He was surprised when he opened his office door, revealing a drowsy-eyed Potter slouched against the dungeon wall, trunk at his feet and empty owl cage perched precariously atop.
"Good morning," Severus said, a trifle thinly, and saw the boy-no, man, he was leaving Hogwarts, after all-wince.
"Good morning sir," Potter replied. His voice was soft, no hint of defiance. Perhaps he could be taught, after all.
"Come with me," Severus instructed, holding the door open wider. None of his snakes were still around to view this fraternisation, and despite knowing there was no need to play pretense anymore, he still didn't want to be seen with the Boy Who Lived.
"Before you step through the Floo with me, I believe it would be prudent to go over the house rules and a particularly pertinent bit of information," he stated, watching the play of emotions across Potter's face. A flash of anger, a hunch of resignation. Interesting.
"If at any time you believe you cannot abide by these rules, you are welcome to make your own arrangements," Severus continued. "The Weasleys-perhaps Granger's family-"
Potter shook his head.
"No, sir," the boy rasped.
"Very well," Severus said briskly. "Although you may change your mind in a moment. You will be sharing your summer residence with not only me, but Draco Malfoy."
"Why-" Potter started to shout, then clamped his lips shut so quickly, his teeth clicked.
"You are not really entitled to an answer, but I believe I shall give you one anyway," Severus paced toward the fireplace, giving himself a moment to reflect. "You know what happened to Draco's parents." It was not a question. Potter's face paled before he nodded. Both Lucius and Narcissa were currently locked in Azkaban, and there was still muttered talk about Lucius getting the Kiss.
"The Headmaster and I, after my pardon, managed to avoid the same fate for Draco, but the Ministry does not wish him to be let around the magical or muggle world without supervision," Severus bit out. "Thus, for at least half of the summer, if not longer, I have agreed to take him in. If you choose to come with me, you will be on your best behaviour around him, do you understand? You are seventeen now, almost eighteen, and you will act like it. No taunting him about his parents, no schoolyard rivalry."
"Pity you didn't feel that way about him mocking my parents' deaths," Potter mumbled under his breath. Severus's temper flared and he had to recite the ingredients for a Calming Draught in his head before he could respond.
"Just because discipline was not meted out in public does not mean no discipline took place, Potter," Severus retorted icily. "Rest assured I will be having a similar conversation with him before you two are forced to interact with each other. I do not expect you to become friends. I expect you to act like adults."
"Yes, sir," Potter said. His cheeks were stained an ugly red as he stared down at the tips of his trainers. They were surprisingly grubby-looking and Severus made a mental note to ensure that Potter made his way to a Muggle clothing store sometime in the next week. After all, he had no doubt that Hogwarts graduate or not, Dumbledore would still manage to look down on him if the Boy Who Lived was not properly shod.
"As for the rules," Severus continued. "I will be going over them in more detail when I can address both you and Draco, but the short version is as follows. Do not leave the grounds without my permission. There are still rogue Death Eaters about, and you'd be a prize catch. Do not go into any room I have marked off-limits or you will find yourself doubling as Potions ingredients. Treat the house elves with respect, or the same will occur. You will obey my instructions unless you can politely explain what you disagree with. If you behave at my home the way you have behaved at Hogwarts, which is to say, abominably, you will find yourself nursing a rather unpleasant set of consequences. If you wish to be treated as a child, I will be more than happy to oblige."
Severus took a deep breath, feeling the chill of the dungeons seep through his robes.
"I will not, however, turn you out without prior warning," he said, and watched the tension leak out of Potter's shoulders. "Even if all I do is Fire-call Albus, you will not be dumped on the streets."
"Thank you, sir," Potter whispered, and Severus took note of the defensive hunch of the boy's body, the shame that glistened so brilliantly in Lily's green eyes. Not for the first time, he wondered what Potter's life had really been like with Petunia.
"I believe that is enough for the moment," Severus announced. "Time to go."
"Wait," Potter stammered. "Hedwig-will she-I mean..."
"She will find her way through my wards fine, I assure you," Severus said dryly. "I will ensure the wards let her past."
Potter nodded pinkly, and Severus threw a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace.
"Spinners End!" he declared, and they were off.