Sev's and Harry's POVs here! Again, I apologise if the writing is a bit bad. This is an old chapter, but it gets better. This story has already gathered quite a few views ( I am pleasantly surprised!), so I hope ya'll are enjoying it! Also, sorry for any grammar and punctuation mistakes – I try. Again, I promise the chapters get better.

CH.5 - Rules

Harry found it almost a little surreal that he would be having meals with his former, most hated professor at Hogwarts. Not that he was looking forward to it. The air between them was still as tense and stifled as ever, what with their library encounter, history, and dispute at the infirmary a few weeks ago.

However, Harry was adamant at getting more information about his mum out of Snape. It would just take time…And a crap ton of patience and willpower.

Entering the dining hall, Snape was already seated at the head of the long, mahogany table. Harry lingered in the doorway for a minute, feeling a little hesitant. Fortunately, Snape looked up at him at that moment and gestured with his hand towards a seat to his right at the table.

"Well, Mr. Potter?" Snape raised an eyebrow at him. "Unlike you, I possess no desire to shout at each other from across the room."

Harry mentally gave himself a small shake and wordlessly occupied a chair to the right of Snape, keeping a few seats of space between them.

No sooner had he done that, than a plate with silverware appeared in front of both him and Snape. Several dishes filled with salads, mashed potatoes, and meats coloured the table before them, accompanied by pitchers of water and juice.

Harry had to close his gaping mouth when he saw all the food. He was used to the delicious meals at Hogwarts, but he definitely wasn't expecting something of the sort here at the manor.

Heck, he'd even mused over the possibility of Snape starving him.

"Honestly, Potter, one would think you have never seen food," half sneered Snape. "I suggest you eat. We have an agenda-full of things to review, afterwards."

Harry, feeling his cheeks flush a little, started to pile food onto his plate. He didn't eat much, as his appetite hadn't been the best, as of lately. He knew he was skinny for his age, but he really didn't think he was up to stomach a lot of food.

The two ate in silence, Harry oblivious to the curious looks Snape was giving him and his almost empty plate.

As they ate, Severus couldn't help but notice the reluctant way Potter was half eating, half playing with his food. The boy barely had anything on his plate! Was he ill or something? Even he, Severus, who wasn't one to eat a lot, had at least double on his plate of what was on Potter's.

Was the food not to his liking? Severus would've believed this a month ago, perhaps. But now, he wasn't sure.

Since Potter's outburst in the infirmary, Severus had had some time to mull the rant over. Potter had mentioned something about his relatives never having spoiled him, and him not being like his father. Severus would probably have dismissed these claims, were he not a Legilimens.

Though he'd never deny it, Severus actually regretted his biden comment to Potter about what he was doing with him, the greasy git, in the infirmary. Perhaps he'd felt embarrassed? Or irritated? He wasn't sure. The concept of someone willingly talking and keeping him company was foreign to him.

So, Maybe the boy just felt uncomfortable around him, then? Severus couldn't really blame him if that were the case. He, himself, felt likewise. This whole arrangement irked him to no end. But, as he had for the last seventeen years of his life, Severus would have to endure for the sake of his vow to Lily and Albus.

Ever since Severus had recovered from Nagini's bite, he had done his best to avoid Potter. That encounter in the library had been completely coincidental, when he had been in need of a book from the off-limits section. He still couldn't get over the fact that the boy — a Potter — had apologised to him on behalf of James Potter! Severus had accepted the apology, of course, but this seriously shifted his hate-blinded view of the famous Harry Potter

The sight of Potter still left a bitter taste in his mouth. The round spectacles, the unruly mop of hair…And Lily's green eyes, those which Severus had betrayed almost two decades ago with the overheard prophecy, and in his fifth year, when he'd called his best friend that horrendous word.

Furthermore, the knowledge of Potter knowing his deepest secrets was probably the worst of it all. Why Severus had given his memories to the boy that day in the Shrieking Shack, he wasn't sure. It had been such a spontaneous decision, on his part.

But he'd also been sure he was about to die, and figured it wouldn't hurt for Lily's son, who was also destined to die, to know the whole truth — the whole story.

He owed him that much.

And now… Well, it seemed that his duty of protecting the Potter brat wasn't over. And if the two of them were to spend an indefinite amount of time in hiding, they were going to need to set rules in boundaries, so that neither would go insane or twist the other's head off.

They were no longer professor and student, Severus knew, so he could no longer assign him detention, or deduct points from his house. The best he could hope for was cooperation on the boy's part.

Snapping himself from his musings, Seveus decided not to comment on Potter's poor nutrition, and turned his attention back to his own plate.

Once both had finished eating, Severus simply vanished the rest of the food and plates with a flick of his hand. He then rested his hands neatly on the table, steepling his fingers together, and looked at Potter.

"Alright, Potter. Let us go over some ground rules, shall we?" Potter didn't protest. "Now, you are an adult, and thus, I do not see the need to set you a bedtime or monitor whether or not you've skipped breakfast. You are a responsible adult wizard, and I have decided to give you the benefit of the doubt to stay out of trouble and behave accordingly."

Severus paused to judge Potter's reaction before continuing. The boy wore a blank look on his face, and bobbed his head in agreement ever so slightly.

"All rooms in this manor, as well as the grounds and the owlery, are accessible to you. However, by no means are you to venture into my quarters, potions lab, or study — unless you have a death wish, or are on the brink of death itself. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

Potter visibly gulped at Severus's sharp warning tone. "Yes, sir."

Severus continued. "Breakfast is at eight, Lunch is at one, and Dinner is at six. If you skip any of these meals, that is your problem — I am not a nursemaid. I also ask that you keep your room tidy. Nibby has her hands full, as is, and you are completely capable of cleaning up after yourself."

"Of course, sir," Potter gritted out.

Satisfied that he'd gotten his point across, Severus inwardly sighed at what he was about to say next. "Additionally… I would like you to know that, should a need arise for assistance… you may consult me." At Potter's surprised expression, he hastily added, "Of course, if the matter is trivial, and isn't some teenage drama or frivolity. But, at any rate, I will try and be of assistance." Snape's voice grew a little sterner. "But I do expect you to come to me in case of any emergency, especially medical, magical or physical."

Potter nodded again, something that had always irked the Potions Master. "Will you cease with the foolish body gestures!" he snapped. "I require a verbal answer, Potter," he demanded.

The boy visibly contorted with anger and frustration, his blank expression screwing up. Still, it impressed Severus how the boy took a deep breath, and said tightly, "Yes, sir."

Severus smirked. "Very well. I expect you to keep yourself productively busy throughout your stay here. You have free reign of the library, and I will be evaluating what you've learned weekly on the subject of your choice. It is enough that you've missed your whole seventh year at Hogwarts, and do not fall under the impression that I am not aware of your poor sixth-year grades," he drawled.

The boy was mid-nod, but caught himself and parroted the only two words he had spoken all dinner. "Yes, sir."

Having covered pretty much everything, Severus decided they should call it a night. Rising from the table, "You should get some rest then Mr. Potter, as should. As it is around eight, and too early for bed, I suggest you explore the library, or do as you please, for that matter… keeping what we've just gone over in mind, that it."

Potter rubbed his eyes under his glasses tiredly. Severus hadn't even realised just how tired he was until just now. "Actually, sir, I think I might just turn in for the night."

Severus nodded, thinking the same. "As you wish." With that, he spun on his heel, robes billowing dramatically in his wake, and left the room.

Harry followed Snape out of the dining room, and they parted ways on the second landing, both headed to their own rooms. As soon as the door shut behind him, Harry leaned against the doorframe, ran a hand down his face, and groaned.

Even after everything, the git was still a git. Well, at least he hadn't called Harry any of his many, colorful expletives.

But, really, what did Harry expect? So far, that was the most civil, one on one conversation they had ever had, despite Snape having done most of the talking.

The man's rules were reasonable, Harry supposed, except for the 'weekly evaluation' part of it.

Was Snape still in a position to act as his professor? Harry wasn't sure whether the dour Potion's Master would be returning to teach at hogwarts, but Harry knew he would be returning for his seventh year, along with Hermione.

Still, if Snape let him pick any subject or topic of his choice, Harry would make the most of this opportunity to study DADA. He knew the ex-Death Eater was a very powerful and knowledgeable wizard, only a fool would question it. So, even if Harry would have to endure his snarky demeanor and remarks, he would still make an effort to learn as much as he could.

Besides, he was starting to rethink his earlier passion of becoming an Auror.

Seven years of saving the whole bloody wizarding world had been enough, thank you very much.

And, right now, McGonagall's offer of taking up the DADA post sounded very preferable to him.

Harry took a quick bath, tossed on some pajamas, and took out his wand. He pointed it straight at his door, and cast a silencing spell, not wanting to wake Snape with his screaming in the middle of the night from nightmares.

The situation would be horrifying, and Harry really didn't want to deal with a grouchy Severus Snape in the middle of the night. Perhaps he would ask for some Dreamless Sleep tomorrow?

But no — it might lead to Snape questioning him. I guess I can go without it for now, Harry thought to himself, before collapsing on his comfortable bed with at least a hundred pillows on it.

His last thoughts were of Ron and Hermione. He would have to ask Snape if he could borrow an owl. Harry was sure he would go insane from living under one roof with Snape without any outside contact with his friends.

There's chapter 5! I'm sorry if Snape's a bit OOC, but since Harry's conversation with him in the infirmary, Snape's views have shifted a bit regarding Harry.

Also, please review - I would really appretiate it. I'll post the next chapter tomorow (I'm going to do some heavy editing to it). Chapter 6 coming tomorow! Also, I have no plans whatsoever in abandoning this story, as I know a lot of other authors tend to (I really hate that because those stories are ususally the good ones *pain*)

Please Review!