A/N: I am posting this on schedule despite working today, and by the end of today, it will be just shy of 56 hours this week. Please make my week a little easier by leaving good feedback!

"What's she like?" Harry asked, standing still in front of the mirror.

"I don't know, as I've yet to meet the girl," Severus replied, patiently, as he tried to comb out Harry's hair. "All right. I dare say your hair is as tidy as it will get."

He said the last bit with a smile, and then put the comb down.

"But you know her mum?" Harry pressed, turning from the mirror to look at him.

"Her aunt," Severus corrected, gently. "Like you, both her mum and dad were killed for opposing the Dark Lord. As well as a great deal of her extended family. Susan was raised by her Aunt Amelia, who, I am certain, is a far better aunt than yours was."

"That's good." Harry let out a breath. "So, it's just Susan and her aunt, then? No uncle or cousins or anything like that?"

"Yes. The Dark Lord's reign left many families without parents, siblings...it was a dark time for many who opposed him, as well as many who simply were in the way. Death Eaters and other supporters killed and tortured people without cause. Muggles, too. Your aunt and uncle ought to have celebrated his downfall, and your entry into their lives." Severus shook his head. "But today ought not be about that. Oh, you can ask Susan questions, of course, but not..."

"I know, Dad." Harry nodded. "I mean, I wouldn't want people asking me about the night my parents died, right when they first met me."

"Some will, I expect," Severus cautioned, "but it certainly isn't very polite."

They were going to meet at Amelia Bones's house, which meant side along Apparition. Harry wasn't looking forward to that. But the only other option was to travel by Floo, and Severus didn't think Harry would like that any better. Harry agreed. Traveling by entering a fireplace just sounded scary. At least, he knew what to expect with Apparition.

Not that it was any fun. He didn't throw up, thanks to a mint candy his dad gave him once he had his breath back. Which took several minutes. His dad rubbed his back in a soothing way until Harry felt like himself, and when the mint hit his tongue, it was almost like a magic pill (or potion) that made him feel better. He gave his dad a grateful smile.

"Thank you," he said, finishing up the candy. "I'm all right, now."

"I'm glad. Soon enough, you won't notice anything," Severus promised. "Ready to go in?"

At Harry's nod, he knocked on the door. Almost immediately, a woman opened it, and she wore a kind smile.

"Good morning! You must be Professor Snape and Harry Potter. Do come in, please," she said, her voice gentle, yet friendly. "Susan, love, they're here!"

"Oh, goody!" Harry heard a younger voice call.

Mrs. Bones ushered Harry and Severus inside the house, through a corridor, and into a sitting room. It was rather brighter in colors than the one in Severus's house, with lighter colored couches and chairs. A fireplace sat in the center, although it wasn't lit, and there were pictures of Susan at various ages and her aunt. Susan had blonde hair, though not as light as Dudley's, and in the pictures, it was usually up in pigtails or braids.

The real Susan arrived in the room nearly as soon as Harry and his dad. Her blonde hair was nearly to her waist, and her face was bright with excitement.

"Hello!" she said, brightly. "You must be Harry Potter and Professor Snape!"

"Indeed," Severus answered, but his voice was soft. "It's nice to meet you, Susan."

"And you, sir," she answered, now a bit shyly, as they shook hands.

"Susan turned eight last spring, so she'll be in Harry's year at school. We're hoping for Hufflepuff, as most of our family has been sorted there," Mrs. Bones explained, putting an arm around her shoulders. "She'll been looking forward to meeting you, Harry. We both have. Shall I bring out tea?"

"Tea would be most agreeable," Severus responded, also placing a comforting arm around Harry's shoulders.

Tea, Harry knew, was more than just mugs of tea. There were sandwiches, and little cakes and sweets as well. Despite just having breakfast a couple of hours ago, he found himself hungry again. But not wanting to seem greedy, he watched his dad and took only the same amounts as him.

Everything was delicious. While they ate, the adults made what Harry knew to be small talk. Susan's aunt, Harry came to understand, worked at the Ministry of Magic. She didn't work as much as she used to, because she had to care for Susan, and when she did, she took her niece with her.

"But I consider this to be a good thing, as Susie is learning at a young age the workings of the Ministry," Mrs. Bones explained, glancing at her niece with a look of fondness. "When she starts at school, I shall resume my former hours."

Harry's dad nodded. "I will be bringing Harry to Hogwarts with me when the term begins. The headmaster promised the aid of the staff, and I may delegate a few duties to particularly diligent students. But," he added, smiling at Harry, "I certainly don't consider him to be a burden."

"Oh, heavens no!" Mrs. Bones agreed. "Susan and I are all that remain of the family because...well, you know. She's my pride and joy."

"Thank you, auntie," the girl smiled, turning rather pink.

Once the plates were cleared, Mrs. Bones suggested Susan show Harry her room.

"Oh, yes!" The girl jumped up. "Would you like that, Harry?"

Harry cast a quick look at his dad, to make sure this was all right. Severus smiled, encouragingly. Permission granted, Harry managed to murmur a goodbye before Susan grabbed him by the hand and led him through the corridors and up the stairs.

"This is my room," she said, once they stopped before an open door. "Come on in!"

It was larger than Dudley's first bedroom, and clearly a girl's room. The bed had a pink cover on top, with moving flowers. A few stuffed animals sat on top. There was a couch next to it in light purple. A desk sat on the other side, which was just regular wood, but the chair had pretty designs. The rug was light blue, and if Harry had not been wearing his shoes and socks, he knew he would have been able to feel the softness. Next to the desk was a much smaller table and chairs, currently occupied by a mix of dolls and stuffed animals. On top of the couch were a greater assortment of dolls and stuffed animals.

"Most of the dolls belonged to my aunt and mum and grandmother," Susan explained, with a smile. "I like to have tea parties with them, but stuffed animals are better for cuddling. Do you want to hold one?"

"Sure!" Harry answered. "Er, which one?"

She shrugged. "Whichever you like."

Harry took a bit dog from the couch, who immediately began to bark at him. He giggled.

"My guardian gave me a cat and a bear for my birthday," he said, gently hugging the dog. "They make noises as well."

"Oh yes." Susan sat down by the smaller table, and Harry followed her. "They're great! Hannah Abbott just got a bunny for her birthday. But rabbits don't do very much, just sniff, and move their feet around. But it's adorable. I'm going to ask for one for Christmas, since my birthday isn't until March. Do you like living with Professor Snape? My aunt says kids say he's scary."

"He can be a bit firm," Harry allowed, "but he's mostly really kind. My aunt and uncle were awful, so I reckon almost anyone else would be better."

"I'm sorry your relatives were so dreadful," Susan answered, sympathetically. "I suppose I am technically an orphan, as it's just me and Aunt Amelia. But I always saw her as a mum, so..." She shrugged. "I'm glad the professor is nice to you. Shall we play a game? I have Exploding Snap!"

"I don't know how to play," Harry admitted.

"Oh, it's loads of fun! I also know Wizards Chess, but that's sort of hard to teach," she added. "Maybe you can ask your dad to teach you, and the next time you come over, we can play!"

"Okay!"

Exploding Snap was a great deal of fun, but very loud. Harry didn't think Severus would want to play it with him, but perhaps, if he got to meet other kids, they would like it.

He would ask about Wizards Chess, though.

They ended up playing three games of Exploding Snap. Harry lost the first two, but he won the third. Either Susan let him win, or he was getting better.

"You're getting better!" she encouraged, with a smile. "You should ask your guardian to play with you."

Harry shrugged. "I don't think he would like it, but maybe."

They spent the rest of their visit playing with the stuffed animals. It was quite funny, because the animals didn't really know how to behave towards one another. The dog alternated between barking and growling, but the owl made hooting noises regardless. Finally, Severus came upstairs, and stood outside of Susan's room.

"Harry, it's about time we were leaving," he said, gently, and smiling.

"Okay," Harry agreed. He turned to Susan. "I had a really nice time, Susan."

"So did I. I'll come downstairs with you," she said, smiling.

A few minutes later, she stood by her aunt, who put an arm around her shoulders and smiled.

"Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Bones," Severus said, "and thank you, Susan, for being such a good host."

"Oh, you're welcome, sir," Susan answered, softly. "I enjoyed playing with Harry."

"We must arrange another visit soon," Mrs. Bones promised, with a smile.

They left through the front door, and then, Severus Apparated home, Harry in tow.

It wasn't quite so bad, this time.

Author's note:

Next up--Harry's feeling uncertain as the time to return to Hogwarts approaches.

As always, I would love to hear what you think. Also, if you have ideas for this piece, please let me know! I received some great ones for uses for the invisibility cloak, which I greatly appreciate!