Disclaimer: The characters and settings, including any sentences taken directly or partly from the books or movies, of Harry Potter are the property of J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, AOL Time Link and Warner Brothers. I do not make money from publishing my story.

It was becoming quite a common occurrence for Severus to carry his unconscious student to a bed. Strangely enough he did not particularly mind. The young man was growing on him and slowly he began loving Harry's determined and headstrong spirit.

Though it had appeared that he wasn't the only one who was appreciating Harry's presence. The Dark Lord too had grown tolerant enough of the young man to even educate him in the old ways. Even though, it wasn't something Severus would have encouraged, as these kinds of magic often had the capability to permanently harm or even kill the caster.

Laying Harry down on the bed he sat down on the nearby chair. Some of his Lord's words rang clear in his mind as he was staring as his student, "Caring is for the weak." While he could sympathise with that statement, he felt it was already much too late. The protectiveness, and dare he say it fondness, he felt for the boy had only grown.

Harry woke up the next morning feeling disorientated as the last he could remember was performing the ritual with Voldemort and feeling the magic tingling in his hands and arms. The next thing he knows is waking up in his own bed.

A note on his nightstand told him he had passed out after the ritual and that Severus had to leave him to brew some potions, though if he wanted to join for lunch he was welcome to do so. Looking at the clock he noticed it was nearly one o'clock and he would have to hurry to be presentable. Getting dressed and hiding the locket underneath his clothing quickly. Harry was quickly downstairs and seated at the table, though joining Severus, the Dark Lord, the Lestrange brothers and the Malfoy couple for lunch.

"You have a letter", Severus said as he handed him the sealed parchment, by now Harry was certain that any of his mail was checked and likely Severus had already read the letter. However, that didn't bother Harry as much as it used to. Finishing he tea quickly he opened the letter, quickly identifying Hermione's neat handwriting.

Dear Harry,

I hope all is well. Though I heard from Tonks how you managed to stand up for yourself. I am proud of you, though I wish it didn't get you into too much trouble.

I have really been enjoying classes this year. The professors have given us many interesting assignments. However, I must admit that Hogwarts feels weird without you here, Harry. Ron and I really miss you. We hoped to see you at the station on September 1st, but sadly you were not.

I hope that your quarrel with Dumbledore is not the reason you are missing important schooling, though I can understand that your situation would prevent you from attending Hogwarts. If it is your own choice, I would urge you to reconsider.

I really miss you, Harry!

~Love,

Hermione

"My lord", Harry said, for the first time using the man's preferred salutation, "I would like to thank you for your hospitality. However, I think that not resuming my studies at Hogwarts is a grave mistake. Therefore, I would like your permission to take Severus on a trip to shop for my schoolbooks and other supplies."

Awaiting the outburst the man was likely going to have, Harry kept his eyes locked on the Dark Lord. Placing the tea he had been holding back onto the table, the Dark Lord stood up, a dangerous glint in his eyes, while they were focused on Harry. It took two long strides for the man to cross the distance and be within arm's reach of the student.

Harry had expected many reactions, however he was unprepared for the Dark Lord to hit him in the face. His head was slapped to the side and a stinging sensation was what was left on his cheek. However, Harry was not about to let himself be intimidated into submission.

"You are mine, you insolent brat", Voldemort sneered, while one of his pale cheeks went red to match the hand-shaped bruise that was forming on Harry's face, "I decided you will not go to Hogwarts and that is final!"

"I am not your property to do with as you please!", Harry shouted standing up aggressively and shoving his chair back in the process, after making sure he had made eye contact with the man again. Harry's raised voice motivated the other occupants at the table to rise and in most cases train their wand on the student.

"Leave us", the Dark Lord commanded. After which all people, with exception of Severus and Harry, left the room, albeit reluctantly. A quick glance at his former spy had the Dark Lord believing he would have a battle on his hands should he force Severus away now.

"I will not be spoken to in such a despicable manner", the Dark Lord said, continuing his rant, "I am your Lord, whether it pleases you or not. You will not question my decisions in public again!"

"I just don't see the use of me staying here!", Harry said which was followed by a frustrated sigh, "Yes, Dumbledore may try to kill me for the Horcrux, but being locked in here I might as well be dead!"

He took a deep breath to calm himself, before continuing, "I don't mean to be ungrateful, my Lord. I just disagree with the notion that being here surrounded by Death Eaters would necessarily be safer that at Hogwarts. Of course, I will be within Dumbledore's reach, but there will be many a teacher delighted to have me at Hogwarts again. In turn, I may even succeed in convincing some of the students to remain neutral in the war."

"I do not like to repeat myself, boy. Regardless of your reasons, I will not allow you to question my authority nor my decisions in public. If you have any objections to my plans, you should voice them in private", the Dark Lord said. While he had not raised his voice, the underlying threat was undeniable.

"Despite the fact that even I cannot deny that having you at Hogwarts might be beneficial. I will only allow it on several conditions".

Harry hoped that by bringing Severus with him to Diagon Alley, it would support the cover story surrounding Harry's disappearance. They had kept the story as close to truth as possible, stating that Harry had come into Severus' care to save him from Voldemort, which could be supported by the people that witnessed the attack in Spinner's End.

"We should make our way to Flourish and Blotts", Severus said, noticing his student had slowed down. In contrast to Harry, he was hyper-aware of their surroundings and was trying to complete their business in the Alley as fast as possible.

"Yeah, you're probably right", Harry said, while still somewhat lost in thought. A few quick steps had him catching up to the Potions Master, before he lost himself in his thoughts again.

Harry was feeling anxious about their trip to the Alley. It was part of their plan to be noticed by either the Ministry or the Daily Prophet, as it would ensure that word would spread about Severus' innocence. However, it could also mean Harry would be mobbed by a crowd as soon as their presence was noticed.

Their first destination was the bookstore, as they should at least attempt to purchase Harry's school supplies while they were at it. The cashier gave them a strange look, but said nothing as they continued their way. It seemed that Severus' permanent scowl was keeping the public from approaching Harry, which suited the both of them just fine.

Despite Severus' reluctance they agreed to end their shopping spree with a visit to the Weasley twins' shop. Severus would have gladly stayed outside, while Harry spoke with his friends, but leaving him alone anywhere was risky, since it had been quite a while since they had entered the Alley.

"Harry, our favourite new school drop-out!", both twins said excitedly as they approached him and Severus. The twins were dressed in brightly coloured suits, the one purple and the other green, fit with polka-dotted bow-ties, their faces graced with wide grins. "Professor", they greeted Severus politely, before returning their attention to his younger companion.

"We heard you'd been kidnapped by the Dungeon Bat -", Fred said, before turning back to Severus for a moment, who remained quiet, "No offense, Professor."

" - delivered to England's newly risen Dark Lord, everyone claimed!", George jumped in, before Harry could answer.

"Well, obviously I am in Snape's care, otherwise he would never have willingly joined me on this shopping trip", Harry started, careful to avoid using the man's given name, "But clearly it isn't to hand me over to Voldemort. Also, would we be here if I was hostage to either Voldemort or Snape?!"

"Truly right, dear friend", George said, before moving the four of them to the back into the office, where they were allowed to continue their conversation in peace.

"I hope you understand we've been asked to tell the Order everything we hear about possible sightings for either of you", George said, showing Harry and Snape to a chair. Fred waved his wand and summoned a tray with cups and a teapot, before offering each of his guest a cup of tea.

Severus declined the offer politely, before answering George, "We would not be here, if it was our intention to remain hidden, would we Mr Weasley." Despite the lack of venom in Severus' voice, it did somewhat diminish George's goofy smile.

"Very right, Professor", Fred said, not nearly as affected as his twin. Fred poured three cups, before handing one to Harry and George. "That doesn't mean we can't first have a meeting with our secret investor."

"Thanks, Fred", Harry said, taking a sip from the tea before addressing both twins, "How is everyone? Hermione send me a letter, but I think some of my mail must have gotten lost."

"Mum is worried sick of course.", George said, "She has been trying particularly hard to fatten us up and is practically begging us to move in back home instead of living above the shop."

"Dad is worried as well", Fred continued, "but at least he lets us join in on the Order meetings, as mum is still not pleased with that. Bill has been going back and forth between here and Egypt and Charlie as well. They're both very busy, but healthy. And I suppose at the moment there is no safer place to be for Ron and Ginny than Hogwarts."

"True, so how has business been going?", Harry asked, just before the fireplace behind them lit up in green light. Severus's battle hardened reflexes had him almost throwing down his cup onto the nearest surface. In the same movement he was also able to draw his wand and aim it at the fiery centrepiece. Harry too was able to draw his wand and place down his drink. Albeit, somewhat less fluent in motion than his companion.

Despite knowing the numerous protections around their Floo, the twins also grasped onto their wands, but remained more or less calm. Especially when they saw the man who had appeared in amidst the green fire.

"I assumed that the new Minister would be too preoccupied to make simple house calls, Kingsley", Severus said as soon as he had identified the man.

"And I had thought that a hunted man would be more reserved concerning entering enclosed spaces", Kingsley fired back, without hardly missing a beat. "Then again, can you truly be prey when you are in fact luring people in to take the bait?" Despite the superficial familiarity though neither man had lowered his wand.

"If you both would care to accompany me to Headmaster Dumbledore's office", Kinsley said to change the subject to the real reason he was there. Harry looked over his shoulder to the twins, but they looked to be just as surprised as Severus and he were.

Momentarily it crossed Harry's mind to put up a fight and try to run again, but honestly was it not their intention all along to get Dumbledore's attention and get him to strike a deal. They just hadn't expected the Headmaster to be in on it so soon.