Hello everyone! I'm sorry this took so long. Life has been quite busy. I hope all is well with all of you, no matter where you are. Just so you know, the next couple of chapters are going to focus more on Harry than Hermione. Right now, the story needs him established as a character and in his relationship with both Hermione and Snape. Bear with me, there will be more Hermione and Snape scenes in the future. Have a great week!

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"Can I go flying?" Harry asked after breakfast a few days later.

"Not today."

"But Severus..."

Snape held up a hand, stopping Harry's protest. "I have to go to some meetings outside of Hogwarts today. If something were to happen, it would be much more difficult to get a hold of me than if I were here."

"But I'm a good flyer."

"That's not the point. Besides, don't you still have summer homework to do?"

"School doesn't start for another month."

"If you get it out of the way now, you won't have it hanging over your head the rest of the summer."

"But..."

Harry was cut off by Hermione's elbow. "It's not worth it," she hissed. Harry fell silent.

"Right then," Snape said. "Harry, you'll start working on your assignments this morning."

"But..."

"They're not that bad," Hermione offered. "I'll help you."

"As long as helping doesn't mean doing it for him, that's fine," Snape said. He stood up. "I'll see you two later then. If I'm not back by twelve-thirty, go over to Aunt Min's." He left the room without waiting for an acknowledgement.

oOo

"This is so boring, Hermione," Harry whined from the coffee table where he was working on his History of Magic essay. Hermione looked up over the top of her book. "How do you stay awake in this class anyway?"

"I take a lot of notes," she replied, going back to her book.

"C'mon, can't you write just this one eensy, weensy essay for me?"

"No, it's not worth it."

Harry pondered the phrase "it's not worth it" for a moment. Hermione had whispered it to him countless times over the past few days, to stop him from arguing with Snape. And probably saving my hide a few times, he grudgingly admitted to himself. "Why do you keep saying 'it's not worth it'? What's Snape really gonna do? What can he really do? It's summer. It's not like he can take points away or give us detention."

"He's our guardian now, so he can punish us as he sees fit. Trust me, it's not worth it."

"What did he actually do?" he asked worriedly, pulling her book down to see her pink face. "Hermione?"

She sighed and marked her place in her book. She told him about her summer with Snape up until Harry had joined them.

"Wow, Hermione," he said when she finished. "I didn't know you had it in you."

Hermione blushed, uncertain if she was pleased or not. She looked up at the clock. "It's twelve thirty. We should head over to Aunt Min's."

oOo

After lunch, Harry finished his essay while Hermione moved on to yet another Young Founders novel. She found she was truly enjoying the series. She had even checked out the first book of the series and left it on Harry's bedside table for him, hoping that he would start reading them too.

After another hour, Harry blotted his essay and rolled up the parchment. "Done," he said triumphantly. Hermione glanced up before burying her head back in her book.

What am I going to do now? he asked himself. The book that Hermione had left on his nightstand was good, but he had just spent almost the entire day reading and writing. He went into his room, tossed his essay on his desk, and flopped down on the bed, staring longingly out the charmed window that looked out on to the quidditch pitch. He itched to go outside. Why can't I fly just because Snape isn't here? he wondered. It doesn't make sense. The more he thought about it, the more unfair it seemed, and the more upset he got. Aunt Min is still here! With that final thought, Harry grabbed his Nimbus 2000 and went to leave to go to the quidditch pitch.

Hermione's eyes widened when she saw Harry carrying his broom. "Harry!" she exclaimed, "you can't go flying! Uncle Sev said not to!"

"So?" Harry said. "He's never cared what I've done before."

"But he's going to now that you're living with him."

"I doubt it." He turned to leave.

Hermione grabbed his arm. "But Harry..."

"Geroff, Hermione!" he shouted, yanking his arm back. Hermione let go, biting her lip and blinking back tears. A look of remorse passed over his face. "I'll see you later, okay?" he said a little more gently. He left the quarters.

oOo

As he pushed off the ground, his anger melted away. He did a loop-the-loop and felt the wind rush through his hair. He hadn't felt this free in a long time. He had flown the day before, but Snape had been there, watching his every move. But now, no one was here to stop him from trying out new tricks or barking at him to fly lower. Now, he was alone with his thoughts.

"Harry James Potter!" The shout startled him from his reverie. Snape, his sallow face filled with rage, stood on the quidditch pitch below him. "Get down here now." He enunciated each word clearly, his tone leaving no room for disobedience.

Harry landed his broom and apprehensively walked over to Snape, Hermione's earlier words playing over and over in his head. He grabbed Harry's upper arm roughly and leaned over to eye level. "I thought I told you no flying today, boy," Snape hissed.

Suddenly, all Harry could see was Uncle Vernon. He did the first thing he could think of; he ran. Harry ran as fast as he could, unable to hear the shouts of his name behind him. He kept running until he slammed into something solid.

"Harry!" Hagrid exclaimed. "What're yeh doing 'ere? I thought Professor Snape would keep Hermione and yeh in his quarters, while he was away at his meeting?"

"I tried to, Hagrid," Snape said, catching his breath as he came up behind Harry. "But Harry seemed to have other plans. Come along, Harry." He gently tried to tug Harry away by the arm, but Harry just clung to Hagrid more tightly, looking up at him with fear in his eyes.

Hagrid glanced between Harry and Snape before seeming to come to a decision. "Professor, why don't yeh leave Harry with me for a bit and I'll bring 'im back up to the castle later?"

Snape stared at Hagrid for a moment before answering. "Very well." He turned to Harry. "I expect to see you for dinner at six thirty." Harry nodded. "A verbal answer please."

"Yes, sir," Harry whispered.

"I'll have him back by then," Hagrid assured Snape.

"Thank you," Snape replied, turning around and heading back to the castle.

Hagrid guided Harry to his hut. Fang put his head in Harry's lap as soon as he sat down and Harry absently scratched him behind the ears. Hagrid placed a steaming mug of tea in front of Harry. "Why are yeh so scared of Professor Snape?" Hagrid asked him bluntly. "What happened?" Harry shrugged. "Did anything happen this morning?"

"He told me to start on my homework," Harry replied. "And that I couldn't go flying."

Hagrid nodded. "So what happened after that?"

"I went flying anyway and Severus caught me."

He nodded again. "All righ'. I figured that much out. But why are yeh so scared? Yeh've been in trouble with Professor Snape before."

"It was something in the way he said it. He reminded me of Uncle Vernon and I got scared and ran."

"Why did he remind yeh of your uncle?"

"He called me 'boy' and yanked on my arm."

"I'm sure he didn't mean to sound like yer uncle."

"But he promised he wouldn't be like them!" He flopped back in his chair, crossing his arms, and glaring at the table.

Hagrid looked hard at Harry. "Look at me, Harry." Hagrid said firmly. Harry glanced up, surprised by Hagrid's tone. "Professor Snape is a good man."

"But Hermione told me what happened when he punished her earlier this summer, and..."

"Did she tell yeh why she got punished?" Hagrid interrupted, his voice even firmer than before. Harry nodded. "So yeh know she deserved it then." Harry nodded again. "Do yeh think he was unfair?" Harry shook his head. "Do yeh think he will be unfair to yeh?"

Harry thought for a moment. Snape had been fair to him—at least since he had come to the castle-despite being horribly unfair during the school year. But he seemed to be putting in an effort the past few days. "No," he replied softly.

"How has Professor Snape been since you moved in with him?"

Harry shrugged. "Not too bad. We've kind of been staying out of each other's way. And Hermione's stopped me from arguing with him. He was real nice about the stuff for my room though." Harry's face flushed at the memory. He suddenly felt very guilty for disobeying him and stared at the table again.

Hagrid nodded, softening his tone. ''C'mon. We should probably get yeh back to the castle."

oOo

"Do yeh want me to come in with yeh?" Hagrid asked when they were outside Snape's quarters.

Harry shook his head. "No. I'll be okay. Thanks, Hagrid." He gave him a hug. Hagrid returned it.

"All righ'. I'll see yeh later."

"Bye, Hagrid." Harry gave the password at went into the quarters. He put his broom away and went into the living room, looking for Snape and Hermione. The door to Snape's private lab was open and Harry could see them talking and laughing as they bottled a potion together. He wasn't willing to admit it, but deep down he wanted someone to care for him the way Snape seemed to care for Hermione.

Snape looked up and saw Harry leaning against the door. "Harry," he said, his tone surprised, "I didn't realize it was six thirty already. I have to go pick up our dinners at the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione, can you finish up here?"

"Yes, sir," she replied.

"All right." He turned to Harry. "Why don't you rest in your room for a bit? I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Yes, sir." He turned to go to his room as Snape flooed to the Leaky Cauldron.

...

Please review! Have a great week!