As Harry was lost in thoughts Snape broke the silence the slightly uncomfortable silence
" So Potter , from my perspective you have exactly two options chess or catan ?"
Harry's eyes grow big his potion master asked him what ? The slimy dungeon bat wanted to play with him ? He had to tell that one Ron , oh wait Ron hates him , lost his first friend . Shaking his head in an effort to ignore the painful thoughts .
" catan would be nice sir " he said with a small smile " but I am afraid you will have to explain it to me , never played it before "
Snape rolled his eyes but without the sternness they usually held in the classroom ." Of course Potter , I would never expect something else " and so the spend the next hour peacefully playing , not talking more that necessary until the door opened slightly and Matthew came in looking tired taking a seat next too Harry on the bed .
" I'm really sorry to disturb to game , especially as it loos like Harry is about to win , but I would like to run a diagnostic "
" it does not look like like he is about to win! " Snape said totally ignoring his brother request to pause to game .
Matthew turned to Harry " you have to know , Harry , that our Sev here gets really grumpy when he losses "
"I DO NOT , that is a lie ! " Snape says nearly before remembering his reputation " and regardless I hardly no one beats me "
" maybe I should let you win sir , I wouldn't want for you to be distressed " Harry said with a small , almost Slytherin like , smirk .
" Potter listen to me , if I ever catch you not using your full potential you will serve detention with me every night until you are of age , understood ?" At this statement Matthew couldn't hold back anymore and broke out laughing " you two are really amusing together , I will have to share the memory with dad later"
Harry took a good look at the the game in front of him and it's a slight pout turned to Matthew " Matthew could you please give us five more minutes then we will be done ?"
Not being able to say no to Harry Matthew responded with " okay okay I am going to change first but then we will be talking about what happened "
As Matthew re entered he noticed that Sev had a victorious smirk on his face as he and Harry put the game away a clear indication that he had won . Matthew took a minute to remember how he would play with sev for hours in silence in that first summer they became a family . He took a step into the room " so Harry now that you finished lets have a look " he took a sit next to Harry on the bed and performed some diagnostic spells silently , searching for any additional damage .
" looks good , the potions are still in your system so you will spend some more time in our charming presence "
" thats fine , thanks Matthew , can we play again ?" Harry responded , the smallest pout and puppy dog eyes visible when he poked from Matthew to Severus .
" of course we can play Harry , sev prepare the board " And with that the 3 'brothers' spend a few hours of bonding time mostly in silence playing countless board games , mostly muggle , and eating cookies that Bibi brought them together with tea . About 7 o'clock a letter appeared out of thin air in the middle of monopoly, in less than a second Snape had his wand checking to see if the letter was safe to open . A moment later he gave it to Harry , who with trembling hands opened it when he saw it was from Hermione .
HARRY JAMES POTTER ,
DONT YOU DARE BELIEVING WHAT RON SAID . I will forever be your friend and you did nothing wrong , headmaster Dumbeldore just came and explained what happened , he was quite angry . I have seen him like that , he thought I had said those terrible things to Ron , but Harry believe me I would never it was so hard to leave you in the infirmary but the professors al said you would be okay . Please do not listen to that terrible things Ron said your parents would be more than proud about the person you are becoming and yes I am sure because that is exactly how I am feeling , not letting them kill Peter was the right decision at the moment and everything that happened after was out of our hands . Ron is just a spoiled child with the emotional range of a teaspoon , his action only show that he not our friend and nothing more . Headmaster Dumbeldore is still here and will send the letter immediately to you , he also said that I can visit you if you would like to , maybe next week ? I would really like to see for myself that you are alright , and don't worry he explained where you spend your summer ad I fully support your new family , it was time you someone takes you away from that ' family ' of yours , who knows maybe you can concentrate this summer more on your homework ! I can help if you want of course , and I feel like I am rambling again sorry . Don't forget Harry it was not your fault , you are my best friend and nothing will change it : not a troll , not a stone , not a poly juice potion , not a basilisk and definitely not a red head with no table manners !
please take care of yourself and write back ,
your friend Hermione .
After he had read through the letter twice tears where rolling down his cheeks , he really loved his friend , she always knew what to say to make him feel better . A gentle hand touched his arm before he saw Matthew concerned and Snapes curious gaze .
" Harry can you tell us what the letter said " he tried to answer but it was hard throw the tears " its fine Potter , would it be easier if you just showed us the letter ?" Snape Sid in an unusually soft voice . Harry just gave them the letter and took some deep breaths in an effort to calm himself down .
" it looks like miss Granger is going to earn a lot of points in the next year , she really is a remarkable bright witch " Harry had to smile at that comment ." Yeah mione really is the best , do you really think that she may be able to come over ?"
It was Matthew who answered this time " if dad said she can them I am sure he meant it , I am curious to meet her myself . And Harry it really was not your fault and that Ron will be dealt with , probably already is by dad "
" I know I am just so relieved that she still wants to be my friend , she and Ron where my first friends and it looks like it is only the 2 of us now , maybe we will be able to go to the library together and talk about books now without Ron saying it is boring " Yes he thought abbé I was not that bad , he always felt closer to mione , like she could understand him better than Ron . He just hoped the twins and Ginny would still want to talk to him .