Harry eyed it warily, before wrapping his hand around the clad forearm. He felt a jolt, as if he were being pulled in every direction and before he knew it his feet hit the pavement and he fell forward. But before he could hit the ground Snape caught him and held him upright. "What the hell was that?" He asked, as he looked around at his surroundings. It took a few seconds for the world to stop spinning, and he seemed surprised that he had yet to vomit at the sensation.

"Language Potter, and that was Apparition."

"Well I don't think I like Appariting. We couldn't have just flown here?"

"To risky." Snape said as he started walking briskly down the road. "Come on. We don't have time for you to dawdle."

Harry quickly caught up with him, but found that he needed to power walk just to keep up with the Professors long strides. He looked around at the decrepit houses that lined the street, and a foul smell that seemed to be emanating from the river. He could now see why his Aunt didn't want to stay with Snape.

"Spinner's End." Snape said at the look on Harry's face. "I see it's not up to the standards of The-Boy-Who-Lived."

Harry held back a biting remark, "It's fine, Sir."

Snape grunted and mutter, "We shall see." He took to the steps of a nearby house.

Harry looked up at the building with it's looming brick walls and it's wooden window frames. It was an ominous place that he could only imagine someone like Snape wanting to live in.

As he took to the first step he could feeling a tingling sensation pass over him. "Those are the wards. You're not to go outside the wards unless you have my permission." Snape opened the door and stepped inside with Harry on his heels.

The room was enclosed in shadows for several seconds, before Snape flicked his wand and a fire roared against the far wall. Bookshelves stood from floor to ceiling against most of the available wall space. Large leather bound tomes dominated the space. What walls could be seen were brown in color. A threadbare wingback chair sat beside the hearth; opposite it a matching settee that looked hardly touched. One corner of the room had a pile of luggage that belonged to himself and the Dursley's.

Snape eyed the luggage, "Ridiculous." Harry felt that Snape would have said more, but the door suddenly opened and Dumbledore strolled in happily with the Dursley's looking disgusted as they entered the house.

"This place is completely unacceptable! You must find us another house. This place isn't even fit to be called a house. It's more of a shack than anything." Vernon started as he looked over the furniture and the book laden walls.

"Where's the telly?" Dudley bellowed, as he glanced about the room frantically.

Dumbledore was about to explain before Snape cut in. "Trust me I don't want you in my home anymore than you want to be here. If there was another option that would work you wouldn't be here. But that isn't the case so you will have to get over it. I'm not going to deal with your melodramatics all summer. And there is no televisions here. Some people like to further their knowledge and pick up a book." Snape snapped, his eyes narrowing in on the family.

"How dare you speak to us like that! You people are completely uncivilized vermin." Petunia started, her hands clutching Dudley closer to her.

"Enough!" Dumbledore commanded, though his face was impassive. "You will all have to just learn to get along. This is the only option that will give Harry and yourselves the best security. Severus is a busy man, and you may not even cross paths that often. Just be mindful that this is his home, and show a little respect and he will do the same. But now we must get you settled for the night. Then we can start putting the other wards in place."After several minutes of sorting out whose bag was whose they followed Snape up the stairs to the first landing. "Potter you and the Dursley boy will have to share this room." He said, opening the first door on the left. The light from the hall spilled in showing only a tarnished wrought iron bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. Snape pulled out his wand, and the Dursley's took a step back. He took Hedwig's cage from his pocket and set it against the opposing wall transfiguring it into another bed. "It'll do until there is time to find a proper bed. You two can fight over which bed you get. Petunia, you and your…husband have the last door on the left. I suggest you get settled and call it a night. I wont have you wondering about my house. The bathroom is the first door on the right. Oh and stay out of the last room on the right. If you tamper with it, you will regret it." With that he turned on his heels, leaving the four at the top

Harry woke the following morning in the room he was now sharing with this cousin. Neither were happy about it, and Harry got stuck on the transfigured bed, because Aunt Petunia didn't want her Dudder's to touch the magical piece of furniture. But Harry didn't have a problem with it. He was positive the bed was much more comfortable then the old beaten up one that Dudley got stuck with. And he surprisingly slept well under the circumstances.

He reached for his glasses that he placed on the windowsill the night before, and swung his feet onto the cold hardwood floor. Sun poured through the grime on the glass, the old worn and holey curtains did a poor job of keeping the light from entering the room. The walls were a deep green, the desk battered with deep scratches embedded into the wood, and Dudley had already claimed the wardrobe the night before, even though it could never contain his massive amount of things. Harry had been left to leave something's in his trunk; while other things like his books were stacked in piles on the floor.

Dudley, despite the uncomfortable bed looked like he was resting well. His leg draped over the edge of the bed, and his pillow seemed to be collecting a large pool of drool. Harry sat for several minutes debating on what he should do. Did he dare go down and see if there was food to eat? Would Snape yell at him like his Aunt and Uncle did for even thinking of taking a bit of food? He wasn't sure if he should risk it or not, but his stomach gave a growl and decided that he needed something in his stomach. Even if it were a lousy piece of bread.

He stepped lightly on the floor as it creaked under his weight, hoping that it wouldn't be enough to wake his cousin. He shut the door lightly behind him and headed down the carpeted wooden steps. The house was quiet aside from the groaning of the wooden floorboards and Harry was wondering how early it was. And if Snape would even be awake. But as he passed through the living room and into the kitchen he saw Snape sitting behind the morning addition of the Daily Prophet, with a cup of tea beside him.

"Good morning Sir." Harry stated somewhat awkwardly as he stood on the threshold.

"Potter, sit down." He said as he folded up the paper and tossed it on the table. "You couldn't at least dress for the day. Or are you incapable of doing that yourself as well?" He asked as he took a sip of his tea.

"I'm not incapable of dressing myself." Harry said as he vigorously pulled out the nearest chair and sat across from his hated professor.

Snape set the cup down forcefully, his black orbs narrowing in on him. "This is my house Potter and you will speak to me with respect.""You don't speak to me with respect! Always mocking me over the stupidest thing."

"You're a child, you don't deserve respect and -""I'm not a child!" Harry yelled, his fist coming in contact with the tabletop.

"Yes, that much is obvious. Tomorrow you will have the task of cleaning out cauldrons. Perhaps that will teach you to control your temper. Though I highly doubt it." Snape stated, as he flicked his wand and food appeared on the table. "Eat." "I'm not hungry, Sir." Harry said, as a stomach gave a groan.

"You will eat Potter, even if it means I have to get a house elf and have them force feed you. You're underweight and I will not have people thinking that I don't feed you." He stood, and walked over to a nearby cupboard and pulled out a vial that contained an orange liquid. "Take this." He said, as he handed the bottle to Harry.

"What is it?" Harry asked as he took the bottle and pulled open the stopper.

Snape gave a sigh, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a nutrient potion. I know your quite incompetent when it comes to potions, but it's a second year potion. You should be able to identify it by the look and the citrus smell.""I don't need this, Sir." He said, as he placed it away from him on the table.

"Take it Potter. You're malnourished and it will help. You will be taking it three times a day with your meals. So I suggest you get use to it." He said, and waited for Harry to down the potion. When he was satisfied that it was all gone he pointed to the food. "Eat, before your cousin and uncle do."

Harry wanted to laugh, but instead just smiled a little and slid some food onto his plate. "Where did this food come from anyways?""Hogwarts. Dumbledore arranged it so they'll bring our meals for today, but after that we're on our own.""I can cook. I can!" Harry said, annoyed by Snape's doubtful expression.

"Potter, you can barely get by in potions. I don't think I want you anywhere near the stove.""My Aunt and Uncle have made me cook for years. Do you think if I cooked badly that they would let me cook?" He said, hoping that he had proven his point.

"Fine. You can cook on a trial bases. Provided that the food is edible and you don't burn down the house. Any mess you make you clean up. The muggle way.""Fine. I can't use magic anyways." "Potter, this is a magical home you can do magic here even though it's against the law. If you say nothing to anyone then neither will I. But if I find you've been using the privilege unwisely I will confiscate your wand until term, understood?" "Yes, Sir. But if I can use magic why do I have to clean the muggle way?

"There is something to be said by doing things yourself; without the use of magic."

Harry gave him a doubtful look, but didn't push it. He was more than capable doing the cleaning the muggle way. Besides he didn't really know how to do household spells. "So what are we doing today Sir?""We aren't doing anything. I have potions to brew and lessons to plan. You and your relatives will have to entertain yourself. You are not to come into my lab without permission. It would be wise if you passed that information onto the rest of them. It's bad enough that you're living here, but I will not have you disrupting my brewing."

"Well what am I suppose to do?""I know very well that you have homework Potter. I suggest you start on that. And take your time. I know the filth that you usually turn in, and while you're staying with me this summer you will not be allowed to waste away the summer without properly studying. You will leave your essays on my office desk." He said, pointing a long finger to toward the bookcase. "And I will review them to make sure they're properly done."

"What office?" "You just put your wand on the bookshelf and it will open to my office. You and I are the only ones that will have access to it. Don't make me regret it Potter. I have very little faith in you as is. So don't tarnish it by snooping through my possessions."Harry looked a bit perplexed as to why Snape would allow him anywhere near his office, but felt a bit of pride that Snape would allow him access to it. And felt, for some odd reason that he needed to prove himself trustworthy to the man. "Sir, is there a password or something?""No, it'll read your magical signature. It's much more secure than a password.""It's not going to take me all summer to do my homework. What am I suppose to do after that? Can I go flying or something?"

"You are not permitted to go flying. You will focus on your study's for once. You have OWLs this year and -"

"I would have had all of my schoolwork done every summer, but my aunt and uncle lock up my books! It's not like I didn't want to do it. Homework is about the only connection I have with magic during the summer. I only get a chance to do it when I end up at the Weasley's and that time before my third year when I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron." "Mr. Potter, you interrupt me one more time and I promise you I will make this summer miserable for you.""Trust me, you've already ruined it." As the words escaped his lips he regretted it.

"Potter, you're a egocentric brat just like you're father!" Snape's hands found the tabletop as he glared at Harry. "I've given up my peace and quiet this summer to accommodate you and your disgusting relatives. The thanks I receive from you is your insolence. You don't appreciate the sacrifices people make for you. You just assume that everyone should bow down before you, and answer to your every whim. Let me tell you this now Potter, that will not happen here. You will respect me and you can expect to be scrubbing cauldrons for the next few days. Am I understood?""I'm not egotistical, and neither was my father! I don't expect people to do anything for me. I didn't ask you to take us in. You don't need to make it sound like you're doing me some kind of favor."

"This is how you treat Lily's child?" A voice from the threshold said. They both looked to find Petunia standing there. A disgusted look on her face as she stared at the two in the rundown kitchen. "Once I found out you taught him at the freak school last night I assumed that he would be your little pet."

"Enough Petunia! I'm not above using magic on someone like yourself." Snape threatened, as he stiffly straighten himself out. "Eat. I do not want to be disturb until lunch." With his lips pursed, he looked at Harry. His eyes void of emotion. "Potter, you will find food in the cupboard and the fridge and pots and pans cabinet. Do not burn down the house and make sure that you clean up after breakfast and whatever mess you make for lunch."

With that another word he turned on his heels, his cloak billowing behind him as he disappeared behind a door. "Aunt Petunia, how does Professor Snape know my mom?" He asked, but she didn't answer. She gave him a humph and sat down with Dudley and Uncle Vernon joining soon there after. Harry disappeared out of the kitchen; tired of the Dursley's constant complaining.

A/N

I would like to thank everyone for your wonderful reviews! They mean a lot to me. And a big thanks to those of you who have put me on your story/author alerts.

HP_Bookworm: I love your insight on the story and your critics. I agree that my reasoning for why the Dursley's are staying at Spinner's End are not that believable, and I agree that them staying at Headquarters would make much more sense. But for the sake of my story I really wanted to put them with Snape. I figure it will bring up Lily a bit more quicker than if I just had Harry go off and live with Snape. I think it will also build a sense of camaraderie when they realize what they have in common. I agree that it would be a great story if the Dursley's did go to Headquarters. I'm kind of tempted to write it, but I'm not sure as of yet. Perhaps someone else will see this and do it. And if one of you do you should link me. Again thank you so much for the lovely review HP_Bookworm it was very lovely 3