AN: First of all, thank you for all your awesome reviews. I'm flattered. I guess that's my personal record for just one chapter. Some of you asked me about Narcissa. Please have patience, I will explain her absence in an other chapter. And of course I want to thank my beta reader Jasper's Mom.

Snape

Harry sat in a Muggle kitchen and watched Professor Snape preparing dinner. He would like to help but he wasn't sure if the professor would appreciate it. So instead he just sat by the table and watched the man cut vegetables with the same accurateness he would use for potion ingredients, feeling completely out of place.

Professor Snape hadn't said much as Lucius had sent Harry over. He had shown Harry the room, where he would stay for the time being and then had left Harry to get comfortable.

"If you want to help, you could set the table," Professor Snape suddenly said.

Harry jerked at being suddenly addressed but then he nodded and stood up. Severus pointed to one of the cupboards to his left and as Harry opened it he found plates and glasses. Dutifully he did what he was asked to. He also found a jug, filled it with water and set it on the table. The silverware was in a drawer right under the cupboard with the dishes.

"Do you like orange juice?" Professor Snape asked as Harry was ready with setting the table but the boy just shrugged a shoulder.

"I have some fresh oranges. You just need to squeeze them," Severus explained and at Harry's questioning look he said, "Wait a moment. I have a squeezer somewhere."

The squeezer was in one of the upper cupboards, where even Severus had to stretch his body to get it down. "Here you are. Be careful with the knife. Lucius will kill me, if I let you come to any harm."

Harry worriedly looked up.

Severus sighed inwardly. "No. You are no bother, if you fear that. If you had to know; it was my idea to let you stay with me until Draco learns his lesson. I'm sorry I treated you badly in classes. I never had guessed that you are a victim of abuse."

This time Harry frowned, clearly trying to deny that he had been abused.

"You have been abused at one point or the other," Severus pointed out but then said, "We will discuss this at a later date!" 'When you start talking again,' Severus thought to himself. Harry hadn't said a single word since he arrived and Severus wasn't surprised. Lucius unintentionally also abused Harry and although the boy didn't seemed to hold it against the man it still must have left wounds in his soul.

-oxo-

The dinner was delicious and Harry helped Severus by washing the dishes afterwards but then the boy vanished into his room and never came out again. As Lucius flooed over in the evening he asked Severus how Harry had been.

"I'm not sure. He hasn't said a single word. I checked on him a few minutes ago. He has fallen asleep but even in his sleep he looked troubled," Severus said concerned.

Lucius shook his head with a sigh and sat down opposite of his friend. "I'm worried. I'm starting to wonder if it was the wrong decision to take him away from his relatives. Obviously I did an even worse job than they."

"Absolutely not. This whole mess arose because of his abuse by his relatives. His low self-esteem must have a reason. He will need time to get adjusted to the new living arrangements. It would help a lot of course, if Draco would accept him as a brother."

"I still don't get why he protected my son, if Draco was nothing but hostile to him," Lucius shook his head.

"Who knows. Maybe he thought it was expected from him. He grew up with his cousin. You told me a few days ago that said cousin obviously was allowed to punch him without any consequences. We can only guess what else his aunt and uncle did to him and in what way the boy is damaged."

After a silent moment Severus went on. "As it seems Harry is being a very helpful young man. He helped me by setting the table for dinner without making a face and did the dishes afterwards as if it would be a matter of course. He is quite the opposite of what we first thought about him. I am starting to wonder if maybe Draco really earned this punch in the face. Harry clearly is very far away of being a hooligan. I really wonder what happened that day in Diagon Alley."

"And I spanked him," Lucius said conscience-stricken.

"Well, you didn't know him then. You did what you thought was right. If Harry had been in Slytherin and acted in such a manner in my classroom, I would have considered spanking him, too. This behaviour is not a way to solve problems."

"But then I spanked him for Draco's misdeeds. I know he doesn't hold it against me but seeing how much he is hurting now, makes me feel really guilty."

"What's done is done. You should focus on Draco now and leave Harry to me."

Lucius sighed. Now that he know how much he had hurt Harry he wished he could hug him and never let him out of his arms again until he had made it up to him but he also knew Harry wouldn't like to be hugged by him right now. "Do you think Harry will get over it?"

Severus shook his head, "Just time can say for sure."

Oxo

"Good morning, Harry!" Severus greeted the boy the next day as said boy entered the kitchen.

"G'morning," whispered Harry nearly soundlessly but Severus heard it nonetheless.

"How are you feeling?"

This time Harry just shrugged a shoulder. He felt completely empty inside. He was convinced, now more than ever, that there was no place where he really belonged. He felt like the freak his relatives always pointed out that he was.

"Take a seat. Breakfast is ready," Severus said and pointed to the kitchen table in an inviting gesture.

"Thank you, Sir" Harry finally said.

"You are welcome."

At these words Harry froze in his movements for a moment. Was he now? He never had the impression that he was welcomed in Snape's presence.

Severus watched the frowning boy and sighed inwardly. He really wished he had known about Harry's living conditions before. He was ashamed of himself that an old grudge made him so blind and caused him to verbally abuse the boy during the school year. It would be hard for him to earn Harry's trust, or so he thought.

"Do you feel ready to talk a bit?" Severus asked after the breakfast.

Harry looked up from his spot at the table he had stared for a while. "Talk? About what?" he asked in a low voice.

"About what happened at the Malfoys," Severus explained while he waved his wand and banished the empty plates towards the sink.

"Nothing happened," Harry answered automatically.

Severus arched an eyebrow, "I beg to differ."

At that Harry shrugged a shoulder and said, "I was bad. Mr. Malfoy just did what he believed was right."

"Bad? In what way have you been bad?" Severus asked in a gentle voice.

"I…" Harry started while looking down at his hands, "I lied to Mr. Malfoy."

"Yes, that you did. The question is why?" Severus steepled his fingers and rested his elbows on the tabletop.

Harry shivered and wrapped his arms around his body. To explain that, he would have to talk about his relatives and that was the last thing he wanted to speak about right now. Instead he answered, "I didn't want Draco getting into trouble with his father."

Severus suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Well boy, that much I could guess on my own. "What did you hope to gather with this behaviour?"

Harry frowned at this question. Wasn't it obvious? Angrily he jumped out of his seat and shouted, "Draco did these things because he doesn't want me as a brother and I don't belong to the Malfoys. I'm just disturbing their family. I'm just a bother."

Severus arched an eyebrow at that outburst. Obviously he had struck a nerve. Patiently he waited until Harry sat down again with a whispered 'sorry'. Then the man asked in the same gentle voice, "If you are really just a bother, why do you believe Mr. Malfoy took guardianship of you?"

Harry was quiet for a very long time. He wished his professor would stop this questioning. What other reasons could Mr. Malfoy have beside the power he now gained over Harry? The only reason the man came after him was to punish him. He wanted revenge and he got it, but clearly he cannot say that to Professor Snape so he finally answered, "I don't know."

Severus wasn't convinced however. "I think you may have an idea of Mr. Malfoy's reasons, don't you?"

Harry looked at Severus with wide eyes, debating with himself if he should voice his belief or not. Severus watched the boy and waited.

"To be able to punish me," the boy said eventually while looking down again.

"Yes, it does look an awful lot like that, doesn't it? And I'm sure as he went to your home a week ago, he intended to see to it, that you get a proper punishment for your behaviour in Diagon Alley. However he wasn't prepared to find your relatives so disinterested and he definitely wasn't prepared to find himself in the position to deal out your punishment himself. It came to him as a shock. He contacted me and he told me what happened at your relatives. We both realised that you were at least neglected by them. He lost no time arranging to get guardianship of you, because he was concerned for you. He cares for you, Harry."

Harry looked at Severus in disbelief and the man knew there was nothing he could do to make Harry believe him.

"Another question: How do you feel about Mr. Malfoy?"

Harry paled. Nervously he bit his lip with a pained expression. How was he supposed to answer this question? "I don't know," he said once more.

"Just give it a try. Nobody will harm you or punish you for your opinion," Severus encouraged the boy.

"I'm confused about Mr. Malfoy," Harry admitted eventually.

Severus nodded to himself. Confusion was the least he expected but he wanted to give Harry the time to clear his thoughts, so he asked in a gentle voice, "Can you explain in what way?"

Harry wrapped his arms around himself and stared a hole into the table in-front of him while he answered, "Sometimes he acts like he would want me, at least he says so but he is very harsh in his treatment of me. I mean, I understand that if I had done all the things, it would have been his right to punish me but… while he was punishing me it felt like he would hate me. I mean, who wouldn't hate such a troublemaker like me? I have no problem with hate, I am familiar with that. My relatives hate me, too... But Mr. Malfoy he... after the punishment he… he hugged me and said I'm forgiven and wanted in the family but I don't feel like I would be wanted. I know that nobody likes a freak like me. He confuses me... how can he like someone like me?"

A heavy silence hung between Harry and Severus after these words. Severus was shocked speechless. This boy in-front of him clearly was not just neglected but heavily abused, at least verbally.

It took him some time before he found his voice again. "I hope you realise one day, that you are no freak at all. Of course Lucius likes you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have taken guardianship of you."

"But that was before he realised how much trouble I am. Now he is stuck with me."

"Stuck with you?" Severus repeated disbelievingly, "Harry, Lucius isn't stuck, at least not in the legal sense. If he is stuck then it is because he has grown fond of you and doesn't know what to do. He wants you to be happy. He wants you to be part of the family. So the question is what do you want? How do you feel about the idea of living with the Malfoys? Is it completely unthinkable for you to feel at home there?"

Harry was shocked to hear that. Could he really believe his professor? He sat unmoving, still staring at the point on the table.

Severus studied the boy in front of him. He was surprised that Harry had revealed so much about himself so far. The potion master had thought that the boy would be more stubborn and uncooperative. It was one more proof of how little he had known about the young Gryffindor.

After some time Harry did give his answer. "It would be really nice to belong to somewhere," he whispered and then looked up at Snape again. "But… I don't want to be a bother. Draco doesn't like me and he is not used to sharing his dad. I don't want to take his dad away."

The lost look in Harry's face made it more than clear how love starved the boy was.

"You are no bother, Harry," Severus pointed out, having a hard time keeping his voice strong. Never before had he been that appalled about a situation. "After all I have learned about you in the last few days and especially since your stay with me, I believe you cannot be a bother even if you try to be one. You are just a very unlucky young man when it comes to your guardians. While the Dursleys abused you intentionally and probably told you that you will never have a loving family, Mr. Malfoy was just strongly misinformed. He really cares about you but he doesn't know you and therefore made a grave mistake in his treatment of you. And Draco… he has wished for a brother all his life. I'm sure if he gets to know the real Harry he will welcome you, too."

Harry shook his head in disbelief, "Draco has always treated me horrible since I started Hogwarts. I can't imagine that he will ever see me as a brother or like me in any way. He seems to really hate me."

"What if Draco asked you to give him second chance?" Severus asked, "Do you think you could give him one?"

Again Harry took his time until he answered, "It's not only me Draco hates. He also hates Ron and Hermione. As long as he just sees them as a mudblood and a bloodtraitor I'm not sure it would work. I personally don't hate Draco. I would love to give him a chance but he hurts me and my friends with his words whenever we meet each other."

"Was that the reason you punched him in Diagon Alley?"

Harry's eyes suddenly darken drastically. With an angry look the boy turned away from the man.

Still with that uncharacteristically soft voice Severus asked, "What happened? Would you tell me?"

Harry once again didn't answer immediately but he also didn't deny the question so Severus waited curiously.

Sighing Harry finally told, "We ran into each other as I left the Quidditch store. We both weren't looking where we were going. I apologized and hoped he would just continue on his way but of course I had no such luck. Then he started to insult me."

Harry didn't go into any details but, knowing Draco, Severus could imagine that the blond-haired boy chose his words well to get to Harry's nerves.

"I see," Severus said. "Just ignoring him and walking away was no option to you?"

Harry looked uncomfortable now. "I tried," he whispered, "I had my back to him already but he still wouldn't shut up. When he started to insult my friends and made fun of my parents, something in me snapped and I lost control."

Severus nodded in understanding, "I know my godson is very skilled with words and I do not agree with his misuse of his ability. He really should know better. I hope though, you also know that it was still no excuse to punch him."

"I know, Sir" Harry said crestfallen.

After some thinking Severus offered, "If you want, I can teach you some methods how to keep calm when being threatened with words. It may be useful in the future. I'm sure you are aware that you cannot run wild like any other boy. You are closely watched by the whole wizarding community."

Harry shivered at that. He hated his fame to no end. For ten years he was a nobody, expected to keep his head down and stay invisible. Now that was impossible because of his fame. Now everybody expected nothing but the best behaviour of him. He cannot even pick his nose without the public's notice.

Crossing his arms again and frowning deeply Harry confessed "I hate this fame. I never asked for it."

Severus considered Harry with a sympathetic look and wondered once again how he could have been so wrong about the boy. Then he answered, "There is nothing you can do about that, no matter what. With the Malfoys on your side though, I guess it would get better. Nobody wants to mess up with a Malfoy. They are very influential."

Harry sighed and then silence hung between him and Severus again. That is, until suddenly the fireplace flared and a voice called out. "Severus?"

It was Mr. Malfoy. Severus stood and went into the living room to answer the call. "Lucius, what can I do for you."

"Draco has something to say to Harry. Do you think Harry is ready to listen to him?"

"I will ask him," Severus said and was about to go back to the kitchen but then he spotted Harry leaning on the door frame, his hands still wrapped tightly around his torso. They locked eyes and Harry shrugged a shoulder.

"We can try. Will you come over?" Severus asked.

"Yes, that's what I had in mind," Lucius answered.

Once again Severus looked at Harry. The boy had taken a step closer now and nodded once. Severus gave room for Lucius and Draco to step through and stood next to Harry. He wanted to place an arm around the small shoulders but he was not sure if it would be appreciated so he let it be.

"Harry!" Lucius greeted the green-eyed boy and gave him a tight hug, forgetting himself in his own excitement. Harry stiffened immediately and as soon as Lucius realised his mistake he let go of the boy, "How are you doing?"

"Fine" Harry whispered, angry with himself for his reaction to Lucius' show of affection.

Lucius nodded to himself while stepping back and trying hard to hide his hurt. At Lucius' move Harry's eyes fell on Draco. The blond-haired boy looked as uncomfortable as Harry felt.

Nervously Draco glanced towards Harry. It was hard enough for him that he was expected to apologize but it was a lot harder to do it with his Dad and Godfather around. Draco was aware that there was no chance that he could ask to speak with Harry in private; still he wished the two adults would let them alone.

Harry seemed to read his mind because he looked up asking Severus silently for more room.

"You are sure?" Severus asked and Harry jerked his head in a nod.

"Very well, we will be in the kitchen if you need us." With that Severus and Lucius left the boys on their own.

"Thank you," Draco whispered.

Harry just inclined his head, not saying a word. Draco rubbed his right hand against his left arm in a manner to warm himself a bit while he nervously licked over his lip. "Well... erm... I wanted to apologize to you. I was brat," the blond stuttered.

Harry didn't look impressed.

"Look. I didn't really think about why my father would want to adopt you, of all people. In my eyes you had all the fame I always wished for. It never crossed my mind that your relatives would be anything but thrilled to have you. Therefore I didn't understand why you would try and take my dad away. I thought you just wanted our name to get the same influence my dad has, as if you would need that."

Still Harry didn't say a word, so Draco went on, "I really have no idea why you played along after the vase incident but I thought if you want to be a Malfoy you should know that it is not as easy as it looks. My dad is a very strict man. I hoped either he would get sick of you or you would get sick of him.

"I wasn't aware how hard he was with you. He spanks me, too, if I misbehave, but just for big things like, bringing shame to the Malfoy family, or for endangering my life, or the life of others, but never for just breaking things by accident or the other things I have done. He told me he spanked you at least four times because of me, and I will receive four spankings within the next few days, right before bedtime. That is, now there are just three left. I got one of the four yesterday in addition to the one I received one right after you left. I guess I will not sit comfortably for a while."

As Harry was still silent Draco whined, "Well, say something!"

"I accept your apology but I'm not sure I can forgive you right now," Harry said in a very low voice.

"Not even when you know how I am punished?" Draco asked hopefully.

Harry winced. "It's not that. I never wanted you getting into trouble with your dad because of me. It's more... I don't know... You were horrible to me and my friends the whole year."

Draco looked down, ashamed of himself. "I'm sorry for that, too. All I ever wanted was your friendship but you refused it and I was angry about that. I'm not used to not getting my way, therefore I treated you so horribly. I know, it was wrong."

"You know, if you wouldn't have belittled Ron or Hermione right after they became my friends, there would have been a chance that I could have been sorted into Slytherin. Then we could have been friends. Now I'm a Gryffindor. Can you really befriend someone from Gryffindor?"

Draco was shocked about the news, "You? A Slytherin? Oh my, I would have liked that. To answer your question; yes, I can befriend a Gryffindor if said Gryffindor is my brother now." With that Draco smiled uncertainly.

"Your brother? Not just a bother?" Harry asked.

Now Draco grinned "My brother and sometimes a bother, too."

Finally a tiny smile brightened Harry's face.

Draco was relieved to see it. "You still don't have to forgive me right now but I hope I can make up to you someday. You have no idea for how long I wished for a brother."

"You really mean it? You are not just playing with me?" Harry asked, uncertainty swinging clearly in his voice.

"And risking getting another spanking? Definitely not. No, Harry, I mean what I have said. I always wished for a brother. It just never crossed my mind that I would find one in you. Now I feel really badly about how I treated you," Draco admitted.

Harry sighed. "It is still hard to believe that I would have a family that won't detest me. I'm not quite sure if I have the right to intrude your family. I mean-"

Harry stopped mid-sentence as he heard a whimper coming from Draco. "Harry, please," the blond said and looked pained, "I'm so sorry. Please, stop talking so low of yourself. You make me feel bad all the more. Of course you have the right of a loving family. I wish you to become my brother, okay? You are not intruding, you are welcomed. I was just a stupid brat these last few days and during school, too. It will stop, I promise."

Harry was taken aback as it was more than clear that Draco really wish them to become brothers.

Before Harry could say anything else Lucius walked into the room and said, "Draco. It's time to go back. There is still a lot of work waiting for you."

"Yes, Dad. Can Harry come back with us?" Draco asked.

Now it was Lucius who was taken aback. "Are you sure Draco? You know that you have at least three other-"

"Yes, Dad," Draco interrupted his dad, "I know. I earned them and I agree to it. I just think it is no reason to keep Harry away. I'm not angry at him anymore. I'm angry with myself."

A proud look crossed Lucius face, "Well, I think it is up to Harry. What do think, Harry? Do you want to come home?" With these words Lucius turned to the black haired boy.

Harry was overextended with all the sudden turns of events. He had no idea what to do. Home sounded wonderful but Harry wasn't sure if he felt home at the Malfoys. Too much happened in such a short time.

Severus watched Harry closely and finally came to the boy's rescue. "Why don't we meet each other at dinner and then Harry can choose where he wants to sleep. I would like to have Harry over just for a moment longer, if that is okay?"

"I'm okay with that. Harry?" Lucius asked and at that Harry nodded finally unable to utter a single word.

"Well then, see you two at dinner. Come, Draco." Lucius guided his son to the fireplace and a second later they were gone. Harry starred at the empty place, tears slowly rolling down his cheeks.

This time, as Severus stepped next to the boy, he did place an arm around the obviously distraught child.

"Thank you," Harry whispered, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I should have gone with them but... I couldn't."

"You have been hurt by both of them. It is natural to be afraid to go back. An apology cannot erase what you have been through," Severus explained and to his surprise Harry turned towards him and buried his face into Severus' chest heaving deep heartbroken sobs. The startled man wrapped his arms around the small frame and just stood there waiting, occasionally rubbing the boy's back.

"You know, I have not really earned your trust in the least. I also caused you grief during your school year," Severus suddenly said but Harry just shook his head. "Nt t sm" he mumbled in response.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that."

Harry sniffed and then pulled his face a bit away from the fabric of Severus' robes and repeated. "It's not the same."

"No?" Severus asked surprised.

"You never had any guardianship over me. You were just my least favourite teacher." Harry explained with a shrug of his shoulder.

Severus was amazed at Harry's sudden confidingness. "I treated you horribly, Harry. Still here you are, standing, letting me comfort you. It seems like you have forgiven me but my simple apology was nothing compared to Draco's."

"You showed me kindness and understanding since I came over. It makes me trust you. I kind of feel safe here," Harry admitted and finally looked up.

"And it is just your second day with me. I'm sure soon you will start to feel safe with the Malfoys, too," Severus pointed out.

Harry sighed. He wasn't as sure as his professor was. He was surprised though, how fast he came to feel comfortable with the man. As Lucius suggested that Harry should stay with Professor Snape, Harry was afraid of his hated potion master and now he felt safe with Snape but was afraid of Lucius? That was really confusing.

"Will you also became my godfather if I am an official Malfoy?" Harry suddenly asked.

"Would you like me to?" Severus returned the question still amazed at the boy's fast growing trust towards him.

Harry nodded and smiled shyly.

"I will have to talk to Lucius first but I don't see why that should be a problem," Severus said tousling a hand through Harry's hair.

"What should I call you then?" Harry wondered.

"In school I still will be addressed as Professor Snape or Sir but in private you may call me Severus or if you must Uncle Severus. I do not like any shortenings of my name." Lily was the only one who called him Sev. Since her death he cannot bear someone calling him that.

Harry nodded his head in understanding, "Okay, Severus."