notice. "Is everything alright?"

"Do you mind if I come through?" the older wizard asked in a polite tone, but one which Snape knew he couldn't possibly refuse.

"By all means." Snape motioned for him to come in, caught off-guard by the unexpected visit, but not wanting to be rude.

Barclay stepped through, brushing at his clothes with one hand as he did so. "Good to see you, Severus. I apologize for showing up without invitation, but I've decided to offer my assistance. I know you'd never invite me or ask explicitly for my help, so I do hope you'll forgive my intrusion, I just felt I could be of more use to you if I were here."

Snape glanced down at the black leather bag in Barclay's hand before looking up at the man with a look of surprise and mild annoyance. He arched his brow and exhaled audibly. "How long are you planning to stay?"

"As long as I'm needed. Perhaps you can show me to the guest room and then we can sit down for some tea and brainstorming."

Snape reached for the older man's bag but Barclay pulled his arm back. "I'm not that old and decrepit, Severus, just show me the way."

They walked down the hall to the guest room adjacent to Harry's room. Snape opened the door and indicated for Barclay to go ahead. "Please, take your time and get comfortable. Make any modifications you need and freshen up, I'll put the kettle on."

Snape returned to the kitchen to make a new pot of tea. He silently cursed to himself. On the one hand, he was glad to see his mentor, especially since he could use his help with the potions, on the other, he wasn't ever one for guests, especially those who came unannounced. He rubbed at his temples while he waited for the water to boil. He knew there was no getting out of this now, he'd just have to deal with it. Once Barclay had made up his mind, there was no arguing with him.

Barclay had made himself at home on the couch when Snape walked in with the tea service. He set it down on the small table in the parlor before pouring two cups and then settling himself into his armchair. He reached for the cups and handed one to Barclay, sipping quietly at his tea while he waited for the older wizard to explain himself.

The two sat in silence for a minute while Barclay finished pouring milk in his tea, stirring it dramatically with a spoon before helping himself to two ginger biscuits. "How's Harry doing?"

Snape closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. "He's not getting better. In fact, I'd say he was quite worse today. We had a horrific morning which may or may not have included the throwing of forks, combs, and even a kick to the sink. He's frustrated and angry, understandably, but I'm not sure what to do."

Barclay nodded. "I know. That's why I'm here. How are you doing, Severus? You've been through a lot as well."

A small scoff came out of Snape's mouth. "I'm perfectly fine, this is not about me. I just want to see Harry get better. I've written up some protocols for a few potions I'd like to try. I sent you a few that I thought were promising, did you have a chance to read over my notes?"

Barclay put a hand up to stop him. "We have plenty of time to work on solutions for Harry. I'm asking about you. You've had a very traumatic week and I'm quite concerned about your own well-being. You look like you haven't slept in ages. And you're more gaunt than usual. You realize you can't take care of Harry if you're not taking care of yourself."

"I'm fine," Snape hissed, feeling indignant. "I'm perfectly capable of caring for Harry. While I welcome your feedback on the potions I've sent you, I certainly don't need you to stay here for my benefit. I'm a grown wizard, I can take care of myself. I certainly don't need a minder."

"I'm not questioning your dedication or ability, Severus. I'm merely offering my support, and letting you know that perhaps you need someone to be there for you as well. I told you that when I agreed to support you in this apprenticeship. So, I'm here. I want to help, and I'm sorry to say you don't have a choice in the matter."

Snape took an angry gulp of his tea and set down his cup with force, a few drops of dark liquid splashing onto the saucer. There had been many times in his life where he'd dealt with difficult situations, but he'd always survived them, and he was irritated that the old man thought he was incapable of taking care of things on his own. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm perfectly well."

The room was silent for several minutes while the men brooded and drank their tea. Finally, Master Barclay spoke up once more, softening his tone. "Well, I hope you'll at least do me the favor of allowing me to assist you in brewing some healing potions. Besides, I've been wanting to spend some time getting to know young Mr. Potter, so I hope you won't object."

With his emotional outburst now down to a low simmer, Snape composed himself, not wanting to seem completely ungrateful. "Of course not. And your advice and assistance is most appreciated. The more minds we have on this, the better. I just want to see Harry well again as soon as possible."

Barclay nodded. "As do I. I've read Poppy's notes and have discussed things in detail with some other healers, both in Britain and abroad. I went through your notes and I think you're definitely on the right track, but I have a few more ideas if you'd be open to them."

Snape sat up in his chair and set his teacup down, this time with more measured control. "Please, do go on."

For the next hour, the two Potions Masters discussed protocols and ideas, and Snape had never felt so grateful to have his mentor's insight and advice as they brainstormed ingredients for potions and salves. As they talked, Snape could feel the tension in his body unwinding. He would never admit it, and it wounded his ego slightly, but he was relieved not to be going through this alone.

After they'd come up with a plan, Barclay changed the subject. "Have you called the Muggle specialists yet? I think it might be a good idea to have Harry working with them for the time being."

"Who exactly are you referring to?" Snape asked, a bit incredulous. He was hoping they'd find a magical solution long before they needed to involve the muggle doctors again.

"The occupational and physical therapists. Healing nerve damage can be complicated, it wouldn't hurt for Harry to have people working with him in the meantime."

"Do you really think that's necessary?" Snape had been dreading having to have them in the house several times a week.

"I think it might help him immensely, psychologically as well as physically. Harry may become increasingly despondent if he doesn't start to make progress soon." Barclay set down his empty cup and picked up a biscuit, choosing his next words carefully. "Speaking of psychological help, I've found a wonderful witch who does mental healing and counseling and I think it would be helpful for you and Harry to start seeing her. She's supposed to be very good. And very discreet."

Snape scrunched his face up slightly at the suggestion. "I really don't need a mind healer, Master Barclay. Although I'm open to having Harry see one. Who is she?"

"She comes very well recommended. Her name is Vivian Roderick, and she is excellent. She is a specialist in trauma, and she works with children and families. Muggleborn, I believe, and I've heard she's quite practiced in both muggle and magical techniques. You and Harry have experienced something very difficult, and I think you'd both benefit from speaking with her- together and separately."

"I'll send Harry, but I assure you I will not be seeing her on my own." Snape gripped the handle of his teacup tightly and forced the cup to his lips. He took a long sip and breathed out. "Harry is the one who suffered trauma, I was merely a bystander."

Barclay smiled at Snape, knowing full well the man would never admit to his own feelings. "Well perhaps it might be helpful for Harry to have you there for some sessions, so he feels your support. It's always good to model healthy behavior, so perhaps he will be more open to it if he sees you participating."

Once again, Barclay had played his hand adeptly and Snape paused for a moment before responding. "Fine. I'll think about it."

"In the meantime, perhaps you can call and set-up the physical therapy. The sooner the better, I believe," Barclay said nonchalantly. "I'll be here to assist you with brewing and with Harry, so just let me know what you need."

Snape knew he should be grateful but he was starting to feel a bit anxious at the loss of control over everything. He didn't know if he could do all of this with Barclay over his shoulder. He just wanted things to get back to normal. It made him feel uncomfortable to depend on anyone else, he was not one who asked for or easily accepted help from others. Does he find me unfit for the task, is that why he's here? Perhaps he doesn't trust me to care for Harry on my own. After all, Harry only got into this situation because I failed to look out for him properly. Snape's mind was reeling with self-doubt and he let out a dramatic sigh in frustration.

"Well, why don't I go ahead to the lab and start setting things up?" Barclay dabbed at his goatee with a napkin before setting it down next to his cup.

Snape just nodded his head. It had been a long time since Master Barclay had been the one calling the shots, and as irritated as he was at the whole idea of it, it almost felt good to have someone else making decisions. "I've cast sound amplifiers and wards on Harry's room, so we'll hear him if he wakes up or needs anything."

"Excellent. Harry is very lucky to have you, Severus, I know you've been taking excellent care of him. I'm only here to help you and make sure you have some support as well. Why don't you make those phone calls and then join me in the lab." As usual he phrased it as a helpful suggestion but Snape knew he expected him to do just as he asked and Snape respected the man enough not to argue.

Barclay smiled at him and then walked over to the bookcase where he tapped on the appropriate books and said the incantation which revealed the hidden staircase to the potion's lab. "I'll see you shortly," he said as he collected his notes and made his way down the spiral stairs.

Snape brought the dishes to the sink and stood for a moment dumbstruck in the kitchen. He knew it could only be a good thing to have Master Barclay there to help him, especially with the potions, but it felt odd to have someone show up for him in this way. He knew there was nothing he could say to get rid of the man, so he'd have to just accept it, but his feelings were complicated. He reached up to massage the bridge of his nose before he pulled Harry's hospital discharge papers out of the drawer and picked up the phone.

After Snape got off the phone, he poked his head back into Harry's room where he saw the boy was still deep in sleep. He stared at the sleeping boy for several minutes before he finally pulled himself away and made his way down the stairs to the basement lab.

Master Barclay was already hard at work preparing multiple ingredients and overseeing three cauldrons going at once. Snape joined in and Barclay put him straight to work, directing him easily to the tasks at hand. It had been more than a decade since the two had stood like this in a potion's lab, brewing furiously side by side with few words exchanged, but somehow they found a rhythm as though no time had passed.

Now that he'd accepted that Barclay was here to stay, Snape actually felt a burst of excited energy; it was the first time in years he'd felt this motivated to create an original potion and he was looking forward to the challenge and the technical work. Doing it alongside his mentor was an added bonus. The two of them could read each other perfectly without saying a word and there was no other Potions Master on the planet Snape trusted as much as Master Barclay.

When Snape's wand alerted him that Harry was awake, he looked over at Master Barclay who immediately understood. He flicked his head toward the stairs. "Go take care of your boy, I'll be here."

Snape took off his robes and rushed up the stairs into Harry's room where he found the boy sitting patiently with his legs dangling from the side of the bed. When he saw Snape in the doorway, he looked up with a worried look on his face.

"I didn't get out of bed, I swear," Harry said, remembering the ire he'd faced when he'd gotten up without permission earlier in the morning.

Snape crossed his arms over his chest and smirked down at the boy. "Well, well, who knew you were actually capable of following instructions? Perhaps I should alert the Vatican, this is certainly a miracle for the ages."

Harry cocked his head to the side and gave him a sarcastic smile. "Ha ha, very funny. I can actually listen, you know."

"Well at least now I know that you thrive under the threat of grievous bodily harm." Snape's lip curled upward as walked over to Harry. "How are you feeling?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Still tired even though all I do is sleep."

"It will take some time to heal from all of this, Harry. You've been through a lot. So respect your body and take all of the rest you need. Besides, you should enjoy it while you can, I plan to work you to the bone as soon as you're well again."

Harry smiled, he liked it when Snape was in the mood for a bit of banter.

Snape sat down on the edge of Harry's bed. "Sit back for a moment, Harry, I want to talk to you about a few things."

A look of concern flashed across Harry's face but he did as he was told and scooted back in the bed, putting his shoulders against the bedframe and pulling his knees up to his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around them.

"Relax, there's nothing to worry about," Snape said, turning toward him and putting a hand on his knee. "Master Barclay has decided to come and stay for a few days. He's going to help me brew some potions for you."

Harry's face lit up as his hands fell to the bed. "He's coming! When?"

"He just arrived, actually. He's working in the potion's lab as we speak. As you know he's a very talented Potions Master and he's also consulted with a lot of well-known healers, so I'm hoping together we can come up with something that will help you."

"Wicked," Harry replied, his body visibly relaxing. He stretched out his legs and he picked up his dragon, absent-mindedly playing with his tail while he waited for Snape to continue.

"Indeed. While we work on the magical solutions, I've also set up appointments for the occupational and physical therapists to come and work with you starting from tomorrow. I'm confident we'll find some wonderful potions to heal you, but I think it would be helpful for you to strengthen your muscles while we're working on it." Snape paused and looked at Harry's face. "I want to do everything to help you, Harry. So we're going to use every resource available, both magical and muggle, to get you well."

Harry just nodded his head. He'd never had anyone take care of him in this way and he wasn't sure how to respond. But he was desperate to get better again, so he would agree to almost anything if he thought it would heal him.

"Are you hungry? You slept through lunch."

"I'm starving."

Snape gave him two quick pats on the side of the leg. "Come on then, up you get. Let's get you some food and then you can come downstairs and help us brew. I think Master Barclay is quite eager to see you."

Harry smiled with a happiness Snape hadn't seen since the cave incident. Relief flooded through Snape as he saw a glimpse of the boy Harry had been before, and he truly hoped together he and Barclay could bring him back.

At the kitchen table, Snape sipped at a cup of tea while Harry shoved a cheese toastie into his face in between animated questions about Master Barclay and the potions they were working on. After the breakfast fiasco, when Harry had practically thrown his fork across the table in frustration, Snape had made the executive decision to forgo the pasta salad in favor of a lunch devoid of utensils. Even if it was messy, Harry could hold onto the piece of cheese toast a lot easier than he could a fork, so Snape was now devising ways he could adapt his food so that he'd be able to feed himself without much assistance.

Whether it was a morning of cuddles and some extra sleep or the excitement of having Master Barclay at the cottage, Harry was in a much better mood and Snape was grateful for it. He wasn't sure either of them would survive a full day of the drama they'd had this morning.

When he saw the boy had finished eating, he reached across and tapped gently at the table in front of him. "Finish your milk. You need the calories." He had put the milk in a coffee mug, hoping Harry could manage it better than a glass. He'd also cast a silent feather-weight charm on it so it would be easier to maneuver in Harry's weak hands. When Harry managed to drink from it with only minor spillage, Snape felt quite satisfied with himself.

"Can I go down to the lab now?" Harry asked as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, smearing crumbs and milk over his face and now his arm.

Snape visibly cringed and shook his head in disappointment. "Honestly, Harry, you're not a mountain troll, there are napkins on the table for a reason. Use them." He put a stack of napkins in front of Harry, but as soon as the boy reached for one and Snape saw the state of his fingers, he pulled them away. "On second thought, you're a complete mess. Go to the washroom and clean your hands and face properly and then we'll go down together."

Harry was eager to see Master Barclay and pushed his chair back, practically jumping up from the table in excitement. Snape grabbed him by the back of the shirt before he could bolt. "Walk slowly. If you fall and hurt yourself because you're rushing around, I can promise you I will be extremely displeased."

"OK, I get it," Harry whined.

Snape released him with a warning look before standing up to take the dishes to the sink. He washed them by hand, but he relented and pulled out his wand to banish the crumbs and spills around Harry's place at the table.

When Harry returned to the kitchen, Snape looked him over carefully before running a hand across his hair and dusting a few crumbs off his shirt. "Very well then, let's go."

It took every ounce of self-control Snape had not to just lift Harry up and carry him down the stairs, but he knew Harry would be mortified if Barclay saw him being treated like a baby. So instead he took a firm grip on his arm and they went down slowly, side by side. Thankfully Harry didn't protest and they made it down without incident.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Harry called out enthusiastically. "Hi Master Barclay!"

"Well, Mr. Potter, how wonderful to see you!" Master Barclay looked up from his cauldron briefly with a warm smile on his face. "I'm just in the middle of some complex steps in my brewing but give me just a moment and I will greet you properly."

Snape helped Harry into his work robes and then set him up on a stool where he could see what they were both doing. Harry sat quietly while Master Barclay carefully added ingredients and stirred with the same focus and precision he'd see on Snape. While he stirred with one hand, his lips moved as he counted silently, and with his other hand he sprinkled in some crushed unicorn horn. The potion effervesced slightly and the color changed to a shimmering iridescent silver. He stirred it counterclockwise twelve more times and then pulled his stirrer out, tapping it on the side of the cauldron twice before setting it down on the bench.

After wiping his hands on a clean cloth, Master Barclay walked over Harry and gave him a hearty few pats on the back before shaking his hand gently. "Wonderful to see you looking well, Mr. Potter. How are you feeling? I hope you don't mind that I've invited myself to stay for a bit."

"I'm just glad you're here," Harry beamed. "I really hope you can fix me. Also, you can call me Harry if you want."

"I would be glad to, Harry. We might need to experiment for a bit, but I think we'll get there. Between myself and Professor Snape, I think we'll come up with something helpful. Not to mention, I'll have plenty of opportunities to show you some very interesting things while I'm here. Master Llewelyn has some rare ingredients we'll get to brew with, so we'll make the most of our time together. Now then, would you like to help me collect some of the ingredients for the next step?"

Harry nodded eagerly and Master Barclay helped him off the stool, leaving Snape to work alone on the bubbling cauldrons.

The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon in the lab, Snape brewing quietly on his own while Barclay tried to involve Harry, talking and teaching him along the way. The hours went by quickly before Snape looked at his watch. "I suppose if we want to eat tonight, I should heat something up."

Master Barclay looked up from where he was scribbling some notes on the bench. "Why don't Harry and I take care of that while you finish up down here. We can manage that, can't we Harry?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, sir. We've got tons of food so we don't even have to cook anything, we just have to heat it up."

Snape looked up from his cauldron at Barclay. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. I did manage to get two daughters to survive to adulthood, I'm sure we'll figure it out. Come along, Harry."

"You need to help him get up the stairs," Snape said with a worried tone. "His feet get numb, don't let him fall."

Barclay looked over at him with a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine, Severus, I won't let anything happen to him." He put his hand on the boy's shoulders and guided him toward the stairs.

"And Harry, make sure you hold onto the bannister. And go slowly, it's not a race."

"Severus, really. He'll be fine," Barclay said over his shoulder as he helped Harry hang up his robes on the hook by the bottom of the stairs. He turned to Harry and whispered. "I can apparate us to the kitchen if you prefer."

Harry shook his head. "No thank you. I think I can manage the stairs if I'm holding onto the railing."

Barclay nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be right behind you. Take your time."

Despite Barclay's reassurance, Snape was unable to focus on anything until he was sure Harry had made it safely up the stairs. He watched Harry take each step, his wand at the ready in case he stumbled or fell. But despite his worst fears, Harry arrived at the top without a single incident and Snape was finally able to let go of the breath he'd been holding and return his attention back to his cauldron.

Upstairs, Barclay and Harry went through the options in the freezer until they settled on a lasagne. After they'd popped it in the oven, the two went out to the garden to pull out some veggies for a salad. Harry stood at the sink helping wash them while Barclay diced them up into a large bowl.

"Should we put on some music? I think I saw a record player in the parlor, it might be nice to lighten the mood a bit, what do you think?"

Harry beamed. "That would be great!" Snape always kept things quiet, and although they were much more at ease talking with each other, they also spent a lot of time in silence, it was the way Snape preferred things and Harry had gotten used to it. But he liked the idea of brightening the atmosphere a bit, things had been a bit grim since he'd come back from the hospital.

Barclay opened a cupboard and looked through a collection of hundreds of records. He turned to Harry. "What are you in the mood for? It looks like Master Llewelyn was quite a hippie in his day, but he's got a brilliant collection of bands from the '60's and 70's. Are you more of a Beatles man or are the Rolling Stones more your style? Or perhaps Jefferson Airplane?" He pulled out a few albums and passed them to Harry.

Harry laughed as he looked at the album with a giant pair of lips and a tongue sticking out. "I don't know any of these bands, really. Whatever you like, sir."

"It looks like we also have quite a selection of broadway soundtracks. Perhaps some Godspell or Evita?" He pulled out a black album with glowing eyes on it. "Ah, Cats. Not my favorite show but there are a few good songs. And it's the original London cast."

"I don't know what Professor Snape likes," Harry said honestly as he shrugged his shoulders. "Why don't you pick, Master Barclay, that way if he hates it, he won't blame me."

Barclay chuckled. "How very cheeky, Mr. Potter, but very sound reasoning indeed. I say we can't go wrong with Simon & Garfunkel. And if he doesn't like it, well, he can pick out tomorrow's soundtrack."

Master Barclay pulled the record out of the album cover and placed it carefully on the turntable. He flicked a switch on the base and it crackled for a few seconds before the music came streaming out. "Sound of Silence, such a classic."

Harry set the table while Master Barclay dished up the salad and set out the glasses. He put out wine glasses for himself and Snape, and then transfigured Harry's glass of milk into a snazzy Chudley Cannon's cup with a lid and a straw. He managed to make it look like a souvenir cup from the stadium so hopefully Harry wouldn't think it was too babyish, but he figured he'd have an easier time sipping his milk with a straw. "I heard you were a quidditch fan, but if that's not your team, let me know and I can change it."

"No, this is great. Thanks Master Barclay." Harry smiled at him, he was enjoying the way the man was making an effort to put him at ease. He had been so much more relaxed with the older wizard today and he couldn't believe he was ever intimidated by the man. As long as he stayed polite and respectful, he was sure he and Master Barclay were going to get along just fine.

"I was never a very good quidditch player, but I do enjoy a good match. I've done some work making healing potions for a few of the players, so they'll occasionally send me tickets for the box seats. Perhaps you can come along sometime if you're interested."

"That would be amazing!"

Barclay opened up a bottle of red wine and decanted it so it could breathe while he threw together some garlic bread and put it in the oven.

By the time Snape came upstairs 45 minutes later, the table was set, the food was all ready and Harry and Barclay were relaxing in the parlor while the record played. Barclay was casually sipping on his wine and Harry was sitting on the floor listening to stories about Snape as an apprentice. The boy was cracking up with laughter when Snape entered the parlor.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your little soiree," Snape said sarcastically, raising his eyebrow at the chaos in the parlor between the laughter, the music, and his mentor perched in his armchair with a mischievous look on his face.

"I was just telling Harry about the time we were at that conference in Munich, you remember?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "I do. Perhaps we should spare Harry some of these stories. I'd prefer it if he still had an ounce of respect for me when you leave here." He shot Barclay a death glare which only made the man smile even more. "Shall we head to the table, then?"

Snape walked toward the record player with the full intention of turning it off, but after seeing how much Harry was enjoying it, he changed his mind and instead he just turned it down a bit before making his way to the kitchen.

"May I pour you a glass of wine, Severus?"

Snape nodded as he took his seat. "Yes, thank you."

When Snape's glass was filled, Barclay raised his own glass and nodded at Harry to do the same. "A toast, gentlemen. To health! Sante!

Harry raised his cup with both hands and tapped it against the two wine glasses with an enormous grin on his face. Despite all of the drama that had brought him there, he was happy to be at the table with two people he knew were going to do everything possible to help him get better. He felt loved and accepted, and he hoped one day he'd grow up to be as brilliant as the two wizards sitting in front of him.

Despite Snape's best efforts to put Harry to bed promptly at 9, Master Barclay had involved him in a rather animated game of Wizarding Chess after dinner. Once again, seeing Harry enjoying himself made it hard for him to put his foot down.

As soon as the game ended, Snape looked at Harry. "It's well past your bedtime, so I don't want to hear any complaints. Up you get."

Harry thought about begging for more time but he knew that he'd end up in bed either way and he'd rather not get told off in front of Master Barclay. "Goodnight Master Barclay. Thanks for coming, I'm really glad you're here."

"Goodnight, Harry. I'll see you in the morning. Tomorrow I'll show you how to work with bloodroot and mandrake pods. You'll need your full wits about you, so get some good sleep tonight."

Snape walked Harry back to his room where he helped him change into pyjamas. Harry was getting better at doing some things on his own, but by the end of the day the muscles in his hands were usually fatigued and his ability to grip things became more difficult. Buttons and zippers had become especially frustrating.

After a few episodes of fighting over the toothbrush, Snape had put a charm on it which allowed the brush to do the work on its own. Even though the toothbrush could get a little aggressive, Harry still preferred it to having Snape brush his teeth like a two-year-old.

Once Harry was settled in bed, Snape gave him his nutrition potions and a dose of dreamless sleep.

"The physical therapist is coming tomorrow morning at 9am. I'll be there with you for that, but then you'll spend time with Master Barclay while I run a quick errand."

"Where are you going?" Harry asked, his curiosity piqued.

Snape had debated telling him about Patrick's letter and his meeting with Elizabeth. He knew at some point he'd have to discuss it with him, especially if Patrick would be coming over to the house, but he wanted to see how things went tomorrow before he brought it up.

"It's a quick meeting, and I'll discuss it with you when I know more. Will you be alright here with Master Barclay?"

"Yeah, of course. I like it when he lets me help him with things. He's a really good teacher, and he's really nice to me."

Harry took off his glasses and Snape cast a quick cleaning spell on them before setting them down on the bedside table. "He's a very good teacher. Just continue to behave and I'm sure he'll be happy to show you a lot of interesting things."

"Do you really think you can heal me?"

"I can promise you we're doing everything we can to try. But patience is important, Harry. I want you to work hard and do your best with the physical therapy tomorrow. It might be challenging, but it will strengthen your body in ways that will only help us heal you more quickly."

A small yawn escaped Harry's lips as he turned over on his side facing Snape. The dreamless sleep was starting to kick in. Snape was sure he'd be out in a few minutes, but he picked up the book and began reading anyway. As expected, three minutes later, Harry was out like a light.

The next morning, Snape woke up refreshed and relaxed. When he'd returned from Harry's room the night before, Barclay had insisted he go straight to bed. He even managed to get him to take a half dose of dreamless sleep, assuring him that he'd be there if Harry needed anything.

So for once, Snape didn't put up a fight, and he slept a good 10 hours for the first time in months. Master Barclay had stayed up for a few more hours, checking on his potions and making adjustments to his notes while the rest of the house slept quietly.

When Snape came into the kitchen at 8:00, Barclay handed him a cup of tea and the two discussed their work for the day. Snape woke Harry for breakfast, but it was a relief having Barclay at the help.

Harry sat down and Barclay placed his cup in front of him. "It's a fruit smoothie. Try it."

"What's that?"

"It's delicious. Like a milkshake but with fruit and yoghurt. It's my secret recipe, but taste it, I think you'll like it." Barclay had spiked it with some additional nutrient potion and some extra protein, but hopefully with all of the fresh fruit and a dash of honey, Harry wouldn't taste it. He'd put it in his Chudley Canon cup with the straw hoping it might be less fuss than the boy struggling to get eggs on his fork.

Harry took a hesitant sip but as soon as he got a taste, he soon guzzled down the whole thing. "That was amazing!"

"If you're still hungry, I can make you something else."

Harry shook his head. "No thanks, that was actually pretty filling."

Snape was impressed. He ate his eggs and toast in quiet amazement at how Barclay had avoided the breakfast meltdown they'd had yesterday without Harry being wise to his plan. He'd watched the man blend the smoothie with a handful of nuts, yoghurt, fruit, milk and even some oatmeal so he was sure it would keep the boy satiated (and it met all of his nutritional goals). He'd have to add it to his breakfast arsenal.

After breakfast, Barclay did the dishes and excused himself to return to the lab while Harry and Snape prepared for the physical therapist. At 8:55, there was a knock on the door, and Snape welcomed a pleasant woman named Nicole. She brought a plastic bin with her and Snape helped her set-up in the parlor, moving the sofa and the table so they had an open space to work.

Over the next hour and a half, Nicole put Harry through some stretches and exercises, at times pushing him beyond his limits. Harry got frustrated at a few points, but he worked hard and her gentle encouragement kept him going. Snape watched from his chair as he jotted down notes and sipped at his tea. When she left, Harry looked completely exhausted.

Harry threw himself on the couch and let out a groan. "That was hard. I'm tired."

"Why don't you take a bath. I've got some muscle soothing potions we can put in and then you can relax for a bit."

"But I'm supposed to help Master Barclay," Harry whined, pushing himself up slightly and turning to Snape so he could see him pout.

"I'm sure he'll manage. And he'll have all afternoon to show you things, right now your recovery is the first priority, and you've just been through a difficult session with the physical therapist. It's not up for debate."

Harry was too tired to argue, so he allowed Snape to run him a bath. He had to admit, once he was in there, soaking with the relaxing oils and potions, he felt a million times better. By the time Snape had helped him back into bed he was more than ready for a nap.

"I'll be back shortly. If you need anything, call out for Master Barclay. But try to just rest. And stay in bed. I don't think I need to explain to you what unpleasantness will befall you if I find out you've gotten out of bed on your own." He lifted an eyebrow for effect, but he knew Harry wasn't going to push him on this.

Harry shook his head and stifled a yawn. "No, sir. I promise, I'll stay in bed." His eyelids were drooping and he curled up on his side, his dragon tucked under one arm.

"Good boy," Snape said as he ran his hand gently over the boy's head. "Get some sleep, I'll check in with you as soon as I'm back."

He was pretty sure Harry was asleep before he left the room, but Snape left his door open just a crack. He popped down to let Barclay know he was heading out and he'd be back shortly. The old man was intensely focused on two of his cauldrons and he just nodded his head.

"Come in, Elliot," Elizabeth said as she opened the door. Coco was waiting inside, wagging her tail gleefully and bouncing up and down with excitement. "This is Coco, I hope you're not afraid of dogs. She's a sweetheart."

"How charming," Snape said sarcastically. He had never grown up with pets and couldn't understand how people let these mangey creatures inside their homes. He gave Coco a glare that said Don't even think about jumping up on me and apparently she could read his vibe because she backed away slightly, wagging her tail nervously from a distance and letting out a little whine.

He followed Elizabeth into her living room where she motioned for him to have a seat. "Would you care for a cuppa?"

"Yes, thank you."

As they sat sipping their tea, Snape waited for the right moment to begin. "I'm going to be blunt, Elizabeth, but I think it's important for you to hear this. Your son is a terror. He is arrogant, disrespectful, resentful, impulsive, manipulative, dishonest...I could go on and on about his less than redeemable qualities but I think you get my point. One might be tempted to blame him, but he's still a child. His failures are not a result of some inborn flaw, but rather the result of your own lazy parenting."

Elizabeth looked like she'd be slapped in the face, but she had no idea how to respond, so she stayed silent. Sitting in front of her was not the angry and emotional Snape she'd seen the last two times they'd met, but rather a composed man, whose analysis seemed at the same time both cold and clinical as well as cruel.

"But I love him, I've done everything for him."

Snape nodded as he set down his tea cup. "That is exactly my point. You indulge him and you spoil him, but you deny him the boundaries and discipline he's clearly so desperate for. I know it is not your intention, but you're setting him up to fail."

Elizabeth couldn't help it, she cried out, letting her words come out with her emotion and tears. "I love him so much, I just want to make him happy."

"You might think you're making him happy, Elizabeth, but clearly he is not. He does not need a friend and an enabler, he needs a parent. He needs someone to teach him right from wrong, to give him expectations, and to hold him to account. Do you hear the way he talks to you? You allow him to disrespect you—you invite it, even—and instead of punishing him, you reward him. Frankly, it's appalling."

Snape was starting to get into his lecture now and he couldn't deny he was enjoying it. There were certain times when he'd get on his soap box and lecture a student, and occasionally another member of staff, and he'd feel himself buoyed by his own insight. It was like riding a wave of his own righteous indignation and today, he was going to allow himself to keep going. He'd pull back now on the harsh criticism, he could certainly see Elizabeth was in a fragile state, but he could also tell he was getting through to her and he didn't want to stop before he'd really made his point. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

He cleared his throat before he continued. "As you know, I've been a teacher and a Housemaster at a boarding school for more than ten years. In that time, I've seen many potentially good children set out on a bad path. They were not necessarily fundamentally flawed, rather it was repeated small acts of defiance and anger that lead to bullying and eventually them growing up into what I can only describe as adults who plague society. Why? Because the adults who were responsible for reeling them in failed to do so. It is always a tragic outcome for everyone."

Snape was reflecting back, not only on the students he'd seen pass through Hogwarts as a professor, but even some of those he'd encountered as a student. He thought particularly of Sirius Black, and even James Potter and how Dumbledore had failed to hold them responsible for their bullying and reckless behavior. Perhaps James had turned it around, although he still wasn't sure he believed that, but Sirius was now rotting away in Azkaban after going on to murder 12 muggles and by his own actions, his own best friends. His mind went back for a moment to some of the specific incidents where someone should have intervened, and he had to force himself to refocus on the task at hand.

"I'm quite concerned that Patrick is on such an unfortunate trajectory. What he did to Harry went well beyond a childish prank. He's 11, even if he is incapable of thinking through every consequence of his actions, he knew quite well what he was doing was dangerous and life-threatening. What concerns me even more is how he lied and manipulated you, and me, even long afterward when he could have put an end to it. This is very disturbing behavior, and I fear if it is not addressed properly now, Patrick will continue to make poor choices, choices that will eventually result in someone being permanently harmed or even killed. Choices that will one day land him in prison."

Snape took a dramatic sip of his tea before he continued. "I will also be honest and tell you that I'm appalled at how he speaks to you, and the level of disrespect you tolerate from him in your own home. I can promise you that you deserve better than that, and that if you don't teach him how to speak to others with more respect, you are dooming him to a life of conflict with others, not just in his friendships and other personal relationships, but in his ability to work with others or engage respectfully in school, employment, and the community."

By now Elizabeth was in full-on tears. Coco slinked over to her with her tail between her legs, nuzzling her lap as she sobbed into her hands.

Snape was not entirely unfeeling, so he pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it into her hand before softening his tone. "It is clear that you love Patrick very much, and I'm sure your intentions are good, but Elizabeth, if you don't change things, Patrick is going to have a very difficult life. And I know that is not what you want for him."

"I just don't know what to do. He won't listen to me…"

"Well then, you need to make him listen to you. He's a child, Elizabeth. You're the adult and you need to act like it. You are not his friend, you are his parent. There may be times where he doesn't like you or he is angry at you for the boundaries you enforce, but that is your job. It's what makes parenting so difficult."

Snape was starting to feel a bit ridiculous going on about the challenges of parenthood, when he himself had only been a parent for a few weeks. But rather than feel like a hypocrite, he reminded himself that he'd been acting in loco parentis for years and that it was essentially the same thing. Plus he knew he was right.

"I try to make him listen. I yell at him or send him to his room, but it doesn't work."

Snape let out an exasperated sigh. "Have you set clear rules for him? Does he know what you expect of him and how he's supposed to behave?"

Elizabeth sat for a minute and wiped her face. "I don't know. But I'll ask him to do something and he just won't do it if he doesn't feel like it. I feel like I've totally lost all control. I'm losing him more everyday."

"Mmm," Snape hummed in agreement. "It can be tricky with boys this age, believe me, I spend my life dealing with them. Dunderheads. All of them. I know my methods may seem a bit antiquated, but I find most respond well to firm boundaries and clear expectations. I do not want to overstep my place, but I'm willing to help you and Patrick. He seems to be crying out for attention and boundaries. If he really is willing to do this community service working for me, I will do my best to provide that for him."

She looked up at him with something that looked like hope. "Really? Do you think he can turn around? Harry is such a nice and polite boy. How do you do it?

Now Snape was starting to feel perhaps like he'd gone a bit over the top. Harry had turned out surprisingly well considering his appalling upbringing with the Dursleys, but that was a testament to Harry's character, not the circumstances of his childhood. He thought carefully for a moment before he responded, not wanting to terribly misrepresent his brief role in Harry's development.

"Yes, well, Harry was born with a kind and generous heart. But even that can get him into trouble sometimes, he often goes rushing into dangerous situations without thinking about his own well-being." Snape let out an dramatic sigh as he thought back to all of the times Harry had found himself on the brink of death because he was trying to do the noble thing.

"Children are not just small adults, Elizabeth. They are malleable, they are desperate for love and guidance and boundaries. If you allow them to run wild they will, but that isn't what makes for a happy child. They want someone to care enough about them to tell them no, to set expectations, to both reward them for good behavior and punish them for bad. They expect it. They need it. Parenting is not a democracy. I rather consider it more like a benevolent dictatorship. Most of the time. On occasion I've been known to go less benevolent, more dictator, but only when a child gets extremely out of line." He forced a small smile.

Elizabeth laughed awkwardly as she dabbed at her eyes. "I don't know where to start."

"Well, you need to establish some boundaries. Decide on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior in your house. Lay out the rules and consequences clearly. Write them on a giant piece of paper and post them on the wall if you need to. It's time to draw a line in the sand, from now on, it's your rules. If he can't abide by them, he will have consequences."

"Like what? What do you do with Harry?"

Snape let out a long sigh and reached up to rub the bridge of his nose. "It depends. When his emotions are out of control or he needs to calm down, I will send him to his room, or the corner. Sometimes I make him write lines or do chores. Other times, I send him to bed early or restrict him from activities that I know he enjoys. And on rare occasions, for the most egregious behavior, when I want to really make a point, I spank him. I find it's effective to have an arsenal of punishments from which to choose, and for the child to know you won't hesitate to use any of them. But whatever you decide to do, you need to be consistent."

Elizabeth looked up at him. "I'm just at my wits end. He's only 11 but I'm already afraid of him, of upsetting him and making him angry. I'm worried it's too late."

"Tell me, Elizabeth, what were your own parents like?" Snape didn't know if he was crossing a line, but he was actually quite curious. He guessed her life hadn't been easy, but now he really wanted to know.

She hesitated for a moment before she spoke. "I guess I really didn't have any. My dad left when I was young, my mum had a lot of issues. She drank a lot and had a series of awful boyfriends who treated her terribly. Things got so bad at home I came to live with my Gran when I was 12, but she was already older and having health problems. She didn't keep a very close eye on me, so I ran wild and got pregnant with Paddy when I was 16. I feel like I pretty much raised myself and then when I had Patrick, I did everything I could to be a responsible and involved parent—I completely turned my life around for him. But I was a kid raising a kid without a lot of support. It was really hard." A few stray tears trickled down her cheek.

Snape nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. Many of us grew up with far from perfect childhoods, but that doesn't mean we can't do better for our own children." He wasn't about to go into any details about his own abusive childhood, but he hoped she could read between the lines. He understood how awful it was to grow up without good parents, but he also thought of it as a mandate to do better.

Elizabeth obviously felt a connection to him at that moment and she reached out with her hand, putting it on his arm and looking at him directly in the eye. "I really want to do better, but I don't even know where to start."

He didn't want to pull away, but he felt uncomfortable at the uninvited touch. So he waited for a moment before reaching out for his tea, forcing her to move her hand as he did so. He brought the cup to his lips and took a sip while he regained his composure. "Just out of curiosity- what did you do to punish him after the incident in the caves?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "He was so upset about it, I didn't think I should do anything. We talked about it- I told him it was wrong and I think he knew it. Then the police came, and I think they really scared him. He was genuinely distraught when he heard what happened to Harry. He woke up crying in the night and I think he's filled with a lot of guilt."

Snape furrowed his brow and his voice became indignant. "So he had no consequences? He almost killed a boy and he had absolutely no consequences?" He had tried not to raise his voice, but he couldn't believe it.

"He seemed distraught enough, Elliot, I didn't want to make things worse." Elizabeth shrank back into the couch, recognizing the disapproval and anger in his voice.

Snape shook his head and took a calming breath. He'd promised himself he wouldn't let his emotions get the better of him today. "Right, well, I can't tell you how to do your job, Elizabeth, but I think you need to reconsider this. Patrick needs to learn a lesson and you need to make some changes. Not to mention, perhaps if were punished properly, it would help him feel less guilty. I think you know what I'd do in your position, but at least you should put him on some kind of restriction. For a month, minimum. Make sure he comes home every single day and does his homework. No rugby. No playing with friends. No TV. He will do chores around the house and go to bed early. Any back talk or refusal to do so, and you extend it by a week. He'll probably revolt, but at some point he'll tire of pushing you and realize it's to his advantage to do as he's told. It can be ugly in the beginning, but eventually he'll catch on."

"That seems so harsh, Elliot."

He put his cup down with a loud clink, narrowing his eyes at her in pure disdain. "As it should be, Elizabeth, he nearly killed someone. He's completely out of control. This is a wake-up call. For both of you. He's just lucky Harry didn't die. Can you imagine that on his conscience for the rest of his life? I assure you, he'd never get over it."

She nodded her head and reached down to rub the top of Coco's head. She whispered to herself. "I know, I know."

Snape continued, now with a new resolve. "In addition to whatever punishment you decide on, he will do 30 hours of work for me. Community Service, if you will. That's an hour for every hour Harry was in the cave, and an hour for each day he spent in hospital. Given the seriousness of his transgressions, I feel this is more than appropriate. When he's at my home, he is working for me, and I plan to make it suitably unpleasant. He will do exactly as I say or there will be consequences. I will treat him like I would any student in detention. He will do work around the house or the yard, and any refusal to do so and I will extend his time. I may have him do manual labor, write lines, or stand in the corner. My hope is by the end of this he will understand that he's done wrong and that his actions have serious consequences. I also hope he will feel like he's paid his penance, and hopefully it will relieve him of his guilt and he'll be able to move on. I truly believe this time could have a positive effect on him, but only if you are consistent with him at home."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. It took her a moment to respond, and she finally asked, "You're not going to beat him, are you?"

Snape didn't mean to but he let out a small laugh before he composed himself again. "Of course not. Despite my personal belief that he could probably benefit from a good hiding, I would never overstep my boundaries. I can assure you I will be strict with him, and he will not enjoy it, but I will never abuse or mistreat him. Ever."

"Thank you, Elliot. I will have a talk with Patrick and get back to you."

Snape had been filled with such anger over the last week, but now it was mostly gone. He'd never admit it, but there was a part of him that felt quite sympathetic for the woman, and even her delinquent, ASBO son. "I know this has been difficult to hear, but I don't think you're a terrible parent. Not at all. It's obvious that you love your son and you just want what's best for him. The reality is that it's a difficult job. We all do our best and sometimes we, too, have to learn the hard way. It's not easy to be a single parent, but you're not alone."

Tears welled in Elizabeth's eyes again. "That means a lot. Thank you. And I hope you know how truly sorry I am for all you've been through with Harry. I know you may never forgive me, or Patrick, but I've felt so guilty knowing Harry has suffered so much. I know we can never make up for it, but I talked with the other people in town and encouraged them to send cards and gifts to the hospital. And I helped organize the food for you both. I hope you don't mind- since I often look after his garden and his home when he's away, Professor Llewelyn left me a key for emergencies-so I made sure your refrigerator was stocked with homemade food. I knew you were angry with me, but I wanted you to know you weren't alone either. I really am so sorry, Elliot."

Snape didn't know how to react to this. He supposed he shouldn't be entirely shocked by the revelation, but he found himself unable to speak or respond. Nothing she ever did would make up for the pain and suffering Harry had been through, but he was still touched by what she'd done.

He could feel an odd emotion bubbling up inside of him but he pushed it down and cleared his throat before he finally found the words. "Well, please let everyone know we appreciate the kind gestures."

It was all he could bring himself to say. They sat in awkward silence for another few moments before Snape stood up. "I should be getting back, I don't like leaving my son when he's unwell. Thank you for the tea."

Elizabeth stood to walk him out, Coco following cautiously behind them, clearly affected by all of the emotion in the room. "Thank you, Elliot. I'll be in touch with you soon. If you or Harry need anything, I hope you'll let me know."

Snape just nodded. "Oh, yes, his bicycle. I'm not sure when he'll be able to ride it again, but I'd like to take it back with me."

"Oh, of course. It's in my garage, I'll bring it outside."

She walked him out the front door where Coco lingered watching him, wagging her tail slowly as she looked at him with her big puppy dog eyes. He eyed her with suspicion as she slowly approached him on the front stoop. When she was close enough, and when he was sure no one could see him, Snape reached out and petted her gently on the head. "Fine, but only because you behaved yourself today. Don't think this means we're friends now."

Coco wagged her tail, basking in the brief affection from the surly man before he walked down the steps and loaded the bicycle into the back of his red hatchback.

Once he arrived home, Snape unloaded the bike (and the new helmet) and put them both up in the garage. It made him sad, wondering if he'd ever see Harry ride it again. He stood for a moment in the garage feeling somewhat overwhelmed. The meeting had been more emotional than he'd expected and it had forced him to really reflect on what it meant to be a parent and the huge responsibility it was. He knew he'd made some mistakes, and he'd probably make more, but he was determined to make sure Harry grew up knowing he was loved.

As soon as he walked in the door, he went straight for Harry's room. He opened the bedroom door quietly and stood in the doorway for several minutes before he gave into his impulses and went over to the side of Harry's bed.

"Are you back?" he heard Harry say in a sleepy voice.

Snape sat down on the bed beside him and ran his hand gently over his forehead, smoothing down his hair. "I'm back."

Harry opened his eyes and gave him a pleading look. "Will you stay with me for a while? Please?"

Snape didn't say anything but he adjusted himself so his shoulders leaned up against the back of the headboard and his legs stretched along the bed. Harry cuddled up next to him and Snape put his arm around the boy, pulling him in closer. They stayed like this for several minutes until Snape finally got up the courage to speak.

"I love you, Harry, I hope you know that."

Harry snuggled deeper into his side. "I know. I love you, too."

Snape reached down and placed a gentle kiss on the top of his forehead, grateful that this time his skin was warm and full of life. He held the boy tightly for a moment before he closed his eyes and allowed himself to just soak in the feeling of love he felt coursing through him. He'd never understand the twists of fate that had brought the boy into his life, but in that moment he forgot all his regrets and just felt deep, deep gratitude.

Author's End Note:

OMG! Barclay is back! And he's taking care of Snape (as long as he can do it without acknowledging he's taking care of Snape, cuz you know how Severus gets about accepting help). What do you think- are they going to fix Harry? Do you think Barclay will actually get Snape to therapy?

How do you think Harry is holding up?

And finally FINALLY, Elizabeth got her "Come to Jesus" moment with Snape and he was LOVING it. Although his little Snape-y heart couldn't stand not telling Harry he really loves him. This made me SO happy. What did you think?

Discuss! PLEASE PLEASE comment and let me know what you think!

Your comments keep me writing. For real. Tell me what you enjoyed, what you want to see, what you think will happen next- I love hearing from you!

Also- this chapter was brought to you by all of the clueless parents on Supernanny, World's Strictest Parents, and Scared Straight who accidentally let their kids go wild for like, 12 years and then wonder why their kids have gone wild. I literally took EVERY one of Elizabeth's lines directly from some whiny parent who didn't understand why their little darlings are totally ASBO. So, this chapter is dedicated to them :)