Chapter 5

Harry had been waking up before the sun rose every morning to shower alone so none of his roommates would see his scars and bruises, and the lack of sleep was starting to get to him. On top of that, Snape kept him until curfew every night in detention so by the time he had finished his homework, he was in bed late and awake early the next morning.

By Thursday's detention, he was exhausted, but he had finished his summer homework that afternoon, so he was hoping Snape would let him out of detention for the rest of the week.

"Sit here and continue your assignments," Snape told him when he arrived.

"I'm finished sir." Harry replied.

Snape raised an eyebrow, "With all of it?"

Harry nodded, "Yes sir."

"Very well. Go over to the sink and wash those cauldrons." Professor Snape told him.

Harry sighed.

"Is there a problem Mr. Potter?"

"No sir, I'm sorry. I'm just tired." Harry replied.

"Very well. Get to cleaning."

As Harry Potter cleaned the cauldrons, Severus almost forgot the boy was there. He knew the cauldrons wouldn't get cleaned very well by an 11-year-old boy. It was mostly just busy work to tire him out and teach him some hard work.

If he was honest, he hadn't expected Potter to be able to finish his summer homework by the end of the week, much less to finish it early. He must've worked on it outside his assigned detentions. It was unexpected of the boy and very much unlike his father.

At 9:45 Snape stood and dismissed Potter to go back to his dormitory. Snape inspected the cauldrons after the door closed. 10 out of 12 of the cauldrons were lined up on the table beside the sink, as clean as the day he'd bought them. He blinked in surprise.

He certainly hadn't expected this. Even he couldn't get the grime and stains out of them without magic. Severus knew the boy hadn't used magic because he kept his wand up front with him during detention. Where had the boy learned to clean so well? His muscles must've been sore from all the scrubbing he had to do, but he hadn't so much as complained as he was dismissed for the night.

The following week, Harry Potter was put on the quidditch team. Snape was furious. "Hooch I don't understand how you can say that. He's a first year, it would be completely unfair to the other students. The arrogant little brat doesn't need another ego boost."

"It's a favor that I'm even recommending this Severus." Madame Hooch replied, "The boy is very skilled. He'd be playing for your team after all. You should be thanking me for making this exception. If you'd seen him fly today you'd understand."

"Well I didn't. And I will not allow it." Severus crossed his arms across his chest, "The boy must not get a big head. This certainly would give him one. It's my job to oversee the boy's growth of character."

She sighed, "It's your choice ultimately Severus. If your final word is no, the boy will not play. But you should've seen his face when I told him he could be Slytherin's seeker. The boy was so excited. He looked like he'd never been given a greater gift than being told he was good at something. He's just a boy Severus. Let him have a little fun."

Damn her for making him feel guilty. Professor Snape inhaled deeply, "Fine you horrible woman. Fine. He may play. Under one stipulation, he must come help me in my potions lab once a week to teach the boy the importance of helping."

She smiled.