Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

Severus closed the door to his lab, locking and warding it. He would need to make sure the boy knew he was not allowed in there unless Severus was with him. He would need to make a list of rules and perhaps chores, although with the boy's history he wasn't sure he could bring himself to do that. The child was only five years old after all, and deserved the chance to actually be five years old. Walking into the kitchen and hoping there was something he could whip up for dinner, Severus stopped in his tracks. The five year old in his care was trying to light the stove. Severus moved quickly, pulling the boy away from the stove and snatching the matches from him. "What," He hissed slowly. "do you think you are doing, Potter?"

Harry stared into the man's angry dark eyes and gulped. "I – I was -"

"Trying to burn down my house? Trying to get yourself hurt? Or worse?" Severus was shouting at the end, looming over the small child.

Harry paled and backed up, eyes filling with tears. "I'm – I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Little boys do not play with matches and stoves!" Severus scolded.

"I wasn't playi-"

"Honestly Potter, just when I think you are not a spoiled, rotten child you pull a stunt like this! What do you have to say for yourself?" Severus demanded.

"I thought I was supposed to make dinner!" Harry choked out on a sob before running out of the kitchen.

Severus froze, shutting his eyes in frustration. Only the frustration was aimed at himself. Merlin, I'm an idiot, he thought. The boy was used to do doing the cooking and cleaning at his relatives, it would take him some time to learn that he didn't need to earn his keep like that. This is exactly why I shouldn't be his guardian, Severus thought sourly as he went in search of Potter. He found him in his room, huddled on the floor in the corner, crying with his arms wrapped around his legs.

"Potter," Severus said quietly as he stepped towards the sobbing boy.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Harry kept repeating, his face in his knees.

Feeling his heart clench, Severus slowly knelt down next to him. "Potter, I apologize. I didn't realize you thought you had to make dinner." He said and after a moments hesitation, he put a hand on a thin shoulder.

Harry looked up, tears dripping down his face. "I can cook and clean, please don't send me away," He pleaded.

Severus sighed and conjured a cloth, wetting it with a spell. He gently took off Potter's glasses and wiped his face with the cool cloth. "Do not get upset, I would not send you away. You didn't do anything wrong, Potter. I misunderstood the situation." He saw Potter's confused look. "I thought you were playing around, with the matches," He clarified. "I thought you were doing something you knew you shouldn't be doing."

"I thought I was supposed to," Harry said softly as the perfessor put his glasses back on. "I don't mind doing the cooking and cleaning for you. I don't want to go back to the Dursley's."

"You won't," Severus said. "You are in my care now and that's that."

"Even if I did do something wrong? Or if I become spoiled and rotten?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Even if you do something wrong, even if I get angry with you," Severus said. "And Potter, you are not spoiled and rotten. I should not have said that. I was upset when I saw you getting ready to light the stove. I was afraid that you would hurt yourself."

Harry stared at him. "You were angry that I would get hurt?" That was a new concept for him. The Dursley's were happy when he was hurt, especially since they did most of the hurting. But even if he accidentally hurt himself, they would laugh and make fun of him.

"Yes," Severus answered. "We should have a talk, let's go downstairs and I will make us something to eat."

HP

Harry sat at the table, his little legs swinging back and forth as he watched the perfessor make spaghetti. It was nice, having dinner made for him although he felt a little guilty, like he should be doing something. "Do you want help?"

"No, not right now," Severus said as he levitated two plates of spaghetti onto the table. He also brought over a plate of hot rolls, butter, and cooked carrots. He poured a glass of milk for Harry while he had made tea for himself. He put a roll and a serving of carrots onto the boy's plate. "Dig in."

"Thank you," Harry said politely as he swirled his fork in the spaghetti and took a bite. It was so good!

Severus watched ruefully as more spaghetti sauce appeared on Potter's face than in his mouth. He handed the boy a paper towel. "Wipe your mouth please."

"Kay," Harry said happily as he obeyed, cleaning his face. He finished almost everything on his plate, including the carrots.

"Now, I have a few rules to go over with you," Severus said once they were done eating. "First, you are not to go into my lab unless I am with you. I will show you where it is in a minute, but it is off limits to you. I make my potions in there and it can be dangerous, especially for a child. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Harry nodded.

"Good. You are also not allowed outside unless I give you permission. No leaving the property without me. I expect you to be respectful and polite and never lie to me. No playing with fire and my wand is off limits. You will get your own wand when you are eleven years old but you are never to touch mine. Understand?"

Harry nodded slowly. "I get a wand when I'm eleven?"

"I just said so, did I not?"

"So I really am a wizard?"

"Yes," Severus said. "I promise you, Mr. Potter. You are a wizard."

Harry's eyes brightened.

"These rules apply when we are at Hogwarts," Severus continued. "As I will begin teaching soon, we will also be living at Hogwarts."

Harry's eyes widened. "So we have two homes?"

Severus nodded reluctantly. He still didn't consider this house a home, not a proper one anyway. "I will have my own quarters at the castle so you will have a bedroom there as well."

"Two bedrooms," Harry whispered, wonder filling his eyes at the thought.

Severus face softened a little at his expression. He cleared his throat. "You are never to wander the castle without me or one of the other professor's. You are definitely never to leave the castle by yourself. Just like the rule here, you are never to touch any of the students wands."

"I won't," Harry said.

Severus nodded in approval. "Your bedtime is eight o' clock. I will be figuring out school for you, apparently one of the professor's at Hogwarts will be able to teach you, and a friend of your mother's might be having a daycare once a week so perhaps you could meet some other children. As for chores..." He trailed off. He didn't want the boy to think he had to work night and day to earn his keep or anything. "I would like you to keep your room clean, when you play with your toys make sure to pick them up and put them where they belong when you are done. You can help me set and clear the table before and after meals, and water the plants that are in the sitting room. Or will be when I get some," He amended, which caused Harry to giggle. "If you keep up with these chores every week then I will give you an allowance."

Harry's eyes widened. The chores were nothing compared to what he did at the Dursley's and yet the perfessor was going to pay him?

"A few sickles a week," Severus said thoughtfully. "We'll see how you do and go from there. If you don't keep up with your chores then you won't get paid for that week. The same will go for when we are at Hogwarts, although some of our meals will be in the Great Hall so we won't have to set the table then."

"What's a sickle?"

Severus looked surprised for a moment before giving a small chuckle. He explained wizarding money as best he could, knowing it could be a little tricky. When he was done, he got out some biscuits for dessert and was not surprised to find the child yawning after he was done eating. "Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed? I'll come up to say goodnight in a few minutes."

Harry nodded sleepily and stood up. He hesitated. "I need to clear the table."

Severus shook his head. "You can start your chores tomorrow, if you like. You've had a busy day so I will clear the table."

"Okay," Harry said gratefully before leaving the room. He really was tired. His tummy was pleasantly full and it made him feel sleepy. Once he was in his pajamas, real pajamas not just an over sized ratty t-shirt, he crawled into bed. "Ohh," He hummed as he snuggled into the warm comforter. It was so soft and pillows were like sleeping on clouds, or at least what he imagined clouds to feel like. His eyes drooped and he was soon sound asleep.

Severus entered the child's room, prepared to offer to read him a story when he discovered the boy was already asleep. Hmm, he hoped all bedtimes went this smoothly. As the boy had objected to taking a nap earlier he had expected him to fight going to bed. Of course, it had been a big day so it wasn't surprising that it all would have caught up with him. He started to turn to leave when he noticed that even in sleep, the boy looked happy. Content. He sucked in a breath when he realized it was the child's first time sleeping in a bed. "I won't be a perfect guardian," He said quietly. "But I hope you will be happy here. I will do my best by you, I promise."

HP

The next morning after breakfast Severus made a list of things he needed to do. He still needed to pack for Hogwarts but decided not to make the move to the castle yet, figuring Harry would enjoy spending more time in his first real home. He'd need to get the boy his own clothes, toys and books. And if they were going to spend some time at Spinner's End before going to Hogwarts, he'd need to go to the local market. Shoe store, Severus added to the list. He needed to get some ingredients for his own potions supply and some more quills and parchment...

Finishing his list, he sat back and noticed the child had brought down a coloring book and crayons and was happily coloring away across from him at the table. "We have some errands to do today." He informed Harry.

Harry looked up curiously. "What kind of errands?"

"You need some things, like clothes and we need some groceries and I need a few supplies for my lab." Severus answered. "We'll go to Diagon Alley for most of our errands, stop and get some lunch and stop at the market on the way home." He picked up his quill.

Harry tilted his head to one side. "Is that what you write with?"

"Hmm?" Severus paused and studied his quill. "Yes. You will learn to write with one as well."

HP

Severus shrunk down the shopping bag and put it in his pocket. He had to admit it was rather enjoyable to watch Harry's reaction to Diagon Alley. He was fascinated by everything, from the way wizards dressed to the shops. Severus had to hide a chuckle when the child's eyes widened as they passed Sugarplum's Sweet Shop. He had decided that since the child had been so good so far, from all the walking and picking out clothes and getting measured for robes, that he deserved a treat.

"You may pick out something to have after lunch," Severus told him.

"Wow, really?" Harry's green eyes shined. "What should I get?"

"It is your decision," Severus told him as they entered the shop. He picked out some Liquorice Wands for himself.

"Hello Severus."

Severus turned and raised an eyebrow. "Narcissa. How are you?"

Narcissa Malfoy gave a small nod. "I am doing well. You?"

"Well, thank you for asking," Severus responded.

Narcissa eyed his bag of Liquorice. "Have a sweet tooth, do you?" Her clear blue eyes sparkled with amusement for a moment before her cool facade came back. Since she married Lucius, her personality had changed from the Narcissa he remembered from school. Of course, being married to a cold, cruel man like Lucius would do that to anyone.

"An indulgence I occasionally give into," Severus admitted. "But I am actually here for Harry, it is his first time in Diagon Alley."

"Who?"

Severus hesitated but realized news of him taking in Harry Potter would be made public soon, especially as he was to adopt the boy. "Harry Potter."

Narcissa's eyes widened. "Harry Potter? Why are you with him?"

"It isn't known yet but he is my new ward."

Narcissa, normally so cool and composed, looked shocked as her mouth dropped open. She quickly closed her mouth. "But why? I had heard he was with family."

"His home life proved unacceptable," Severus said carefully. "So now he is in my care."

"Not acceptable? You mean they -" Narcissa's eyes darkened for a moment. "So he's with you for good?" She began to look thoughtful. "You hated James Potter, did you not?"

"That does not mean I can not -"

"But you cared for Lily," Narcissa murmured. "You were friends. She was kind, I remember."

Severus nodded stiffly. "She was."

"You'll keep him safe," Narcissa said, realization in her eyes. She looked at him seriously. "You will need to," She lowered her voice. "There are those who would love to get their hands on him, to hurt him." She didn't say her husband was one of them but she didn't have to. Severus understood.

"I will protect him," Severus said.

Narcissa nodded. "Good."

Suddenly her son, Draco Malfoy, hurried up to her. "Mother, this boy didn't know that chocolate frogs jump when you open them!" His silver gray eyes looked amused, surrounded by light blonde hair.

"Perhaps he has never had one, Draco," Narcissa said.

"Everyone knows," Draco huffed.

"Apparently not," Narcissa said with a small smile as Harry crept close to Severus.

Severus put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, this is Narcissa Malfoy and her son, Draco. You two are close in age, I believe."

Draco gave him a doubtful look. "He looks littler than me." He looked at Harry. "I'm five," He said importantly.

"So am I," Harry said, jutting his chin out.

"Is he, Mother?" Draco demanded.

"He is, Mr. Malfoy," Severus spoke up.

Draco looked up at him. "Okay," He said.

"This is Severus, Draco," Narcissa said, putting her hand on top of Draco's head. "He went to school with your father and I."

"My father is a very important man," Draco bragged. He didn't know why he was important, but his father was always telling him that he was.

"That is nice," Severus said, hiding his amusement. He looked down at Harry. "Did you pick out a sweet?"

"No."

"Go on then," Severus gave him a gentle nudge.

Harry trotted back to the sweets, looking at all the choices when Draco walked up next to him. "What are you going to get?" Draco asked.

"I don't know," Harry bit his lip. He wasn't used to getting to pick out a sweet.

"I can have anything I want," Draco said smugly. "And as much as I want."

Harry glanced at him. "Um, that's nice."

"Does your father let you have whatever you want?"

Harry glanced back at the perfessor, who was talking to the pretty blonde lady. "I don't have a father," He admitted. "The perfessor is my guardian and he said I could pick out one."

"Only one?" Draco snorted as he picked up two boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. "Do you have a mother?"

"No," Harry said quietly.

Draco paused. "No parents?"

Harry shook his head. "I have the perfessor," He said.

"Perfessor?"

"He teaches at the castle," Harry said, happy to be able to brag a little.

"Hogwarts?" Draco did look impressed. "What does he teach?"

"Potions."

"Hmm," Draco said. "I'll go there and be a Slytherin, like my parents."

"What is a Slytherin?" Harry asked with interest.

Draco stared at him. "You don't know? It's the best house at Hogwarts. Are you a wizard?" He asked suspiciously.

Harry shifted uncomfortably. He still wasn't sure, even if his guardian said he was. "Yes." He said finally.

"You don't know much," Draco said as he added more treats to the basket he was holding.

"I lived with people who weren't magical," Harry said as he picked up a chocolate frog. Did it really jump when you opened the package?

"Muggles?" Draco sneered, copying the look his father got when he spoke of them. He didn't know why his father got that expression but figured it was just the thing to do when saying the word muggles.

"Huh?" Harry wrinkled his nose. What were Muggles?

"Harry, did you choose?" Severus called.

"Umm, yeah!" Clutching his chocolate frog, he hurried back to his guardian.

TBC: Hope you enjoyed!