Here's another. Enjoy!
...
"What?" Harry exclaimed, his voice choked. "But you hate me! Why can't I stay with Ron?"
"Because there is a law against it, Potter," he snarled. "I don't like this any more than you do, but we have no choice in the matter."
They heard some stones scraping and felt the floor shifting. A door appeared next to Hermione's. "I believe your bedroom has appeared, Mr. Potter."
"What?"
"Did you expect to sleep on the couch for the rest of your childhood?" Harry stood there silently, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Never mind. Go have a look."
Harry opened the door slowly. Behind it, he found a room about the same size as Hermione's with a dresser, desk, bookshelf, and bed, all in a dark wood. "This is mine?" he said, eyes wide.
"Yes," Snape said, veiling his irritation. "If you are going to be under my care, you need a place to stay."
"Thank you," he breathed.
Snape looked around at the white walls and bare mattress. He glanced at his watch; it was too late to go into Hogsmeade. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and transfigured it into a set of sheets, blanket, and pillow. He handed them to Harry. "Use these for tonight. Tomorrow we'll go into Hogsmeade and pick out some things for your room."
oOo
The following morning, Harry hesitated as they neared the home goods store, Bedknobs. "Professor, is there any way we can stop by a bank first? I don't think I have enough money with me."
"That won't be necessary, Mr. Potter," Snape said, barely glancing down.
"Then how will I pay for it?"
"You won't be. I will be paying for the things for your room."
"But..."
"Potter, whether we like it or not, I am your guardian and will pay for the things that you need," Snape snapped. "Save your money for sweets and inane quidditch magazines."
They walked into the store. "Go ahead," Snape drawled, gesturing lazily to the bedding section. "Pick out something you like." He watched Harry and Hermione wander up and down the aisles. Every so often Hermione would say something, but he would shake his head, look on his face growing more stubborn each time. He lingered in front of a quidditch-themed bedding set before looking at the price and setting it back down with a look of longing on his face.
After about thirty minutes, Harry returned with a pink flowered bedspread and matching sheets.
"This is what you want, Potter?" Snape asked, confused.
"Yes," he replied, a determined glint in his eye.
Snape raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"
"Yes."
Snape rolled his eyes, taking the sheets and bedding from him. "There are some pictures frames over there. Go pick out one you like." Harry forlornly went off. "Hermione, a moment please." She stopped and turned to look at him. "Why this bedding?" She looked at the floor. "I only want to help."
She looked back up. "It was the cheapest. Harry doesn't want to be a burden."
Snape sighed. "I see. Was it the quidditch bedding he liked best?"
"Yes, sir."
"Thanks, Worm. Go pick out a picture frame too. I noticed you don't have a picture of your parents in your room."
She grinned. "Thanks, Uncle Sev." She went to join Harry, but turned back. "Worm?"
Snape gave a small smile, ducking his head slightly as he put his hands in his pockets. "Bookworm. You're my little bookworm." She smiled back at him and went to join Harry.
Snape gave the flowered bedding to a salesperson, and went over to the display of quidditch sheets. He selected the proper size and a matching duvet. "Did you both find picture frames?" he asked, walking over to them.
"Yes, sir," Hermione replied, elbowing Harry to be quiet.
"Then I think a couple of posters for Mr. Potter's room and we will be finished."
Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. "But, Professor, I don't need any posters."
"But you shall still have them, like every other boy your age." Harry looked at the ground, seemingly unsure of himself. "What is it, Mr. Potter?" Harry shrugged. "Spit it out."
"I don't want to be a burden."
Snape sighed. "Content yourself with the fact that you are not a burden and pick out some posters."
"But..."
"Now, Mr. Potter." Harry glared up at him. Snape put his hand on the boy's shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting manner. "We'll talk about this later. For now, pick out some posters." As Harry dragged his feet over to the posters section, Snape glanced at Hermione. "Make sure he picks out ones he actually likes, Worm."
As they left the store, Harry couldn't stop stammering his thanks.
oOo
"Mr. Potter," Snape said, once they got back to his quarters, "please join me in the kitchen."
Harry followed Snape into the kitchen, looking like a deer in headlights. "Don't look so nervous, Potter," Snape said. "You haven't done anything wrong." Harry relaxed slightly.
"We need to talk," Snape continued. "This arrangement is less than ideal for both of us, but we have no choice but to make it work." He paused. "For starters, you're going to be with me permanently. You will not be going back to your relatives. I understand that you have largely made your own way in both the Magical and Muggle Worlds so far, but that will end now. I am your guardian, and it is my responsibility to give you a place to live, provide you with food and clothing, take care of your educational needs, and even buy you things you might not need at times."
"Thank you," Harry replied politely. "But I have the money that my parents left me and I can take care of myself. I know I have to stay with you, but I'm not going to be a burden on you."
"You're not a burden, Potter...er, Harry," Snape corrected himself. "You are a child who needs someone to take care of him."
"How am I not a burden? Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon always told me I was and you don't want me."
"I didn't want Hermione either, but now I can't imagine life without her. Your aunt and uncle are idiots. Do not believe anything they've told you. Am I clear?"
"Yes."
Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes what?"
"Yes, sir."
"For the record, my expectations of your behavior have not changed from the school year. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Also, as you are now my ward, we need to find a way to live together. First off, the rules. The rules that Hermione and I came up with together are on the refrigerator." He waited for Harry to read through the rules. "Do you have any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Also, our relationship must change. We are no longer just teacher and student; we are now guardian and ward. We need to get to know each other a bit better. We need to try to get along, if for no other reason than Hermione's sake."
"For Hermione," Harry agreed, surprised that Snape cared enough about her to tolerate him.
"I think the easiest way to start is by dropping the titles we use at school. I will endeavour to call you Harry."
Harry nodded. "What should I call you?"
Snape paused. "You may call me 'Uncle Sev' as Hermione does. But if that's uncomfortable for you, either 'Sev' or 'Severus' is fine for now. When school starts again, it will need to be 'sir' or 'professor' in public."
Harry thought for a moment. ''How about 'Severus'?"
He nodded. "I will ask that you do not antagonize me."
Harry crossed his arms, a mutinous look overcoming his face. "Only if you don't antagonize me."
Snape raised an eyebrow at his tone, but nodded his acquiescence. "Do you have any other questions?"
"No, sir."
"Then we have an agreement?"
"Yes, sir."
Snape held his hand out and Harry shook it. "Now," Snape said, handing Harry the quidditch duvet, ''go put your room together."
"But, sir...er, Severus," Harry stammered, "this isn't the one I picked out." He looked at Snape with a confused, but hopeful, look on his face.
"Do you think that I would allow that abomination in my quarters?" he said sternly.
"N-no, sir, but these were expensive..." He trailed off at the glare Snape gave him.
"I told you to pick out bedding you like. I mean what I say. In the future, if you do not obey me, you will find yourself sleeping in flowers. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Go fix up your room then. Let me know before you put the posters up so I can charm the walls a color for you."
"Really? Thanks, Severus." He dashed away, leaving his professor to remind himself that the boy's happiness meant nothing to him.
...
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