Hello everyone! Sorry for the confusion before. Here's the real chapter. Enjoy!

Harry's week dragged on for everyone involved, but left their quarters extremely clean. To Snape's surprise, Harry did not complain about his punishment at all, although his frustration was palpable. Eventually, the week ended, much to everyone's relief.

Snape set dinner on the table and called Harry and Hermione to the table. They stopped talking as soon as they came in the room and started eating silently.

After a few minutes of silence, Snape looked at them. "Why so quiet?" he asked.

"It's nothing," Harry replied quickly.

"Harry," Hermione said, rolling her eyes, "the worst he can say is 'no'."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Out with it."

"Uncle Sev, we were wondering if we could have Ron over tomorrow?"

Two pairs of eyes looked up at him hopefully. Can I handle the entire trio? he wondered to himself. He looked at their pleading eyes again, unable to deny Lily in Harry's eyes. I don't really have a reason to say "no." He looked at them again. "If Mrs. Weasley is all right with it, he may come over."

"Thank you!" Harry and Hermione replied together with matching grins.

After dinner, Harry and Hermione Floo-called Ron and gleefully told Snape that he would be coming over the next morning.

oOo

"Hi, Harry!" Ron said, coming out of the Floo. "Hi, Hermione!" He was immediately engulfed by Hermione giving him a hug. "Look, Harry," Ron said, holding a broom out. "George lent me his broom. Can we go flying?"

Harry grinned and looked over at Snape. "Severus, can we go flying?"

"I don't know," Snape drawled. "Can you?" Harry made a face. Snape smirked. "You may. But no wild stunts, feints, or tricks. If you do, you can kiss your broom good-bye until school starts. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, no doubt in his mind that Snape would follow through on his threat. "Mr. Weasley, this goes for you too. Any tricks, stunts, or feints and I won't hesitate to let your mother know. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," Ron replied, gulping.

"All right then. Get going." Harry ran to his room to get his broom.

oOo

A few hours later, Harry, Hermione, and Ron returned to the quarters, soaking wet. Snape looked at them impassively. "At least you know enough to come in out of the rain." He performed a drying spell on each of them before sitting down to lunch.

oOo

The shrieks coming from the bed sheet fort made Snape jump again. He pinched the bridge of his nose. The fort had been Hermione's suggestion. Most Wizard children didn't make forts growing up and he had been pretty sure that Harry had never had the chance to build one growing up. He smirked, remembering the look of pure shock on Ron's face as he provided them with the required sheets and blankets. Another shriek made him wince again. He knelt down at the entrance to the fort. ''How about hot chocolate and Exploding Snap?" he suggested. Anything to make the shrieking stop, he told himself.

oOo

"Thanks, Professor Snape," Ron said. "I had a great time." He turned to Harry and Hermione. "I'll see you guys the night before school starts?"

"Of course, mate," Harry said as Hermione nodded vigorously.

Ron threw the Floo Powder into the fireplace and spun away.

oOo

A few days later, Snape, Hermione, and Harry Flooed to the Leaky Cauldron to buy supplies for the upcoming school year.

"Severus, "Harry said, as they passed Gringotts. "We need to stop at Gringotts."

"No, we don't," Snape replied. "I have all the gold we need."

"But I need to get some."

"No you don't. As your guardian, I will take care of your school expenses."

"But..."

"No, Harry. This is not up for discussion. You never should have had to pay for your supplies last year." Harry bit his lip, but stopped talking and followed along silently.

They came to Slug and Jiggers Apothecary. "You two, go get what you need to replenish your supplies," Snape said as they stepped inside. "I have to stock up on my own supplies as well as check on the order for the school's inventory." Hermione nodded and went off to gather her ingredients.

"Um, Severus?'' Harry said tentatively.

"What is it, Harry?"

"I'm not quite sure what I'm low on."

"Did you look before we left like I asked you to?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. "I forgot."

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. "Get some Standard Ingredient, mistletoe berries, snake fangs, nettles, and lacewing flies. If there's anything else you need, you can send for it by owl later."

''Yes, sir." He went to get his supplies.

Half an hour later, they walked to the quill shop, their bags shrunk in their pockets.

''I'm sure you both need some new quills and more ink," Snape said. "Go pick some out. I'll get the parchment."

Hermione pulled five standard quills in various colors from a container and stopped to admire a purple self-inking quill. She turned it over in her hands, looking at the small container that held the ink.

"You can get it if you like, Worm," Snape said, coming up behind her and putting a hand on her shoulder. ''They're quite useful for writing essays."

"Really?" Hermione said.

"Sure. Just so long as you get a quill box too. I don't want it getting broken in your bag."

"I have a quill box. But thank you." She paused for a moment. ''Uncle Sev?"

"Mmm?"

"Can I get the red one instead?"

Snape gave her a small smile. "Of course." He paused for a moment. "Do you think Harry would want one?''

"Maybe," she replied. "But he's not exactly a big fan of essay writing."

Snape's expression darkened for a moment. I'll have to fix that, he thought. He turned back to Hermione. "Which color?"

"Green. It's his favorite."

Snape nodded as he selected it. "Please go make sure that Harry has gotten at least five standard quills. And both of you need a second color of ink for editing."

"What color?"

"Whatever you like so long as you can see it."

As Hermione went off to find Harry, Snape wandered over to the quill boxes and pulled one off the top rack. He discreetly handed it to the clerk. He walked over to Harry and Hermione, who stood with quills in hand.
"Why do we need two colors of ink?" Harry asked him.
"So you can see what edits need to be made to your essays before you copy them over," he replied.
"I don't usually edit my essays."
"That explains a lot." He wiped a hand over his face. "I'll teach you how to properly edit an essay. We can start with your potions essay for this summer."
"But..."
Snape cut him off. "This is not a discussion. This is something that you will do. We will talk later about my expectations for you in school." Harry glared at Snape's back as he went to pay for their things.

oOo

"You may each choose two books in addition to your schoolbooks," Snape said as they walked into Flourish and Blotts
"Really?" Hermione exclaimed. "Thanks, Uncle Sev." She darted off to go find books for herself.
"Severus…" Harry started to say.

Snape held his hand up. "I don't want to hear it, Harry. Learning comes from places other than school. Go pick out two extra books. Get something you'll enjoy."
Harry grinned. "Thank you!" He wandered over to the fiction section.
An hour later, they left Flourish and Blotts with their schoolbooks, as well as their pleasure reading, heading for Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

"Severus," a man with long, blond hair said, lifting his hand in greeting.
"Lucius," Snape nodded to him.
Lucius peered down his nose at Hermione and Harry. "Who do we have here?"
"These are my wards, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." He glanced at the children. "Harry, Hermione, this is Mr. Malfoy."
"Nice to meet you, sir," Hermione said, extending her hand. Lucius curled his lip in disgust. Hermione timidly pulled her hand back.
"A mudblood, Severus?" Lucius asked disdainfully. "And the Potter boy? One might think you a blood traitor."
Snape smirked. "While true, they wouldn't be in a place to know what I know. Hermione, here, is top of her year." He placed a hand on Hermione's head followed by one on Harry's. "And Potter has the potential to be a fine ally." Both children stared at Snape, confused expressions on their faces.
Lucius quirked an eyebrow up, a smile playing at his lips. "I see. I will have to keep an eye on these two. Good day, Severus." He nodded to the children. "Hermione, Harry."
"Good day, "Snape replied.
As soon as Lucius who was out of earshot, Harry turned on Snape. "Who am I a potential ally for?" he asked
"Not now, "Snape replied. "I will explain when we get home."
Harry stood in front of Snape, blocking his path. "No. I want to know."
''Not now." Snape's voice took on a firm edge.

"But..."

Snape sighed. ''Harry, do you trust me to keep you safe?"
Harry paused for a moment. "Yes," he admitted grudgingly.
"Then please trust me enough to tell you later." Snape stepped to the side and continued walking. ''I thought we were going for ice cream?" he called back. The children glanced at each other before hurrying to catch up.

oOo

"Now will you tell me who I'll make a good ally for?" Harry asked they stepped out of the fireplace.
Snape nodded. He gestured for them to sit down. "During the war, I was a spy for Professor Dumbledore. Do you both know what Death Eaters are?"
"They were Voldemort's followers," Hermione said immediately.
Snape nodded. "Correct. I was..."
"You think I'll be a good ally for Voldemort?'' Harry exploded. "He killed my parents! I'll never..."
"Do not shout at me, young man, "Snape snapped. Harry glared at him. "Now sit down and let me finish what I was telling you." Harry plopped back down, arms crossed over his chest. ''As I was saying, I was a spy for Professor Dumbledore and had to pretend to be a Death Eater. Mr. Malfoy was a Death Eater. As you're both aware, Professor Dumbledore does not believe that the Dark Lord is gone forever. He thinks that the Dark Lord will return sometime in the future. Mr. Malfoy still thinks that I am a Death Eater and I needed to tell him something to explain why I am guardian to the boy who caused the Dark Lord to disappear and a muggleborn. I need him to think that there is a greater plan involved."
"So, you want him to think that you're raising us to be allies to Voldemort?" Hermione said slowly.
"Yes."
"I'm not going to be Voldemort's ally," Harry mumbled into his crossed arms.
"I don't expect you to be," Snape replied calmly. "I expect you to play along for now though. You too, Hermione.''
Harry glowered at Snape. "I won't pretend."
Snape looked hard at Harry. "Do you understand that if the Dark Lord returns that he will expect me to turn you over to him? Do you understand that if people like Mr. Malfoy think that I am raising you to eventually join the Dark Lord that they may be able to help me convince him to leave you alone while you are still a child? Are you unable to get it through your thick skull that this is a way to keep you safe?"

Harry dropped his gaze. "I'll do my best."

Snape nodded. "Go put your things away." As Harry and Hermione stood up to leave, Snape passed a small package to Harry.

He opened it. Inside was the quill box that Snape had selected earlier. He smiled at design, a snitch on a blue background. "What's this for?" he asked.

"Just something I thought you could use for school. Open the box."

Harry opened it and saw the green self-inking quill. "Severus..."

"It will make doing your homework easier. I expect you to use that box. I don't want to be buying you new quills every two weeks." His voice took on its usual sarcastic tone.

Harry smiled up at him. "Thank you."

Snape pat his shoulder roughly. "Go put your things away. We can talk about school another time."

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