Many heartfelt apologies! I know it has been nearly two months since I last posted to Outrage. Well, posted anything to be honest. I got a bit stuck and needed to "cleanse my palate". So I took some time off to gather my thoughts and destress. I know that's not fair to you and I will try to make it up to you.

That being said, this chapter probably won't be enough to make it up to you since it is another set up/ filler chapter. I promise that I will try desperately to get some plot in there but I'm struggling to decide where I want to go over the summer portion of this story. Hopefully I will be posting more regularly now.

Thank you for everyone who reviewed. You are all lovely.

O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O

It was the smell of bacon that woke Harry. Though the deliciously greasy smell had a tough battle against the forces of sleep. The bed he was on felt like a cloud and the comforter left him cocooned in a warmth that kept him like shackles. Eventually the rumbling of his stomach and the achingly brilliant smells from down stairs prompted him out of bed.

"Good morning Hedwig." He acknowledged the bird. The owl lifted her head from beneath her wing to give a baleful hoot before returning to bed. With a happy hum Harry tossed on some of his casual clothes, consisting of a pair of jeans Dudley had long out grown and a t-shirt for the Irish quidditch team he had bought last year at the world cup. It was one of the only shirts that he owned that weren't his uniform and actually fit him within two sizes.

As he walked down the stairs he dragged his fingers along the walls, convinced if he was not touching it that it would all disappear. He was at Professor Snapes home, no longer needing to return to the Dursleys. No longer sleeping under the stairs, which was where he was sure he would be considering how he left their home last summer. There was no way that Vernon had forgotten having his fire place destroyed and Dudleys tongue growing a couple of feet. It was the first time he had woken up outside of school without the heavy feeling of dread pooling at this bottom of his stomach. Without yelling and screeching, without the looming threat of a fist, cane, or frying pan.

"Good morning Harry." A happy chirp came from the kitchen. Alex was standing at the stove, frying pan in hand. He was wearing a pair of simple black trousers and a pale blue t-shirt, all under a denim apron hung around his neck. On the table there was a plate of fruit chopped up and a set of granite hot plates.

"Do you need any help?" Harry asked, edging closer to the stove. "I used to cook breakfast all the time."

"It's quite alright Harry, I am almost done anyway. Though if you are looking to do something you could set the table. Dishes are over there." He used his spatula to point out the cabinet. Harry selected the plates moving to set the table as requested.

"How did you sleep?" Alex inquired, scooping eggs out of the pan and into a serving bowl.

"It was brilliant!" Harry smiled.

"Good good." Alex hummed, unwrapping his apron and tossing it onto the counter. He picked up the bowl and plunked it onto the table. A plate of bacon followed behind, a little floating duckling behind the lawyer. He plucked it out of the air and dropped it onto one of the hot plates. "Now sit and I'll get Severus out of bed." With a wicked little smirk he lift his wand. With a sharp flick he pointed it towards the ceiling. A deep muffled cry was followed by a floor shaking thump. Alex slid into the seat to the right of the head. He was placing his napkin on his lap when Snape came gliding down the stairs.

It was weird looking at his potions professor in his casual clothes. Harry had really only seen him in his teaching robes and his formal clothing. Even when he was working in his personal lab he always had on his white shirt and a pair of slacks. But coming down this morning he was wearing a pair of dark blue flannel pajamas and a white t-shirt.

The first thing Harry noticed is that Snape was more fit than he thought he would be. His sallow face and general air of greasiness always gave the impression that under his layers he would be thin skin over sharp bones. He wasn't big muscles or anything, nothing of that sort. But he had some corded muscle on his arms and forearms. His shoulders seemed wider and they tapered down into a pair of hips. He would never have fit on a billboard or a magazine but he certainly looked healthier than Harry gave him credit. He dropped his eyes to his plate, which was being filled with food from self-moving utensils, when he noticed that those black eyes were glaring.

Snape strode up to the table with the surety of a leopard stalking its kill. With a swift and fluid motion he bent down to speak directly into Alex's ear.

"You will live to regret that." He growled.

"I'm sure of it." Alex replied, turning to peck him on the cheek. "But in the meantime let's have breakfast." There was a moment of silence as the three men fell onto the meal, eager to fill their stomachs. Harry was happy to find that Alex was a skilled cook and went to work enjoying his food.

"Do you have plans for today?" Snape finally asked, glancing at his husband.

"Shopping. Mostly for essentials. I was planning on taking Harry with me, if you want to join?" He directed the question at Harry. He had to struggle to swallow the large bite of eggs and toast he had just chipmunked into his mouth. With eyes watering he finally got it down.

"Sure. I'll come." Harry agreed readily. Alex gave him a bright smile.

"And you Sev?"

"There are some things I was unable to finish before I left. A new therapist offered their services and I wish to meet him." The potions professor dabbed his mouth with his napkin. He piled his utensils onto his plate and with a flick of his wand they were making their way over to the sink.

"Well then it will be just me and Harry today. All done Harry?" Alex asked. At his nod Harry's breakfast plates were in the air, settling into the sink that was now filling with soapy water." Then we shall get dressed and ready to go. There is a shopping center a short walk from here so wear comfortable shoes."

"Wait." Snape stopped them. In between his fingers two familiar potions bottles were held. Harry grimaced but received them anyway. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to take these potions anymore. He was feeling much healthier, and looking it based on everyone's comments. Even Madam Pomphrey had made a few choice statements about his excellent growth when he was in the hospital wing after the tournament. When she asked he just shrugged, not quite sure what Snape had or had not told the woman. Still, he knew better than to argue with Snape about his health and would keep shoving potions down his throat until he was allowed not to. With a slight gag be placed the vials back into the spindly fingers before running upstairs to grab his shoes. He wasn't going to wait around and see what else Snape might make him imbibe.

O~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O

Harry stood nervously at the front door, not that he should be. This was hardly his first foray into the muggle world. But it would be the first time that he was wandering around alone with Alex. Speak of the devil, the man in question came bounding down the stairs, tucking a leather wallet into his back pocket and shouting the end of a conversation back to his husband.

"- and if you want it clean, do it yourself. You can even wear that damn maid costume." He turned back to Harry with a soft smile. "Well let's be on our way. But first this is very important." The smile slipped from his face, not even a ghost of the jovial expression appearing in the stony expression. "No one knows you're here. It is best that we keep it that way. Unfortunately as soon as the Dark Lord realizes that you no longer reside with the Durselys then you will have a myriad of tracking spells on their way. In this house you are safe. Once you step out onto the sidewalk you can be found. I don't think I have to warn you of what would happen if you were found." His voice was serious and sharp, reminiscent of the day they were in court.

"This spell that I have will prevent any tracking. However, it only last twenty four hours. I am the only one who can do the spell. You MUST get this spell before leaving. It may be the only thing that keeps you alive."

"Yes sir." Harry replied softly, taking the serious warning for what it was. There was no joke in his voice, not even a flicker of jest in his tone. Alex nodded and took a step back. He lifted his wand and began to twirl it in a complicated pattern. The tip glowed yellow as a design of light was traced into the air resulting in an interwoven Celtic knot. As he drew he hummed an incantation. It wasn't in Latin, though that was as far as Harry could comment. With a steady hand lines wove and danced into place, shimmering with power. It was impossible complicated and he marveled as the wand never hesitate, never wavered in its precision. Eventually the drawing was complete and it rose to rest horizontally over his head. It sunk, enveloping him head to toe before disappearing without a sound.

"Right then." Alex finished with a happy sigh as if he hadn't done some of the most beautiful and complicated magic Harry had ever seen. "Off we pop."

Dressed up in his school trousers and a t-shirt with the least amount of holes he could find Harry joined Alex outside. Alex was wearing a pair of black jeans and a button down tartan shirt. It was the beginning of summer to the sun was warm but the wind blew sporadically and it had the bite of chill.

"Mr. Dawsen! Yoohoo!" A voice called out as they walked past a house. An older lady came bounding out of her house. She was dressed in a long dress made out of a fabric that would've been more appropriate on a couch from the fifties. Her grey hair was pulled up into a bun and held by a butterfly clip. She had a bright smile on her face as she wiped her hands on an apron. A smear of flour adorned her cheek from where she had wiped a stray hair out of her face.

"Mrs. McArthur! How wonderful to see you this morning." Mr. Dawsen replied in a flirty tone, moving to stand right outside of her gate as she approached. Harry followed, marveling at the wholesome warmth that seemed to seep from her being.

"Please, I told you to call me Sherry, didn't I?"

"Of course, many apologies."

"And who is this handsome young man?" She turned to Harry. He took a step forward when a heavy palm on his back pushed him up.

"This is Harry. He is the son of Severus's cousin. He is staying with us for the summer as his parents do work in America." Alex explained happily, dropping an almost invisible wink to the Gryffindor. Harry offered his hand but was quickly pulled into a hug, his belly forced into the top bar of the gate as he was engulfed.

"Lovely to meet you my dear!" She gushed. "Now how old are you?"

"Fourteen. I'll be turning fifteen this summer."

"How wonderful! You are close in age to my son Daniel. He turns sixteen in August. I'm sure you two would be wonderful friends." She chattered. Harry tried not to blush when she lightly patted his cheek. "You must come in and visit sometime soon. You and Severus too. It has been such a long time since we have sat down and had tea. You must promise me that you will." She beamed at Alex.

"Of course, as long as you promise to make your famous pie."

"As if I would do anything else."

"Then I'm sure that I will be able to lure Severus out of his dungeon." Harry snorted, the image of Snape snuffling his way out of the Hogwarts dungeon in search of pie popping into his mind without his permission. He could see Alex standing behind a corner, rope in hand to spring the giant box he had enlarged as a trap.

"I'm afraid that we must be going Mrs. McArthur, Sherry," He corrected after a playful smack was aimed at him. "We have some shopping to do and I would like to beat the midday rush if I can."

"Of course dear. Have fun! And you better keep your promise, I want to see you at my table within the week!" She waved them off before toddling back to her house.

"Lovely lady." Alex sighed. "She has been living next to us for years. She had three children, two of them are out of the house now. Probably why she keeps trying to get me and Sev at her table. Always baking."

"She seems nice. A bit . . . forceful."

"Yes quite. Reminds me of my grandmother. Though she doesn't have the tendency to get drunk on port and racist like my granny." Alex chirped back.

"You seem very comfortable with the muggle world." Harry commented after a minute.

"As I should be, since I am a Half-blood. Well if you want to be technical I would be a quarter blood. My father was a Half-blood and my mother was a muggle. I spent a good portion of my time living in the muggle world."

"You are a Half-blood?" Harry repeated in surprise. Partially because the man was so comfortable in the wizarding world in a way Harry could never hope to be, partially because that would mean another non- PureBlood in the Slytherin house.

"Oh yes. That's one of the reason Severus and I chose to live in a muggle neighborhood. We both spent most of our childhoods outside of the wizarding world. We find it more comfortable here. The people are nicer too. Well they are nicer now, at least."

"Now?" Harry inquired.

"Well, we have been together a long time ago, when tolerance wasn't really permeated in society. We had our fair share of trouble throughout the years. But in the end those who could not handle us moved away or passed away, leaving us the victors. Though Mrs. McArthur was always a staunch friend." Alex said it in a blasé way though the slightly wistful and mournful expression on his face was anything but. They fell into an unsteady silence, preferring to listen to the motion of life around them instead of continuing down the path of the uncomfortable conversation ahead.

"Here we are." Mr. Dawsen came to a stop in front of a shop. Peering into the store Harry took note of all the clothes that lined the walls and stuffed the shelves.

"I thought you were running errands. Just the essentials."

"Yes. The main errand, to get you some proper clothing." Alex explained.

"But I don't need any more clothes." Harry protested. Alex dragged his eyes down Harry's current outfit. It was Harry's most presentable outfit but he also knew that it fell short of actually being suitable for public. The clothes had been washed to the point that they were thin and near see through. Colors had faded and hems were wrinkled and unraveling. At first glance it was okay but with a sharper eye one would only find a bed-raggled appearance. Still, he protested. "You don't need to buy me anything."

"Listen Harry," Alex sighed in exasperation. "We are your guardians for this summer, yes? It is a guardian's duty to make sure that their charges are properly clothed. I told you and your Aunt and Uncle that you would have everything provided for you. That includes this."

"But I can pay for it. I have the money."

"I am well aware of that. And you should be aware that Severus and I have even more."

Harry wanted to protest even more. It made him distinctly uncomfortable when someone buys him something, even if the occurrence is very rare. He didn't really know why he felt like that but whenever someone offered he could feel his stomach jolt, as if it was trying to turn 180 degrees and hide behind his spine. Regardless he went through the door when Alex opened it for him. It was useless to argue. Just like with the potions, therapy and other things, he was never going to win this argument.

When they emerged from the store Harry had more clothes than he had ever owned from the time he was an infant. He had originally thought that they were going to get something along the lines of a few shirts and two pairs of pants. Instead Alex seemed determined to buy everything in the store. Harry had t-shirts, nicer than any he currently had, some in plain colors, some with patters and pictures. He was also loaded down with a half dozen polo shirts, even more button downs, three new sweaters and four vests. He had no idea why he would ever wear a vest but Alex declared them stylish and a necessity in every young man's closet so he shrugged and let the man dress him up. They moved onto trousers after Alex had declared their selection 'good enough for now'. He had a stack of jeans ranging in colors and fits. He had two pairs of khaki pants, five pairs of professional looking black trousers and a pair of red trousers "just for fun". Alex sneered at the offered corduroy. With a disdainful sniff he declared that there was no one that he was willing to be seen with in cords, not even his own husband.

Harry had been happy when they were done, incorrectly thinking that they were done. Before he had the chance to fully turn to the registers he was being pulled along to another section of the store. Soon to join their haul was a handful of ties, mostly in solid colors but a few ridiculously patterned ones. A trillby, a newsboy hat, and a beanie soon joined the pile. He was forced to pick up two pairs of trainers and a pair of oxfords. Finally Alex put in a value pack of sock and declared them done.

"Put these on." Alex commanded as they stood at the register. He had asked the lady to scan in a pair of dark jeans, a white t-shirt and a maroon vest first. He then handed Harry the stack and gave the order. He was forced to go back in to the dressing room to get changed while the rest of the purchases were rung up. He scrambled into his new outfit but by the time he was back out Alex had already paid and the receipt was tucked away where Harry couldn't see the damage that was done.

"That's much better." The lawyer gave his approval as he looked Harry over. Harry tried not to blush at the praise. He actually was quite happy with the effect of the new clothes. With his health improving he couldn't help but notice his body growing out. He was taller but instead of being gangly like Ron was the potions were helping putting a set of muscle on his body. He had lost the spindly, hollow look in his body. Even his knees looked less knobby now that he actually had some flesh on his bones. Dressed up like this he felt like Draco when the boy dressed down, with the causal professionalism that gave an air of nobility and rebellion. He may not particularly enjoy those type of snooty rich kids but he was not immune to the general jealousy that came when you see those type of people.

"Let's finish the errands now." The other errands they had to run was what Harry thought they would be doing when he left the house this morning. They dropped a letter into a post box, stopped at the grocery store to grab a few things and made their way home. He was still a little annoyed at being given so much but every time he looked down at the shopping bags filled with to the brim with things for him a smile crept onto his face despite his annoyance.