First off, I apologise for chapter 2, I didn't mean to post it as I wasn't happy with it, however, I hit a button and there we were. I have no idea where the underlining came from, it wasn't there when I previewed.

Lots of 'thank you's to every one who has put me on their alerts.

More thanks of course to everyone who has reviewed! Wow! I just hope I can live up to expectations J

All going well, chapter 3 will not be underlined, x

And it sadly doesn't go without saying, I own none of this (except the mistakes)

Xxxxxxxxx

After the professor had left, Harry felt a little more at ease. Eileen made a simple meal of sausage and mash for dinner, and Harry chatted a little bit about his two best friends at Hogwarts. After the meal, Harry offered to do the washing up. Toby shook his head, "Its all right, lad, tomorrow is soon enough to put you to work" his blue eyes twinkling.

Not wanting to intrude on the Snapes, Harry excused himself to his room. (his room! He was never going to get tired of saying that!) Hedwig had arrived and was sitting on top of her cage, waiting on her human to stroke her head, which he obliged, getting as much comfort as she did. He was going to have to send her to for more owl treats, and food in case she couldn't hunt every night.

Then he cursed himself for an idiot! He couldn't believe he was about to happily send his owl off to get supplies and hadn't thought about getting something for himself! He really was slow.

Surely if he could owl order treats and food, he could owl order the apothecary for healing salves! And if he sent money it would be completely anonymous! He did not want anyone to know his uncle knocked him about.

He went to his trunk grabbing a quill, parchment and ink and thought about what he should ask for and then realised he had no idea how much it would cost.

Chewing his bottom lip, he wrote a polite note requesting a price list and recommendations for what would be the best remedy for a fast removal of bruises, and what the cost would be to have it made up and sent, and also how soon. As he sent his snowy owl off on her mission, he wondered how much it was going to cost and panicked in case he didn't have enough left since his last visit to the bank, which led to more things to panic about! What if he was no longer allowed to use the Potter vault since he was no longer a potter? Or would It be okay since it was his mother's vault too? Would Snape let him? The man had been annoyed that Harry had offered to reimburse him for the clothes. And if he no longer had access to his parents vault, he would be as dependant on Snape as he had been on the Durlseys, a thought he did not relish.

Hedwig reappeared just over and hour later, and Harry was relieved that the pre-made potion was not too expensive and was guaranteed to work within half an hour (it was the popular salve that

quidditch players used he was assured) Unable to stop himself from grinning, he filled out the order and sent a little extra money as he was so grateful, he also sent a note for the best owl treats he could for Hedwig, she deserved it.

While he was waiting on his delivery, he thought about writing to his friends, then decided that he didn't really want Snape to read anything he sent .

On a whim, he went back downstairs.

"Mrs Snape?", he got her attention as he entered the living room

"Mrs Snape is Toby's mother," She told him, her black eyes sparkling with amusement, "Eileen is fine for me sweetheart, or Gran if you want"

Harry chewed on finger nail. "you really wouldn't mind if I called you 'gran'?" he tried not to let it show how much he would love to call her that, it would make him feel like he really did belong and that he was wanted

"Only if you want to", she nodded. She had been nagging Severus for years to marry ,settle down and give her grandchildren. One out of three Sev, but I'll take it.

Shyly, Harry gave it a try. " Gran?"

Oh that was weird! And not just because she didn't look old enough to be a grandmother.

She chuckled. "It'll take time to get used to, now what was it you were after?"

"I just wondered if you had a telephone? And If I could use it?" the bottom lip was getting gnawed again.

"oh! Of course! Its through here." she started to lead him to the hall, " did you want to call your Aunt?" , she wished she had offered to let him do that rather than have to ask.

" Oh no, um actually a friend from school. Its just that Sn… uh pro.. Uh.." Oh Hell! What was he meant to call the Greasy Git now any way?

"Your father?", Eileen supplied. Poor kid, it must have been weird to suddenly be told one of your teachers was really your parent.

"He wants to read any letters that I sent and I figured I could …", he shrugged, already seeing that idea being vetoed.

"You would be best clearing any communications with your father first, sorry. I will assume he has a reason for checking your post?" she had been curious about that when the boy had asked about writing.

"I guess", Harry said. It was probably to make sure Harry didn't tell Ron and Hermione about the latest turn his life had taken, as if he was going to start bragging about being Snapes kid?! And he did actually know better than to trust sensitive information to owl post.

"You can ask him tomorrow", Eileen promised him.

He was coming back so soon? But that wasn't fair! Harry had been able to relax without wondering if a snide remark or putdown was coming his way.

"And I believe he is going to be arranging a study schedule for you too", she continued, then looked at the dismayed child, she added "don't worry, I'll make sure you get plenty of time off" She sympathised with him, who would want a teacher as a parent after all?

"Thanks", Harry told her automatically .

He knew he shouldn't really complain, given that he had normally had to do his homework in secret at the Durlseys (neither he nor they had considered no.4 Harry's home) This year he would be able to do his homework and the extra credit assignments as well, and have a professor on call (but seriously he would have preferred any other professor …..oh amend that almost any other professor … He most certainly did not want Lockhart for instance, or Umbitch or Trelawney…Jeez Dumbledore knew how to pick them didn't he? Maybe Snape wasn't that bad? He after all had never actually tried to kill or maim Harry ,which put him one up on Quirrel and even Remus)

It had been a long day and Harry excused himself to bed just before ten. He glanced nervously at Eileen. "good night, grandma" he said quietly, blushing when she stood up to hug him

He hesitated when he turned to Tobias

The man grinned ,"gramps is fine or Toby" he smiled. He was surprised that the boy had used grandma so quickly

"night Gramps" , Harry ducked his head a little embarrassed.

Earlier on Harry had quickly put his new clothes away, but now he took some time to actually look at what the professor had purchased.

There was a selection of long sleeve shirts and t-shirts in different colours (only 2 were black, he's slipping! Harry thought) he now owned 3 pairs of blue jeans and one pair in black a pair of dress trousers and a couple of casual robes (one set in dark blue and one bottle green) and one set of new dress robes (black and with lots of those tiny buttons the man seemed to favour!) and a brand new all weather cloak.

Harry had to admit he was touched. His aunt had known him all his life and never spent more on him than she could, and a man who didn't like him had spent a small fortune on him. He even had pyjamas! A couple of pairs of shorts and t-shirt style, a couple of short sleeve full leg style an one pair were long sleeve long leg.

Then Harry noticed the underwear.

The snarkiest professor ever, had chosen and then paid for Harry's under wear!

Just kill me now! Harry groaned mortified

'its not like he'll ever see you in it' the boy told himself, 'Ron's mum buys his, it's what parents do'

'but' he argued 'It's SNAPE!'

'And he is your father'

'But I don't want him to be my father!'

'You would rather have no one again? With Snape you get a gran and grampa'

'I s'pose' he sulked

'And with the Durlseys…..'

'I know' he cut himself off 'I just wish….'

'I know'

Hedwig's soft hooting brought Harry out of the argument he was losing with himself. He shook his head, honestly any one witnessing that would think he had cracked. He gave his pet a generous helping of treats and checked she had enough water before turning his attention to his package- an early birthday present to himself.

It took some bizarre contortions, but he managed to get his back covered in the cream which would get completely rid of every punch and kick he had 'earned' from his uncle, he did his arms next, and last but not least, the one on his forehead, courtesy of Dudley ramming him into a doorframe. It was probably the only time Dudley had ever been shouted at by Vernon. Not for hurting Harry, the small teen knew, but for marking his face. It didn't stop Harry enjoying his cousin being on the receiving end though. He checked to make sure all evidence had indeed been removed, sadly noting that his scar had not been removed. Ah well, he had lived with it this long… he combed his fringe back to hide it.

He pulled on the green and silver short pyjamas, wondering if this was Snape's idea of a joke? Na that would mean he had a sense of humour, which in turn would imply he was human.

Quite a bit later, Tobias was on his way to bed, and passing Harry's room heard the boy talking. He popped his head in to see who he was talking to. He saw the boy was tossing and turning and giving out whimpers. He crossed over to the bed and laid his hand on the child's shoulder. The noise from Harry's throat got higher in pitch and it was obvious that the boy was in the grip of a nightmare. Toby shook the boy to waken him. Harry immediately muttered, "sorry, Uncle"

" Harry?", Toby shook the boy again and this time it worked, Harry's eyes snapping open as he awoke with a gasp. He took a couple of deep breaths, assuring himself he was safe. His scar was prickling a little.

"Sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No, are you all right?"

He knew he wasn't in privet drive and his uncle was not on his way to give Harry what-for for wakening the household.

"yeah, I'm fine" he assured his grandfather, honestly.

"Bad dream?" the man queried

Harry nodded

"Want to talk about it?" He made to brush the boy's sweat soaked fringe off his equally damp forehead.

Seeing the movement but not sure about what was going on, he pulled back from the hand.

Harry shook his head, his eyes lowered in embarrassment. What had he expected the man to do? Slap him after being concerned?

"I can get you a potion from Eileen if you want?" he offered , "she used to give them to Sev when he had nightmares"

Harry was tempted, but the Durlseys used to offer him something they knew he would like just to refuse it after he had plucked up the courage to ask- like a cold drink when he was gardening, or a school trip that the rest of the class had got permission for ,or lunch…

"I'll see what Eileen has" he decided not to wait on the boy answering. It was obvious that he wanted help get back to sleep, but was just too shy to ask.

When he returned to Harry's bedroom, the boy was sitting on the edge of the bed swaying clutching his head and groaning.

Poor kid, Toby thought, deciding to get Eileen, a nightmare and now a migraine, probably both brought on by the stress of the last few days.

Eileen came into the room just in time to conjure a bucket for Harry to vomit into.

"oh God! I am so sorry!", Harry apologised, so embarrassed he wanted to cry.

Eileen sat on the bed beside him, rubbing his back until they were both sure he had finished.

"You go freshen up, sweetie" she told him, getting rid of the contents but keeping the bucket just in case.

He gave a watery smile when he came back after brushing his teeth and washing his face.

"I'm sorry" he told her again.

They wouldn't send him back to the Durlseys would they?

Don't worry, Harry" she guided him back into bed and tucked him in.

"now drink up", she handed over the stomach calming potion, not that Harry recognised it, it had a different smell to what he was expecting

His grandmother smiled as she noticed him smelling it.

"I tweaked the recipe a little. Lilies worked better for me"

Harry grinned, maybe his mum was looking out for him?

He gulped down the dreamless sleep she handed him too.

He was asleep before she left the room.

Around ten the next morning, Eileen and Toby were enjoying a mid morning cuppa when their front door opened and Severus came into the living room.

"morning" he greeted his parents. Glancing around and noticing a lack of teenager he asked "where's Harry? Not grounded already?" he hoped not or the boy would be on the receiving end of more than just a tongue lashing from him!

" He's still in bed, Sev", Eileen told him.

The professor's face hardened, "I asked that you didn't spoil him." his tone was as hard and cold as his face.

"Sev.." his mother started but Tobias took over.

"No Eileen, Sev is right. This is his child we are talking about after all, so what he says goes", he squeezed her hand as he turned to his son "however, Severus, the boy had a rough night and we thought a long lie wouldn't hurt"

Not liking it, Severus just "hmmmm" ed but left it .

Harry came down stairs after eleven, having enjoyed a hot shower.

"morning" her greeted his grandparents, before realising the Professor was there also, and he stuttered out a "morning sir" suddenly very self conscious.

"It is barely still morning", snape commented in is cold sneering voice.

"Sir" Harry acknowledged the man had spoken but had no other comment for him.

"Come on lad, let's get you some breakfast", Toby led the child through to the kitchen.

Deciding that she would help the slight boy on his way to a growth spurt, Eileen had slipped some nutrient potion into his pumpkin juice, which he drank while nibbling his toast. Toby took himself out the way, leaving the next generation to it.

Severus sipped his coffee, watching his son, shaking his head. Honestly! The-Brat-That-was-Worshipped had only been here one day, and already had his parents wrapped round his wand!

"Maybe I should have taken you to my home after all, my parents seem to have joined your fan club!" he drawled enjoying a smirk when the boy glowered, finishing his breakfast in silence.