Don't Own

Please R&R

Enjoy!

…

Once they apparated into the entrance of the manor, Snape deposited Harry, none too gently, onto the floor. The Potions Master then sent him a death glare and started pacing.

Harry gulped as he stood between Ron and Hermione; he knew he had really screwed up. Harry stared at the floor, he didn't want to look at his friends, he was afraid of catching their accusing looks, even if he did truly deserved them.

Finally Snape snapped at him ""What were you thinking…scratch that, I know the answer, you weren't thinking and you put yourself and your friends in danger because of it."

Harry bit his lip and looked up at the man. Snape was towering over him, a sneer planted firmly on his face.

"Reckless, irresponsible, nitwit, too proud and foolish to do as you are told." Snape continued, he stopped pacing. "You could have gotten us all killed. If those women had been within the Death Eaters' ranks and they had come to suspect us we might as well have handed ourselves to the Dark Lord on a silver platter. Not only would I have been no longer trusted in the inner circle, they would have done anything to get at you, and my wards are not set up to keep them out."

Harry shivered at that.

"Thankfully those two particular women where just two acquaintances I knew in school, they are not affiliated with the Dark Lord" Snape said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Harry looked down at his feet again as Snape continued to rant. It had been going so well, he had actually been getting along with Snape but then he had to go and mess it up.

Snape seemed to go on and on, saying how Harry could have blown the whole operation after all the hard word that had gone into it, and how Harry didn't even care enough about his friends' safety to try and get it right.

Harry felt like digging himself a hole and crawling into it.

"Are you even listening to me?" Snape snapped and Harry looked up at him.

He nodded quickly.

Snape just continued to glare.

"I'm really sorry…I didn't mean to, it just slipped out…" Harry said, trying to look the man in the eye, but failing.

Snape grunted "That's no excuse, you've been told over and over again to practice it…to try, but you refuse. I don't see why Granger and Weasley can get it so easily but you can't, tell me Potter, what's so hard about this, or are you just trying to make things difficult?"

"I'm not!" Harry protested "I wouldn't."

Snape did not look convinced.

"I'm sorry, I promise to try harder" Harry said.

"I want to hear you say it?" Snape said.

Harry flattered "…What?"

"If you really want to convince me that you'll actually try, you have to say it. You can't just have Riley and Ben's names down; you have to call me dad too, so we don't have another slip up."

Harry stood there for a moment and blinked a few times. He finally glanced at Hermione and Ron; they were looking at him expectantly.

"I'm waiting" Snape said impatiently, tapping his foot.

Harry looked back at him "I…" he began, Snape narrowed his gaze "yes d…I can't do it!" he shouted, his hands clenching into fists.

"Potter!" Snape growled.

Harry looked away from him, then he turned on the spot and ran out of the room.

"Harry!" Hermione called and was about to go after him but Snape put an arm out to stop her.

"You two should go to your room," Snape said "I will talk to him."

Hermione looked like she was going to object but then Snape added "Now." his tone leaving no room for argument.

…

Once Hermione and Ron had begun making their way up the stairs, Snape turned and made his way after Harry.

He walked into the kitchen and looked around, the boy wasn't there, so he made his way into the study, Harry wasn't there either. He was just about to call one of the house elves and ask them to locate the boy, when he looked out the study window and saw Harry's small form sitting on a bench in the back garden.

Snape took a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions before he went to talk to Harry. He knew from experience that yelling or using force would not work on the Gryffindor, and that he would have to keep himself in check.

Snape walked out the back door and strode across the lawn purposefully. When he got to Harry, the boy was sitting hunched over on the end of the bench, staring at the ground.

Snape sat down beside him, but didn't say anything.

They both sat in silence for a while.

He was collecting his thoughts and trying to figure out how to go about the situation when Harry spoke up.

Though Snape didn't show it, he was immensely relived that the boy chose to speak first.

"I've never called anyone dad before," Harry said quietly, still not looking at Snape "I lost my parents before I was able to talk, and I never saw my Uncle as a father figure." Harry seemed to shudder at the thought.

Snape continued to sit quietly and listen.

"I think for Ron and Hermione it's easier for them because they grew up with loving parents, and their fathers are still around" Harry said. "I really do feel bad about almost blowing our cover, I would never want to harm Ron or Hermione…or you, because of a slip up, so many people have died already. I really do want to try, to be able to call you dad easily, but every time I try to say it, I choke."

Snape mulled over Harry's admission in his head; he now understood why it was so difficult for Harry. He tried to think of what to say to the boy to make him feel better. Snape had to admit he wasn't good at this, but he knew he had to do it if their plan was going to work. He couldn't have Harry slipping up again; chances were that the next time it happened they would be surrounded by the wrong people.

"Listen…Harry," he said using the boy's first name for the first time "I understand why you are having trouble with this but there is no way around it. It is the upmost importance that you get it flawless. If you don't continuing with this pretense would be dangerous. Not continuing with it would be dangerous too, though less so."

Harry looked up at Snape sadly "I know…" he sighed and looked away again "it's just hard..."

Snape frowned in thought "I don't know if this will bring any comfort to you but…I assure you I take no pleasure from the thought of making you call me dad."

Harry looked up at him questioningly.

"The thought rather chills me actually…" Snape said "Imagine, me, the father of a Gryffindor. It's incredulous!"

It took a moment for Harry to realize that Snape was trying to make a joke. The he smiled slightly at Snape as he tried to hold back a laugh. "You never know…" he stated.

Snape gave him a horrified look "Don't even joke about that" he said.

This time Harry actually did laugh, Snape seemed truly freaked out by the thought.

After a moment they lapsed into silence again, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

"Do you think you'll be able to make an attempt at staying in character?" Snape asked after a few minutes "Or should I floo Dumbledore and tell him we have to call the whole thing off."

Harry was silent for a moment "I'll try…d…dad" he finally managed.

Snape gave Harry and approving look and then gestured to the house "I'm sure Riley and Ben will be wondering if you are okay, perhaps you should go speak with them?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah , okay…dad."

Both he and Snape stood up "I believe they are in your room" Snape said and then watched as Harry ran into the house.

Snape shook his head once he was alone "What have I gotten myself into?" he muttered.

…

The next day Harry found himself in the Library with Ron and Hermione. He had apologized to them the day before and explained why he had been having so much trouble with calling Snape dad.

They had forgiven him, as he knew they would, and told him that they understood. Hermione said she was just happy that he was okay.

The Prince Manor's Library was an enormous room abundant with books on seemingly every subject. It was like paradise to Hermione, who wanted to spend every free moment they had within its depths.

Snape had been called away to a Death Eater meeting that morning, something that he was unable to get out of without angering Voldemort. Snape had told them where he was going, and asked them to stay in the house until he returned. They had agreed, knowing that it was for their safety and that it would make things a lot easier on Snape.

Though she understood why he had to go, Hermione hadn't been happy about it. Harry knew she was worried about the Professor. At the moment she was sitting in an armchair with a large book in her lap, but Harry could tell it wasn't holding her attention. She kept nervously looking up at the clock above the mantle and fidgeting impatiently.

Truthfully Harry was worried about the Professor too, though he tried not to show it. Snape had been gone for hours and Harry was beginning to get knots in his stomach as he thought about what could be taking the man so long. He wondered if someone, other than the two women, had overheard Harry call Snape Sir the day before, and if Voldemort was now torturing him for it. Harry didn't like that idea one bit, if something happened to Snape because of him, he would never forgive himself. Though if what Snape had said the day before had been true, he might not have much time to worry over it because Voldemort would probably be there to be done with them before they even had a chance to warn the Order or Dumbledore.

Harry tried not to think about it, he closed his eyes and sat back in his chair, hoping that Snape would get back soon; alive and in one piece.

Ron was sitting at a window seat, looking down at the grounds. He didn't even pretend to be reading. Harry wasn't sure what Ron felt for Snape but he could tell his friend was also worried.

They were all on edge.

There was a loud pop in the room and they all jumped, looking towards the sound.

A small female house elf, which they had come to know as Millie, was standing at the entrance of the Library.

"Lunch is being ready" Millie said in her squeaky voice.

Neither of the three moved from their spots, they weren't hungry, not even Ron could think about eating at the moment.

Millie frown "Master Snape will not be pleased to be finding out you aren't eating."

That got them up; they didn't want to deal with Snape's wrath when he got home…if he ever did, for he definitely wouldn't be in a good mood.

Hermione stood up to put away her book, while Ron stretched his stiff limbs, his joints popping as he did so. Harry went to wait for them outside in the hall.

Millie had popped away; Harry guessed she would be down in the kitchen when they got down there.

Harry stopped for a moment once he was out in the hall, there was a door across from the Library which Harry was positive hadn't been there before.

Ron walked out after him "What are you doing Gabe?" he asked looking at his unmoving best friend as he headed towards the stairs "Come on."

"Was that door there before?" Harry asked as he pointed to it.

Ron looked at it and then shrugged "Dunno, I don't remember."

Harry walked closer to it and then tentatively pulled it open, not really thinking about what he was doing. The door creaked as it opened, it was dark inside and Harry couldn't see anything.

"Well?" Ron asked walking over "What's in there?"

Harry took a step forward into the room and looked around, it was small and once Harry's eyes adjusted he realized that there was nothing in it. "It's just a closet" Harry said turning around to walk back out, but before he could the heavy door, which had only been slightly open before, slipped closed on its own.

With the light from the hall gone, Harry was bathed in darkness.

Harry felt for the knob of the door with his fingers, but when his hand had located it, he found that it was locked.

Harry tried to push the door open but it wouldn't budge.

"Ben!" Harry yelled and knocked on the door "It's locked from the inside, can you open it?"

There was no response, in fact Harry could hear nothing, the silence was deafening.

Harry tried again, he pounded his fists against the door "Ben!" he yelled "Riley? Please someone open the door!"

Again there was only silence.

Harry's breath quickened, he felt like the walls were closing in on him. He had always hated small spaces, after being locked in a small, dark cupboard for eleven years he had good reason to be.

Harry continued to yell and pound on the door.

Harry was scared, and the potion was making itself known as his panic took over. On the edge of his mind, his six year old self threated to get loose without Harry's rational mind to hold it back.

Harry yelled his throat raw and then staggered back against the wall. He slid to the floor and curled up into a ball, rocking himself back and forth.