Ok well this chapter is not my best. Things have been busy for this last week and I wanted to go ahead and post something at least. Not to mention I have some what been addicted to you-tube for the last couple of days. My beta informed me that I will go brain dead if I keep on watching that and being on the computer all the time. I told her it was too late, hehe. I may go back and edit this chapter later, but I will inform you if I do.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of my most faithful readers who have reviewed for every single chapter. You make this hobby well worth it. You guys are my inspiration. I'm not going to try to name you all because I'm afraid I'll miss someone, but you guys know who you are. THANK YOU!!

Thank you to my beta as well, Almightyswot (who has not had a chance to look over the last half of this chapter since I just finished and want to go ahead and post, so excuse any errors or rough spots).

Disclaimer: I wish I was rich and beautiful and famous and imaginative...but alas I am not. So everything you read here belongs to the wonderful and talented J.K. Rowling, and all credit goes to her.

Sirius Explodes

It was just after two in the morning, and Harry lay wide awake in his bed. He could not sleep, he was too worried. He knew that Sirius cared for him. Even if it did sometimes seem if it was only because he was James' son. Harry knew that Sirius cared for him, but didn't understand why. Sirius hadn't known him long. Sure he cared for Sirius, but wasn't it because besides Ron and Hermione, he was the only one to really show any care towards him, not just because he was with their friend or they pity or worship him. Sirius cared for Harry, because he was Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter, he was his godson. Thats why he cared for Sirius and why Sirius cared for him.

This is not what he was losing sleep over however, ok... maybe just a little bit. The main reason he was laying there worrying though, was the meeting to come that morning. Sirius had shown up to Harry's birthday dinner last night, as a gift from Remus. Later Sirius had asked him what had happened to make them bring him to Hogwarts for the rest of the summer. Harry didn't quite know what to tell him, not that he exactly wanted to tell him anything. Anyone who wanted to tell this man that his godson and been abused by his relatives for 13 years, and was now living with, and the charge of 'Snivillus, the greasy git of the dungeons' must be totally mental, to say the least.

After speaking with the headmaster, Dumbledore had requested a meeting with the four of them (Remus, Sirius, Snape, and Harry) to inform Sirius of everything that had happened. This is why Harry was too nervous to sleep.

He knew the moment that Sirius found out about what had been happening at the Dursley's he would be enraged, and more than likely plan to hunt them down. If that didn't do the trick, (which he knew it would) then the 'icing on the cake', so to say, would be the fact that his childhood and current nemesis, was now Harry's legal guardian.

To say that Sirius and Snape disliked each other would be a huge understatement. Harry still hadn't figured out how they had been in the same room together at his party without killing each other, never the less, not speaking at all. He laid there with these thoughts running through his head until he couldn't take it anymore.

He cast a tempus charm to check the time and found that it was now 3:30am. He picked up the book that Ron, Ginny and Fred and George had given him on seeker training tips and began to read. When he was about 3 chapters in, on a chapter of tips for flying in the rain, his eyes began to droop closed, he tried to continue reading but fell asleep.

Harry woke later that morning around 7am. He rushed to take a shower and get dressed for breakfast. He knew Snape would be agitated if he were late. He entered the room with about 3 minutes to spare. His guardian was already sitting at the table sipping on a cup of what looked to be coffee. Harry sat and sipped on his own pumpkin juice. "I see you managed to make it to breakfast on time after your late night last night." The potion master said this without his usual snideness, witch confused Harry immensely.

"Yes sir" Harry replied, not knowing what else to say.

"Though maybe you could enlighten me on why it is you look like you've been up all night then?" his guardian asked with no hint of emotion on his face.

"Well, um...you er..see..ah..sir..." Harry struggled. He didn't really want to tell the man that he was worried about what Sirius might do when he finds out what all happened.

"As eloquent as ever, I see Potter. Did you not go to bed as I told you to when we got in?" he asked.

"Yes sir, I did."

"Then what is the problem Potter? Why do you look like you've been trampled by a herd of hippogriffs?" he inquired.

"I just couldn't sleep sir." Harry tried to avoid the problem.

"And why was that?" the potion master's patience was running out.

"I just had a lot on my mind, just worried about some things and thinking." he finally answered.

"What is it that you are worried about Potter?" Snape asked in an even tone.

Harry sighed, he knew there would be no way around it. "You know how Sirius is sir, what do you think he'll do when he finds out what's happened?"

"He is a grown man Mr. Potter, he is capable of making his own choices. Leave it to the adults to deal with him, do not worry yourself. Do not worry yourself over your relatives either, whatever may come they are sure to deserve." He stated evenly.

"Well, you see, it's not only the what happens with the Dursley's that worries me either. I mean...oh never mind." he frustratingly finished.

"Do not tell me that you are concerned for your godfather or myself in the guardianship issue?" Snape inquired, one eyebrow raised.

"It's just I care about him and I don't want him upset with me, but at the same time this is the best home life I've ever had... Including at the Weasley's during the summer. They were great and all, but I just felt like I didn't fit in. I guess I kind of feel like I belong here." Harry hid his face and his flushed cheeks. Oh Merlin what had gotten into him?! Why did he just tell him that?

Snape was shocked to say the least. The boy actually liked it here? That sure was ...something. Harry...no Potter, (why in the name of Merlin, is he calling the boy Harry in his own head?) must have had it worse than it seemed if he actually liked rooming in the dungeons with his ever so hateful potions master. "I see, do not work yourself up over this Mr. Potter. Things will even out in the end. However, if you have trouble sleeping again, I must ask that you request a sleeping drought. It would do no good to have The-Boy-Who-Lived sick in the infirmary because he hadn't gotten enough sleep." he admonished.

Harry didn't know what to think, it almost sounded as if Snape was concerned for his health. There was no sneer, or malice, in that statement. Just what appeared to be general...concern. Bloody hell things were getting weird! "Yes Professor" Harry replied.

Snape then called the house elf he always used and requested breakfast. After finishing off his bacon, eggs, and toast. He inquired of the potions master "Sir what time are we supposed to meet everyone?"

"Ten." was all the reply he was given.

After breakfast, Harry went back to his room, looked over and put away some of his presents. At the bottom of the box was the training snitches that Snape had given him. Deciding that he needed to thank the man for the costly gift, he left his room again. He found Snape in his study scanning the shelves for a book. "Um sir? Sorry to bother you but..." he paused.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"Well sir, I just wanted to say thank you for coming last night and for the training snitches. They're really wonderful. You didn't have to get me anything, especially something that cost so much. It's good enough of you to agree to this guardianship and treat me decently." Harry felt his face flush at that statement and turned to examine his shoes.

Maybe the boy does have manners after all, Snape thought. "I am not so uncivilized as to show up at a birthday party with out a gift Mr. Potter" he told the boy, "and how much money I spend and on whom is my business alone. Besides, you will need all the training you can get if you want to stand a chance at beating Slytherin's team this year." He smirked. Harry grinned and laughed at that.

Hearing the boy laugh gave him a funny feeling deep in his chest. He found it hard to believe that someone who had been abused as this boy had was capable of such a pure innocent laugh. Snape turned his back to the boy for a moment as he felt his own lips quirk up at the corners. What an odd feeling that was. He hadn't had something come that close to making him smile in years. Yet just hearing the boy's laughter, almost did. Was he ill? This was Potter!

Harry turned to leave but turned back at the last moment. He had almost forgot, "Sir, as soon as I can get to my vault I'll pay you back for all the items yesterday, and some extra for your trouble." he told the man.

"Keep your money Potter, I am not in need of it. I have a small fortune of my own, as if, it is any of your business."

Harry just smiled. "I'll pay you back some way Professor. I Promise." And he turned and left the study.

Later that morning around a quarter to 10, the potion master knocked on Harry's door. He found the boy sitting at his desk working on his summer assignments. "It is almost time to meet the headmaster. We should be going." Harry put his work away and made his way out of the room. With all that had been said between him and the Professor, he had almost forgotten his troubles.

They made their way to the Headmaster's office. They arrived at the gargoyle, "Pepper Imps" Snape said with a roll of his eyes. They rode the stair case to the office and entered after knocking. Sirius and Remus were already seated.

Sirius gave Snape an open look of hatred. "What is he doing here?" He he stood and asked Dumbledore while pointing a finger at Snape. "I thought this was about Harry? He has nothing to do with Harry and I request that he leaves!" Sirius nearly shouted.

"Quite the contrary Sirius, Severus here is who we have to thank for Harry being alive and well at Hogwarts. Why without him, you godson might no longer be here." He told the angry and now confused animagus.

"What do you mean 'without him Harry might no longer be here?" he glared "What did he do?" he demanded.

"My dear boy, Severus indeed saved Mr. Potter. Now if everyone will have a seat I shall explain." Sirius reluctantly returned to his seat and Harry and Severus sat on the other side. With Harry between the two. "Sherbet Lemon anyone? No? Very well then."

"Now Sirius, I will make this as short and detailed as possible. I was notified several weeks ago by a very worried, Remus, Mr. Weasley, and Miss. Granger, that we needed to check on Mr. Potter here. We were told that he hadn't corresponded with anyone all summer, and that his uncle seemed rather furious at the train station. Also, that in the past, Mr. Potter's friends had noticed a few possible signs of abuse. I sent Severus to check up on him. What he found was rather appalling. He discovered the conditions that Mr. Potter had been living in all this time, as well as Mr. Potter himself." He paused to squeeze the bridge of his nose to calm himself before continuing. "I will allow Mr. Potter to inform you of how he came to the state he was in if he wishes. Just know that when Severus found him, in the back garden, tied down, he was very near death. He had several broken bones, internal damages, and a very high fever. Severus brought Harry immediately to Poppy to be cared for. She informed us that if we had waited an hour before finding him, the boy he would not have made it."

Harry finally looked up to his godfather to find him blood red in the face and shaking with rage. 'Uh oh, here we go' Harry thought. He placed his hand on his godfathers arm. Sirius stood, still red in the face and shaking, and bolted for the door, which would not open. "OPEN THIS DOOR OLD MAN!! he shouted.

"It will not due to cause more damage than we can control Sirius." Albus stated.

"THEY ALMOST KILLED HARRY!! THEY ALMOST MADE ME LOSE MY GODSON!! I WILL NOT SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING! THOSE MUGGLES MUST BE DEALT WITH!!" Sirius roared at the top of his lungs.

"They have been dealt with Black, I handled it when I returned for Mr. Potter's things." Severus told the enraged man.

"Oh yeah, what did you do? Pat them on the back and say 'too bad you didn't kill him, better luck next time'? What would you care? You've never gave a damn about Harry before, so why would I trust your word Death Eater?" he said in a deadly whisper.

Severus who was more angered than he let on and replied "Well if that's the way you want to play, where were you when your godson needed you? Where were you when he was being beaten to a bloody pulp and left for death? You were out being a coward, hiding all nice and comfy in a cave somewhere, while your godson, was left defenseless against his muggle relatives. I don't need your trust, or your opinion on where my loyalties lie, so go scratch your fleas somewhere else mutt!!"

"What's wrong Snivillus? Afraid to admit your true loyalties now that Moldy Voldie's not here to threaten anyone? Why don't you go pack up your things as well as that pack of lies you just told and move to the Alps where you can rent out that nose of yours as a ski slope!" Sirius countered.

"Yes very mature Black, especially from someone who spent the last year as a dog eating rats and running from everyone. I bet you still shudder whenever someone even says the word Dementor don't you?" True to Snape's word, Sirius shuddered at the. "So yes, why don't you go and find yourself a nice bitch in heat to share your fleas with, settle down and a few pups, and leave things like this to the big boys." He sneered at the animagus.

"I'll show you mature!" Sirius pulled out his wand and pointed it at Severus, and the Potion Master returned the action.

"ENOUGH!!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs. "THAT'S ENOUGH!! BOTH OF YOU!!" He breathed heavily. "Professor Snape saved my life Sirius! You should be thankful. And you.." He turned to Snape. "I would rather have died, than to be the cause of another parental figure in my life being killed or worse kissed!" he said.

"Don't say that Harry, my life is well worth risking if it will save yours" Sirius told the boy. "I feel the same way about yours" Harry sternly told the man right back.

"There is something else you should know Sirius," Harry alerted his godfather with a quick glance at Dumbledore. "In order to for me to stay at the school, and the ministry not interfere, and try to make me go back to the Dursley's, or just as bad, Fudge try to gain control of me, I had to have a legal guardian. As you are on the run, and Remus is a werewolf" he nodded at the man "it had to be someone else. Not the Headmaster, who has a school to run. Not Professor McGonagall, who would be questioned on fairness later in the year, as she is my head of house. Not Professor Flitwick who has 3 children and 8 grand children of his own. Nor the Weasley's who would be in danger since Wormtail escaped. That only person left, who the ministry has no right to question, and this person has treated me well since this took place: I've been fed, clothed, have my own room, a huge room at that" He took a deep breath. " my new legal guardian is...Professor Snape" He finished.

"WHAT?!" he yelled. "NO I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS. YOU WILL NOT BE IN CHARGE OF MY GODSON!! Harry...what is going on? You know who this is...the same greasy git that lost Remus his job. The same one that has tortured you for the past 2 years. The same guy that your father and I disliked since we were in school. Yet you allow him to be in charge of your welfare? What have I done wrong?" he stated. "YOU!!" he pointed at Snape "What did you do to him!? What are you after?! What is in it for you?!" Lupin stood up and walked over to his best friend.

"Sirius...Please, they are right, there is no one else capable of steering clear of the ministry in this one. Would you rather have Harry go to Fudge? Or back to the Dursley's? They've made a compromise, Harry will be respectful and obey the rules, as long as Severus doesn't belittle him, or anyone close to him, and doesn't try to keep him away from his friends...or you" Remus informed the animagus. "As long as he is treating Harry decently and keeping him safe, there is nothing more we can do at the time. I don't like it much either, however," he said as he turned towards Snape, "if you harm a single hair on that boy's head, or mistreat him in any way, I will make sure to find you close to the full moon and deal with you" he solemnly informed the man. He remembered how afraid of him and his 'condition' Severus had been ever since the incident at the Shrieking Shack when they were students, and used it to his advantage.

Severus had to try hard to stifle a brief shudder as he remembered his close call with the werewolf. "I shall never harm any student, Potter or otherwise. Of that, you have my promise." Severus had never been one for physical violence, he had too much experience with it as a child himself. He wasn't above using his wand in most cases, but would never intentionally harm a student.

Sirius turned towards the Potions Master and threatened "I hate this, but if Harry and Moony are, even marginally, for it, I guess I will have to be too. I will warn you though Snape, if one hair on the boy's head is out of place Moony better get to you first because there will be nothing left after I get a hold of you."

Snape rolled his eyes and told the two marauders "Might as well just kill me now then, if you haven't noticed, that feature on the boy took after his father. He'll never have one single hair in place thanks to that gene" he sneered. Harry and Albus tried to hide their laugh as Remus smirked and Sirius glared. What was the world coming to when Severus Snape, greasy git, evil potion master, bat of the dungeons, made a simple harmless joke, concerning Harry and James Potter.

"Oh now that I could arrange!" the animagus intoned.

"Sirius..." Harry and Remus warned at the same time.

"Oh alright, alright." he receded.

"Now gentlemen, since we have this settled, why don't we adjourn to the Great Hall for a bit of lunch?" Albus dismissed them. "Sirius, all of the staff that are currently residing here, know of your presence and situation. You are welcome to join us if you like." He invited the still distressed man.

"I will join you Albus, I would like to stay and spend some time with Harry tomorrow on his birthday if that is possible, but I must leave by nightfall." Sirius replied. Harry's eyes lit up at the thought. This will be the first chance he's gotten to spend time with his godfather since he found out the truth of who betrayed his parents.

"I see no harm in that my boy. In fact I believe that Harry and I would both be delighted for you to stay another day!" The headmaster cheerfully responded.

"Well then, shall we?" He gestured grandly towards the door. Snape was the first to leave, followed by Remus, Harry, and Sirius. Albus Dumbledore made his way out of his office last. 'That hadn't gone as bad as it could have' he thought. He hoped that Sirius and Severus could learn to get along. Not for his sake or their own, but for Harry's.

As they entered the Great Hall and made their way to the head table, which Dumbledore always insisted that everyone present eat together during holidays, Harry noticed that the elves had finished clearing away the rest of the decorations from his party the night before. He sat in an empty seat between Remus and Professor McGonagall, unfortunately, today this put him right across from Snape.

Harry always hated eating across from the man, even in his own quarters, he had a habit of observing Harry as if he were some sort of potions experiment. It always made Harry feel quite uncomfortable. Lunch today was no different, Snape eyed Harry a moment before turning to fill his own plate with food.

Harry didn't pile his plate with as much food as the others because he was still getting used to eating, he was doing better though and ate a good bit at most meals, but never enough to need seconds. He ate his way slowly through his beef pot roast, roasted potatoes, and green beans, joining in on the conversation here and there, whenever he was included. After he finished eating he sat back and watched Sirius and Remus laughing at memory's of their younger selves. At times they would mention his father and Harry's eyes would light up as he listened to every detail.

After lunch, Harry started walking back to his room in the dungeons, 'my own room, never thought I'd get to say or think that' he thought. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard someone calling for him and saw something moving beside him. He turned his head to hear "Harry? Harry? You alright kiddo?" and see his godfather waving his hand, trying to bring Harry out of his thoughts.

"Sorry Sirius, I was just thinking." He amended.

"Oh, what were you thinking about?" His godfather questioned.

"Um, well, nothing specific really. Just about how much in my life has changed since the time before I knew about Hogwarts, and being a wizard, until now. It's amazing you know?"

"I can only imagine, I was born to a pureblood family, I've always known about Hogwarts and magic." the animagus told him.

"What was it like growing up knowing about magic and being a wizard Sirius?" Harry wondered.

"Well kiddo, I don't think I'm the best person to ask about that. You see, my family had all of the pureblood ideals that the Malfoy's do. Several in my family were into dark magic and following Voldemort. My family liked me well enough until I started Hogwarts and befriended your father." He stated. "You see, your father and his family were well known as one of the few pureblood families fighting for the light side. After that my family all but disowned me. When I got older I left and stayed with your father." Sirius finished.

They walked a few more paces and stopped. "I have to go speak with the headmaster about some matters in a few minutes. What do you have planned for later this afternoon?" Sirius inquired of his godson.

"Um, nothing really, I was thinking about taking a nap. Thinking of that meeting this morning, I didn't really get much sleep last night." Harry smirked.

Sirius had the grace to blush slightly. "Sorry kiddo, I hate that you had to see me like that." He apologized. "It just infuriates me to think of anyone harming you, especially someone who was supposed to be protecting you. As for the other part...I just don't like thinking of the fact that your fathers two best friends are incapable of being your guardian, especially with me being your godfather, and our childhood enemy is the only one who's qualified. If that isn't proof of your past coming back and biting you on the arse I don't know what is!" he explained in a sullen manner.

"It's ok Sirius, he's not that bad. I mean yeah, he's still snarky and all sometimes, but over all, he's ok. He helps me with my summer work, he gave me my own huge bedroom. He feeds me, he bought me all of these clothes, and burned the ones from my cousin. He even told me this morning to come ask him for a sleeping drought when I'm unable to sleep!" Harry tried to comfort.

"Just promise me that if he ever does anything to hurt you that you will tell me or Moony immediately, please Harry" Sirius pleaded.

"I will, I promise, but I don't think you'll have anything to worry about." He promised.

"Good. Now I need to meet Dumbledore. Can you meet me at 4? In front of the Great Hall?" Sirius requested.

"Yeah, I'll be there. I think I'm gonna go catch a quick nap first though." Harry laughed. With that Harry continued on to his quarters and Sirius headed for Dumbledore's office.

Harry entered his quarters to find Snape already there. He was sitting on the settee reviewing one of his potions books. It was already one 'o clock, and Harry knew that he needed to get a quick snooze in. He was worried that he'd sleep past his time to meet Sirius though. He decided to ask Snape for an alarm clock spell. They had them in the dorms already, he learned this from Ron in his first year, so he never needed to know it before.

"Um, Professor?" he cautiously approached.

"Yes Potter, what is it now?" asked the grumpy Potions Master.

"I was just wondering if you would mind teaching me the alarm clock spell that they use in our dorm rooms." he stated.

"You mean 'Perfect Potter' doesn't know it already?" Snape inquired snidely.

"No sir I don't." Harry said back sharply, but not so sharply as to acquire trouble or to ruin the chances of being taught the spell.

Snape noticed the boys attitude but supposed it had something to do with his own slight insult. He knew the boy wasn't perfect, especially in potions, quite far from it actually. The boy would be better if he'd just pay attention to what he was doing and his surroundings. He supposed that...wait a second. Potter hadn't been using an alarm spell to wake so early? How is that possible?

"Potter, how have you managed to wake so early without an alarm spell? I may not know everything about your age group, but I do know it's not normal for someone of your age to wake around six in the morning on their own everyday, and I have not heard a muggle alarm clock." He pried.

"Oh, I'm used to getting up early, I've done it my whole life. When you get up at six in the morning everyday of your life for 13 years, mostly to cook breakfast, it's hard not to." Harry replied. Severus stood there studying Harry, and thinking that he really needed to reassess this boy. The boy that he always thought of as a spoiled, arrogant, self-centered, attention seeking, smart mouthed, bad attitude, disrespectful, reckless, everybody's hero of a brat, was turning out to be quite opposite. So far he had discovered that the boy was physically abused, (and if Potters life was anything akin to his own, more than likely emotionally and mentally abused too) he was deprived, starved, unloved, adventurous, respectful to a point, averagely intelligent, and kind.

If Snape were to be honest with himself, he was seeing more of Lily in the boy than ever before. He still still had his fathers looks mostly, and his recklessness, flying abilities, and he was a magnet for trouble just like James was, but most of his personality traits came from his mother. Severus was sure this was as much an epiphany as ever.

Harry stood there for a moment, becoming extremely uncomfortable, and starting to squirm. Snape was just standing there, staring at him with a blank look on his face, as if he was lost deep in his mind somewhere. He thought maybe it would be best if he just went to his room and found a way to stay awake.

"It's ok Professor, I was just going to take a short nap. You don't have to teach me anything. I should learn to sleep at night. Sorry to have bothered you sir." Harry said while examining his new shoes.

Snape who was lost in thought of the epiphany just barely heard the boys voice ringing in his ears, but didn't understand the boys words. He shook his head clear and actually looked to see the boy staring at his shoes.

"What was that H.. Potter?" He corrected quickly. 'Merlin that was close' Snape thought. 'No matter how big an epiphany he had, he was not going to start calling the boy Harry.' "What is so interesting about those shoes Potter?" he inquired when he noticed to boy still examining them.

"Nothing sir, I was just saying that it's all right, you don't have to teach me the spell. I should learn to sleep at night. I'm sorry to have bothered you Professor." Harry turned to walk away.

"I was not ignoring you Mr. Potter, I frequently find myself lost in thought now a days. Luckily it is now and not many years before, otherwise I might have found myself in very grave situations." He responded. "We must be in your room for the spell to work there" He gestured for Harry to lead the way.

"I'm still not used to calling this 'my room', it just seems so unreal" Harry said, still in awe at the thought of having his own room.

"Well you best get used to it Mr. Potter. I will not have you calling it my guest quarters and having me look like a bloody fool in front of everyone." Snape informed him.

"No one will think of you as a fool Professor, a selfish git maybe, but not a fool." Harry retorted with a smirk. Snape shot him a sneering look but didn't reply. At least the boy was comfortable enough to joke, and not cringing away at every comment like he was at first.

They entered Harry's room and walked over towards his night table. "First off," Snape started. "The incantation is 'hora concutio' it is Latin for 'clock alarm'."

"Hora Concutio" Harry repeated.

"Yes, next you need to add the correct wand movements, which are swish and then and then an upwards strike. Try just the wand movements now." The Professor instructed. Harry did, and Snape replied "Yes, that will do, try not to flourish your wand as much however. Try the spell now."

"Hora Concutio!" Harry intoned firmly while following the wand motions. Just as Harry finished the upwards strike of his wand, a yellow jet of light shot out the end of it and onto his night table. It favored what muggles would call a 'digital reading' of time in yellow.

"As you know, all you have to do is point your wand to the time and state 'expergiscor' which means 'to wake', and the time you would like to wake. To end the alarm just say point your wand and say 'desino' which means to stop. The spell lasts for about 3 months so any time after that it will need to be cast again." Snape finished.

"Thank you sir" Harry expressed.

"You are welcome Potter." The man accepted. Snape turned and left Harry in his room.

'He really isn't a bad teacher when he's not steadily breathing down my neck and trying to insult me.' Harry thought. 'Maybe he would be good at teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts if he had the job. Blimey he sure has been acting odd lately though.' He was thinking as he set the alarm spell and lay down on his bed. 'Maybe he's not such a slimy git after all. Of course he's still a git, just maybe not a slimy one'

Harry was enjoying a nice peaceful sleep when he started waking from some strange loud beeping sound. It took him a moment to recognize it as the alarm spell that he had cast. He woke up canceled the spell with a quick 'desino',and left for his bathroom to freshen up.

Harry left the quarters, he didn't see Snape anywhere so he assumed he was in his lab and so he left him a note on the coffee table just simply stating that he had gone to meet Sirius. He made it to corridor in front of the Great Hall and only had to wait a moment for Sirius to join him.

"So kiddo, is the bat treating you well?" Sirius asked.

"Yes Sirius, I told you, you have nothing to worry about. He's been fine to me. I mean yeah, Merlin, the guy can be a git sometimes. Ok most of the time!" he added when his godfather gave him a look. "But the point is, he's treating me a lot better than my relatives ever did. We even made an agreement that I would do what he told me, like my schoolwork and go to bed, and be in by curfew, not back talk, you know stuff like that. In return he wouldn't belittle me or my parents, and you guys went without saying. Also he couldn't keep me from writing or seeing all of you guys. You should see the bedroom he gave me Sirius. It's huge! I think it's bigger than all of the Dursley's bedrooms put together. I even get my own bathroom, and it's almost as big as the prefects bathroom!" Harry enthusiastically explained to his Godfather. "Not to mention he gave me a pretty expensive gift for my birthday. It could never top any of yours or Remus' but I'm just saying that for someone he intends to mistreat he sure spent a lot of galleons."

"What exactly did he get you?" Asked Sirius.

"Well you remember the last gift I opened? The one that said 'To Harry, Happy Birthday'? That was from Professor Snape, I guess he didn't want anyone to know he gave me anything. It was a set of seeker training snitches." Harry tried to clarify. "I told him he could take it back if he wants, that it must have cost a fortune and he didn't have to. He just told me that 'how much he spend and on whom is his business only'." Harry sheepishly pointed out.

They talked all the way until dinner time. Sirius even told Harry some more stories about his parents and when he was a baby. He told Harry that when he was only about 6 months old that James had bought a toy broomstick for him, and that Lily found it in the wardrobe and had a fit. She had made James promise that he would not have Harry trying to fly until he was at least three years old. Little did his mother know that the very next day when Lily went to visit Professor McGonagall, James pulled the toy broomstick out of the wardrobe, and had Harry sitting on it holding his hands, as he flew around the room laughing and giggling up a storm. He taught Harry how to old on and let him try it once on his own. About half way around the room Harry let go to clap and slipped off sideways. James had to dive on the floor to catch him. He decided that one scare was enough and thought maybe Lily was right and he would have to wait until Harry was at least three to really learn how to ride. He put the memory in a pensieve to keep, however his mother found it one day and James wasn't able to get out of bed for two weeks.

They made their way back to the Great Hall from the lake for dinner. They entered to find most of the professors around the table. Each sat at an empty spot. Dinner was great as usual. They had steak and kidney pie, peas, dinner rolls, and Yorkshire pudding. Harry was excited and couldn't wait to spend the whole next day with his Godfather. They had planned to play some quidditch with the firebolt that Sirius had sent him last year, and the new snitches that Snape had gotten him. Harry also wanted to hear more stories about his parents and the Marauders. Remus had also agreed to stop buy for an hour or two.

Harry spent an hour or so after dinner up in the astronomy tower with Sirius after dinner, telling him about everything he could think of. He had told him about Ron and Hermione, and how great his friends were. He had told him about his dorm mates, Neville, Seamus, and Dean, that he'd roomed with since his first year at Hogwarts. About what he saw and thought on his first trip to Diagon Alley with Hagrid when he was eleven. About his favorite things, and Sirius even tried to get him to talk about girls, which Harry laughed at and told him that he wasn't looking for a girlfriend.

When night started to fall, Harry and Sirius said their good nights. Sirius headed for the guest quarters off of the second corridor, and his godson made his way to his quarters in the dungeon. Harry found Snape in his study reading a book on...what was that? 'Uh oh' Harry thought as he noticed the title, which Snape smirked at when he noticed. The book was titled "Rules, Boundaries, and Guidelines for Raising Your Magical Teen".

"Helping any?" Harry smirked.

"No, especially since these all pertain to normal teens, it does not seem to have any indications on what to do when raising Harry Bloody Potter" Snape sneered. Harry laughed.

"I guess with everything that has happened, I couldn't exactly qualify for normal. Merlin knows I try though" Harry sighed.

"Yes. Well, It seems you've had two long days in a row, no sleep last night, an extremely short lie in this afternoon, and you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow spending time with that mu...your godfather." Snape corrected, at a quick glare from Harry. "I suggest you go clean up and change and get some sleep." He directed.

"Yes sir. Goodnight" Harry stated as he walked out of the study. "Yes, goodnight Har..Potter" Snape replied.

Ok the spell incantations...the definitions that Snape told Harry for the incantations, ARE actually the real definitions. I looked up the Latin equivalent for each English word. So if anyone out there knows Latin and it's wrong. PLEASE DON'T SHOOT!! I'M SORRY!!

Thanks for reading everyone, I know this Chapter kinda sucked, well it did to me, so please if you have to, be critical but BE NICE!! Flames will be used to toast my marshmallows and make smores :-)

To those of you who like this chapter, THANK YOU!! YOU BLOW ME AWAY!!

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