[TW: Disciplinary spanking and non-consensual consent] This is not a slash fic per say, but it does have spanking as the main focal point. I strongly advise that you read the disclaimer in my bio prior to reading this fiction to see if this story might be a good read for you.

Author's notes: regarding the setting for this fic, please see the introductory notes at the beginning of chapter 1.

Chapter 22: Fake Amends

The following day brought a sigh of relief for Harry when he learned that Draco had sent the owl back, rescheduling his visit to the end of the following week. Snape had conveyed the change in plans over a warm breakfast with tea, granting Harry a welcome extension to solidify his defenses against Draco's inevitable harassment.

Over the next seven days, Harry settled in with Snape well. Their interactions were pleasant as he managed to steer clear of any sort of misbehavior. There were a few moments when Harry believed his cheeky remarks would land him in trouble, but to his surprise, Snape took them in stride, responding with an even sharper wit. Snape's talent for dry humor resulted in more chuckles than Harry could have anticipated in the Potion Master's company.

They delved into a few conversations about Snape's Hogwarts days— how he'd grown an affinity for potions and excelled in academics. They discussed aspects of the war, and Harry's plans for the upcoming term. Snape not-so-subtly nudged him to reconsider his seventh year but hadn't pushed more beyond a lengthy lecture on the benefits of a completed education.

Mornings were spent in the greenhouse, afternoons on potions (after Harry had convinced Snape to let him assist), and free time indulging in their own various pursuits. Harry immersed himself in numerous ancient books, relishing the luxury of sipping a warm cup of tea and having time to relax without the stress of saving anyone or facing the imminent threat of his own demise. He wrote to Hermione and looked forward to hearing back.

As the second week in Snape's home concluded, Harry smiled at the unexpected enjoyment of living with his once enigmatic professor. He considered how his first week of discipline had set the course for the newfound connection between them. In such a short span of time, many barriers long held between the pair had torn down, making everything feel like a fresh start. Despite Snape's reserved nature, his occasional displays of affection scattered throughout the waning spring days made Harry feel more than accepted. Whether Snape was brewing him a calming lavender tea after a long day, preparing meals with an unspoken camaraderie, or the subtle but affirming pats on the shoulder and gentle squeezes on the arm whenever Harry achieved a task, each small moment seemed to form a connection of their own. Snape's increased displays of affection added a warmth to their interactions, creating an unspoken understanding that transcended the years of resentment during the war.

Staying out of trouble had made his stay far easier as well; though amid the growing closeness, doubt and guilt loomed like storm clouds, casting shadows over his quiet evenings in bed. With only two weeks left before Ron's return, the prospect of betraying Snape's trust weighed heavily on Harry. Torn between responsibility over his best mate and a growing respect for Snape, Harry didn't know where he stood. Wedged between a rock and a hard place, he felt crushed under the surfacing pressure to make a decision.

The end of the week soon came, and with it— Draco Malfoy, who proved to be a painful distraction from Harry's predicament in more ways than one.


Draco's icy gray eyes scanned the large property as he set his broom down on the side of the home. He didn't know what to make of the stone house set on the stretched out hills of green grass. It was quaint and seemed private. Far too domestic for Snape and it certainly wasn't the dark, cold cramped house he hoped Potter would be living in.

The entire week he'd felt his irritation growing at the thought of bloody Harry Potter living with Professor Snape. Afterall, Snape was his Head of House, his—not Potter's. He was cold and harsh and few but Draco had the luxury of knowing him personally. The idea that Harry-saved-the-world-Potter was living with him now, perhaps even growing closer to him, was enough to make Draco's blood boil.

It wouldn't be easy to get Potter to talk about his living arrangement, but Draco was certain he could back him into a tight enough corner. With enough cutting jabs and humiliating insinuations Potter was sure to snap, he always did.

Draco paused when he arrived at the foot of the large wooden door, noting the little crooked lantern at the end of the steps. Three times he questioned whether this was the correct residence, despite the parchment being delivered here by his owl a week ago. The flourishing exterior itself contradicted anything associated with Snape.

The chilly spring air licked around Draco's shoulders as he huffed out a few warm breaths. He glanced over to his right, catching sight of a black fish gliding through the shifting water of the pond in the courtyard. Watching it move in slow, lazy circles, a memory came swimming back to the forefront of his mind; one he hadn't thought of in over a decade.

The glimpse of a warm day in September, with honey rays of sunlight bathing vibrant leaves of the nearing fall season returned to him. Hues of orange, red, and yellow had licked the tops of the oak trees on the expansive property of the Malfoy manor. The serene beauty contrasted the dark appearance of the towering castle he called home.

Draco was young at the time, a little boy of seven, perhaps eight, heaving with sobs as he ran down to the large pond on the grounds of the property. Mummy and daddy had ignored him all morning only to force him away when tall figures clad in black coats swept into their home like plumes of nasty thick smoke.

Draco could still remember the sharp splashes of glimmering water as he furiously threw stones at the fish in the pond, hoping to hit just one. He was so angry and hurt, he hated being left out and overlooked. Hated those tall ominous people around his nice and happy house.

"Mr. Malfoy," the silky smooth voice had said from a small distance behind him, "I was unaware of your vendetta against aquatic life."

"Go away!" Draco had screamed back through raspy tears at the dark haired man in a flowing black cloak.

Draco chucked another rock resulting in a sharp splash then reached for a stick to spear into the water.

He had heard Snape tsk, his footsteps reverberating off the wooden dock as he grew closer.

"Enough of this nonsense." Snape said, snatching the stick swiftly from his hands. "Come with me."

He had calmly grabbed Draco by the arm, pulling him away from the water and his onslaught of tears.

Draco couldn't remember if he'd truly put up that much of a fight as they trudged off the dock, though he vaguely recalled Snape threatening to spank him with the stick if he didn't cooperate.

Draco's tight expression softened as he gazed into the dark water. What lingered most from that day wasn't the anger toward his parents or the ominous presence of death eaters in his home. Instead, it was the solace provided by Snape, perched on a sizable tree stump, guiding him onto his lap, firmly compelling him to explain himself.

The details of their conversation that September day were shrouded in a haze, but amid the foggy recollection, the vivid memory persisted of him falling into Snape's chest, embraced tightly in a hug. He had felt safe as he was held close, comforted from the grip of rejection that had threatened to overwhelm his tiny mind.

Last week after his punishment, the warm nostalgia had returned to him when he buried his tearstained face in Snape's shoulder.

Draco sucked in a small breath, continuing to watch the fish swim slowly.

That day by the pond became the first of many similar moments as Snape remained closely connected with his parents, and later, when Draco entered Slytherin, he found himself under Snape's care for much of the year. Though most of Snape's comfort came after well earned spankings, Draco had always felt a unique closeness to him. He was the harsh Potions Master's favorite student and he had consistently kept that spot over his years at Hogwarts, holding the attention of the one person everyone else couldn't stand.

Snape wasn't easy on him, he'd experienced his terrifying authority and painful lessons more times than he could count, but unlike the others, Snape had always let Draco stay longer after discipline. He had always left Snape's office feeling heard and understood, just as he did that day by the pond. Well, except for the day he felt unjustly paddled for interruptions in class, but that was a stand alone incident.

While hugging wasn't Snape's strong suit during school, there were numerous occasions when Draco had fallen asleep on his shoulder after pouring out his frustrations. Following hard punishments, Snape even allowed him to spend the night in the dungeon, and countless times, he'd found himself tucked in with a blanket on Snape's modest couch by the fire. Those memories were ones he held close, and for some reason, they now felt threatened.

The dark scaled fish surfaced the water, flicking its gleaming tail in a little splash, pulling Draco away from the buried memory.

Draco scowled, his shoulders grew rigid as he glanced up at the stone house. Why did Snape have to live with Harry Potter, of all people? Why him?

Draco ran his battered hand down the front of his soft back sweater, attempting to sweep off the fabric and the growing feeling of resentment.

He then scaled the small set of stone steps and rapped the wooden door three firm times. He sucked in a tight breath and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting not so patiently for one of them to answer the door.


Harry was handing Snape a section of stripped pine for the cauldron set up on the table in the kitchen when the loud rapping knocks filled the entryway of the house. Harry's subsequent frown was instantaneous, eliciting an eye roll from Snape.

He couldn't help it, he had no interest in entertaining Draco Malfoy, especially not after such a trouble-free week and peaceful morning.

Noting how the young wizard failed to move from his seated position by the cauldron, Snape sighed and carefully set down his small knife with a clink on the tabletop.

He had taken the time earlier to explicitly warn Harry of the repercussions of fighting with Draco, emphasizing the discomfort of the punishment that would follow if the pair so much as insulted each other in his presence.

In truth, Snape harbored hope that the young men would come to an understanding now that the looming pressure of the war had faded. He certainly wouldn't tolerate anything less in his home. He sighed audibly at the prospect of having to reinforce discipline if the young wizards could not remain level-headed.

"You will be civil," Snape warned Harry for the second time that day, turning around to head for the front door.

"I know, sir." Harry grumbled behind him, looking down at the glistening blue liquid bubbling in the cauldron.

"No immature displays of temper." Snape added low and slow, pausing in the entryway of the kitchen to give Harry a pointed look. "You two are no longer children."

"I know." Harry said, a hint of disdain creeping into his tone. "We won't fight."

Snape's dark eyes narrowed a touch, "You know what punishment to expect if you do."

A warmth of embarrassment crept up Harry's neck, reddening his face. He shot emerald daggers up at Snape.

"Yes, I know, sir." Harry whispered, his tone desperate for Snape to stop the threats. "Please, he might hear you."

Snape gave a little scoff accompanied by a brief eye roll. Both Harry and Draco were desperate to keep their punishments from one another, yet considering they received the same form of correction for misbehavior, Snape found the whole discretion ridiculous. Though he hadn't confirmed it with either of them, the boys had likely deduced it. He turned to make his way across the wooden floor, his footsteps reverberating through the quiet home with strong clacks. He'd only gotten halfway there when three more loud bangs echoed in a thudding clamor across the entryway.

Snape paused, his dark gaze narrowing at the wooden door. Silently, he hoped it wasn't a mistake to allow Draco to visit the home so soon. Well aware of Draco's inclination toward strong displays of emotion, having Harry Potter suddenly in close proximity and living with him was sure to stir frustration within the young wizard. However, Snape hoped Draco had grown up enough to handle it.

Snape strode the remainder of the way to the door, his hand soon hovering for a moment over the metal handle as he mentally attempted to prepare himself for the afternoon that lay ahead. Too many times at Hogwarts, he'd dealt with a frustrated Minerva pestering him over Draco's insufferable taunting and Harry's subsequent reactions. The faculty was well aware of the boys' disdain for one another and the inevitable drama that followed them around the school up until the very end.

Snape could almost feel a headache coming on as dragged the front door open. He peered down at Draco with a raised brow.

The boy's cheeks were tinged red, prompting him to wonder if the color had been brought on by the cold spring air or a preemptive temper already brewing. The next words out of Draco's mouth confirmed the latter.

"Took you long enough," Draco shot out as he crossed his arms tighter to his chest. "Lost roaming the property with Potter or something?"

Snape's brows shot up, stunned at the blonde's audacity. That quip was bold, even for Draco. Snape fixed the Slytherin with a piercing gaze of disapproval, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"As lovely as your little greeting was, I highly suggest you curb your tongue and adjust your level of respect before stepping another foot forward."

Draco uncrossed his arms, shifting his gaze to the right, glaring out again at the fish pond.

"I'm sorry." He muttered without looking back.

After a long pause Snape semi-turned back to Harry who was peering down into the cauldron and said:

"Harry, add the—"

"Harry?" Draco couldn't stop himself from interrupting, his sharp tone echoed throughout the entryway. Snape was calling Potter just Harry now?!

Bloody hell they have gotten on. Draco thought to himself, his temper fuming.

A faint smirk crept up the side of Harry's face at the evident appall laced in Draco's words. He watched with a hint of satisfaction as Snape instantly spun back around. Though Harry couldn't see Draco, he could only imagine his face when Snape's voice dropped down to an icy, barely audible whisper.

"You know full well my sentiments on interruptions, Mr. Malfoy." Snape said, leaning down closer to Draco. "Your behavior in the mere minute you've been in my presence is not only uncalled for but truly astounding."

Draco sucked in a sharp breath, he was more than furious at the apparent closeness Snape and Harry now shared but his sense of self preservation kicked back in at the agitated intensity radiating off Snape.

"Sorry, sir." Draco whispered quickly, his ears turning a bright pink at the possibility of Harry overhearing.

Snape raised his index finger and pointed it towards Draco's chest, "Not another word."

Snape drew in a lengthy breath before turning back to Harry. In less than two minutes, he regretted not cordially refusing Draco's request to visit his home. Today was sure to prove troublesome.

"As I was saying," Snape annunciated the words slowly, turning back briefly to glare at Draco. "Add in the Valerian Root Extract next. Don't stop stirring until I get back."

Harry nodded, his green eyes glistening with curiosity. He desperately wanted to ask where they were going but wisely chose not to give Draco the satisfaction that he cared.

"Right, Snape. I'll do that." Harry said just a little louder than necessary. He struggled to keep his composure at the small strangled sound coming from Draco.

Snape rolled his eyes at the mounting theatrics. Despite the boys not having addressed each other directly yet, the agitation between them was already bubbling faster than the potion brewing in the kitchen.

Snape gave Harry a warning glare as he stepped out the wooden door, letting it click with a hard thud behind him.


"You let him call you 'Snape' too!?" Draco almost yelled when they got roughly ten paces away from the porch.

Before he could get another furylaced protest out Snape latched onto his arms and pulled him in close.

"Enough." Snape's tone was low and sharp, making Draco instantly swallow his temper.

Snape pulled Draco along, walking a few steps farther from the stone house. When he received no explanation or word from the bristled blonde, his blood pressure spiked.

He paused and leveled Draco with an exceptionally stern expression.

"You'd do well to mind your words, Draco, unless you're eager to experience the consequences of your insolence firsthand. My private quarters and the backside of the brush will certainly suffice for such an unfortunate discussion if you persist."

"What?" Draco's head shot up and a little gasp escaped his lips. "Snape, you can't be serious! Not with him around!"

It sounded more like a panicked plea than a genuine challenge. Snape, attuned to Draco's emotional tendencies, easily discerned the difference.

"Indeed I am." Snape's voice carried a low, controlled intensity as he addressed Draco, giving his arm a firm squeeze. "I do not care who is present, if you choose to behave poorly in my home you will be disciplined accordingly. Now, enough of this insolent display of temper."

Draco looked utterly appalled, though the threat seemed to curb the fire from his icy eyes. He looked away from Snape's piercing gaze for a moment. It was difficult to ebbe the flush of anger sweeping from the pit of his stomach to the center of his chest but he needed to try if he didn't want to earn a smacking. Snape wasn't one for idle threats.

"You are never permitted to be disrespectful to me," Snape reiterated, his eyes bore down into Draco with an intensity that made his stomach drop. "You are also well aware of the specific consequences reserved for such a transgression in Slytherin, which, might I remind you, apply for this summer."

Snape let the ominous reminder hang for a moment in the tense air, watching Draco's face flush in response.

Satisfied with the curb in attitude, Snape took a step forward, closing more of the space between them. His low voice dropped down into a whisper making Draco swallow in response. "Given your discretion around discipline, I'm astounded by your lack of self preservation. Did last week not make a clear enough impression upon you? Perhaps you need a reminder to solidify my expectations for your behavior."

Draco's entire demeanor shifted, his eyes growing a bit wider as his mouth went dry. "No, no, please, I don't need that! I'm sorry, sir. Please don't."

Snape set his dark eyes on Draco, leveling him with an intensity that made him squirm.

"Explain yourself."

The sound of a small swallow filled the distance between them as Draco tried to find words.

"I… I just can't believe— calling him Harry? Since when do you like him? And you only let… no one is allowed to call you just 'Snape'."

Snape resisted the urge to roll his or scoff at the theatrics. He knew Draco would have his issues with Harry living close by, especially with him, yet his emotional display over the nature of names and formalities was a bit unexpected.

"Draco, circumstances have evolved—"

Draco couldn't stop the overwhelming swell of anger filling up his tight chest at Snape's words. Evolved? As in Harry had evolved into someone important to him? Feelings overtook logic and he couldn't help himself from cutting back in.

"Evolved!? What is that supposed—"

He didn't have an opportunity to finish his accusatory sentence. Before he had another breath to protest he was spun to the side, pulled in close to Snape, and smacked three horribly hard times across the center of his bum.

A sharp, pained gasp escaped Draco's lips when Snape's open palm met his backside. Despite the unexpected sting, he kept his next words uncharacteristically quiet.

"Owww, no, Snape! Please," Draco begged in a high pitched whisper, his face turned a brilliant shade of scarlet as looked back to the house. "He might have seen that!"

"You are two seconds away from a full punishment with the paddle, Mr. Malfoy. I would be far more concerned with my next words over Mr. Potter's whereabouts ifI were you." Snape drawled out the last three words, boring his punishing gaze down into Draco's eyes.

Draco sucked in a sharp breath, stepping back away from Snape.

"No, no, please, not the paddle. I'm sorry, sir! I… I just—it's just—I don't know why I feel..."

He dropped his eyes from Snape and stared at the top of his shoes. Snape considered Draco for a moment waiting for him to show a glimmer of maturity and express himself appropriately.

"Please don't smack me. I can't take another one after last week."

Snape glared down at him, exhausted with this lengthy display.

"Is that so? It seems to me your audacity has sufficiently recovered enough to receive further correction."

Letting out a little moan, Draco looked to the right, his icy eyes wandering around the property. His bum stung with prickly heat and he suddenly decided he wasn't going back into the house. What if Potter had seen him get smacked?

"No, I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have come." Draco said quietly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I'll just go, you can get back to Harry."

Since he's more important than me now, Draco added to himself.

Snape rolled his dark gaze up to the blue sky for a moment. Though he hadn't anticipated it, there was an undeniable undercurrent of jealousy tainting Draco's words. It was an emotion he was quite familiar with after years of looking after the young wizard in Slytherin.

When Draco was a child, they'd dealt with this issue many times at Hogwarts. He never particularly liked other members of their House getting even a hint of praise from Snape. The moment a peer seemed to get any recognition, Draco had taken it upon himself to sabotage their good standing with any measure possible. Snape had moved swiftly to dispel Draco's belief that he was above severe consequences and subsequently, the young wizard had found himself on the receiving end of discipline far more often than other students the first few years. However, as time wore on, Draco out grew such childish displays. Snape was a bit mystified to feel the reaction resurfacing now, given Draco's age and everything he'd been through.

Snape paused for a moment more to collect his thoughts. He reasoned that perhaps the intensity of the punishment last week had rekindled a need for reassurance in Draco. This initially made the boy's insolent behavior at the door all the more perplexing, as Snape had not anticipated such a blatant display of disrespect. The jealousy, however, connected the pieces together, providing Snape a fresh bout of understanding, and annoyance, over the escalating situation.

"No, you will not be leaving," Snape said firmly, motioning for Draco to follow him. "Come along."

Draco swallowed, moving to follow Snape with reluctance. His feet felt like they were stuck in molasses and his heart thudded in a swell of anticipation.

Humiliation filled Draco at the mere thought of Snape spanking him while Harry was nearby. The anxiety surged as he contemplated the possibility that Harry had somehow witnessed the three swats. Not only would that be humiliating, but it would also jeopardize Draco's entire plan. If Harry discovered they shared the same form of punishment, there would be nothing to use against him.

"Snape," Draco said after they'd walked a few minutes down the driveway and onto the gravel path winding through the forest surrounding the neighborhood. "What if he's around? He's got that horrible cloak! If I find out he saw and is following us—"

"Silence," Snape said, turning to face Draco. "He is certainly not following along, he is planted at the table stirring an experimental calming draught."

Draco breathed a little sigh, scanning behind them one more time then looking back into Snape's dark gaze. "If you say so, sir."

Snape gave a small nod, he would certainly know if Harry quit stirring the potion as the consistency would ruin. Despite the young wizard's penchant for trouble, he doubted Harry would disobey him after their firm introduction to discipline at the beginning of the month.

"Now, there are more pressing matters at hand than Mr. Potter's whereabouts." Snape said sharply, "I explicitly warned you in my response to your request to come here, that fighting, foolish displays of temperament or bickering would be met with a swift punishment. Imagine my astonishment that you've started with this insolent display without saying a word to Harry Potter yet. Explain yourself thoroughly, while I still possess the patience."

Draco said nothing for a moment, letting his gaze wander up the tall pine trees, his icy eyes following small song birds flitting about the blue sky in spiraling patterns. The warm rays of the spring sunshine cast beams of light upon them illuminating their close stance to one another.

"I can't stand him and his bloody savior complex." Draco soon muttered, toeing the ground with his boot. "Not sure why I got so cross with you though."

"No?" Snape said low and slow, interlacing his fingers and bringing them down to rest in front of his waist. "That is not an answer I will accept, Draco."

Draco swallowed hard and looked back at Snape. He certainly wasn't about to get all mushy and tell him the truth—tell him he hated that Potter was living with him, hated thinking they might get close, hated feeling suddenly rejected and replaced. No, he wouldn't do that so he did what he always had when feeling threatened: deflect.

"You lied to me." Draco said, crossing his arms tight.

"I lied to you?" Snape shot back, narrowing his eyes.

Unlike Harry, Draco didn't always back down from Snape's sharp tones and cold words. He had a sense for how far he could push before getting his arse in trouble.

"Yes. You hated Potter too—you helped try to hand him over. We all did. Clearly though, I completely missed something since now you think he's so special like everyone else does. I suppose you must have always liked him… and I don't appreciate being bloody lied to, Snape."

"I will not warn you again," Snape's dark eyes narrowed at the challenge in Draco's stance and sharpness of his words. "You will speak respectfully as you express yourself or I assure you, our discussion will resume over my knee, right here. Understood?"

Draco swallowed but held Snape's gaze, "I understand."

Snape raised an eyebrow prompting Draco to add: "sir."

Snape's paper thin patience was nearly ripped in two. He had half a mind to haul Draco over to the nearest tree stump and discipline some sense back into him. While he could acknowledge Draco's feelings to some extent, he wouldn't be disrespectfully interrogated by an insolent seventeen-year-old.

He took a deep breath and interlaced his fingers behind his back. He was attempting to give the boy more leniency after the whipping last week, though Draco seemed determined to reject the offer. He rarely extended the opportunity for compliance beyond the initial chance and Draco's luck had run dry as Snape prepared himself to follow through.

"There are many things you do not know yet, Draco. Intricacies that I am not at liberty to discuss with you right now. The complexities of wartime decisions elude those who did not bear the burden. If you would like to discuss such matters we will do so at a later date."

"Why can't we talk about it now?" Draco's tone was more subdued, lacking the previous accusation accompanied by his first round of questions.

"As it stands, Harry's hand is destined for exhaustion from incessant stirring. I will not have that potion ruined on account of your whining," Snape declared, signaling for Draco to accompany him up the road. "Must I reiterate that the primary objective of your visit is to reconcile?"

As he walked briskly away from the path, Snape decided they would have to deal with this combustion of jealousy another time when he had the patience to draw the truth out of Draco. Or, perhaps, the Veritaserum.

Draco huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets and hustling to keep up with Snape. He hated that he called bloody Potter 'Harry.' The first name basis was enough to rile him up from head to toe but he wisely refrained from allowing the anger to take his next words.

"Well," Draco said slowly, walking in step with Snape. "You said I couldn't come over unless I did, sir. It wasn't entirely my… objective."

Snape shot Draco a sharp glare over his shoulder.

"Well, it is your objective now, Draco."


Any enthusiasm Harry possessed for assisting Snape with the potion had dissipated faster than morning mist at daybreak. He reasoned if the cramp in his wrist didn't kill him, his curiosity about where Draco and Snape had wandered off to would. He wondered if they were talking about him, or better, if Draco was in trouble for interrupting at the door.

Though Harry hadn't wanted to see Draco at all, it was a relief to hear his voice growing louder as he and Snape approached the house.

"After you," Harry heard Snape say.

A second later Draco stepped through the entryway. Both sets of footsteps reverberated across the wooden panels of the floor, drawing closer.

Harry's heartbeat quickened inexplicably when Draco appeared and met his gaze. They stared at each other for a tense moment before Draco glanced away first, seemingly glaring at the kitchen's surroundings. Harry redirected his focus to the bubbling cauldron, it had been a considerable time since his body instinctively tensed for a possible fight. Despite Snape's assurances, Harry was convinced Draco had come with the intent to rile him up.

Harry watched the brewing potion intently as he stirred, waiting for Snape to intervene and save his hand from falling off. The once blue glittering concoction had turned into a deep swirl of violet purple. Harry was nearly convinced that if he let go of the stirring rod the movement of the liquid would keep it turning with the same velocity.

Snape observed the tension between the two boys for a moment. They had failed to even greet one another which was a poor indicator of the remainder of the day. He resolved himself to do something about it, for the sake of his own sanity, as he strode over to a spot next to Harry.

Snape peered down into the cauldron, and gave a curt nod. "Well done, you've achieved the correct consistency and coloration. You may stop stirring now."

Harry pulled the stirring stick out and set it down on the counter with a small clink.

It was hardly audible but he heard Draco mutter as he walked into the pantry: "Please, as if stirring is some grand accomplishment."

Harry sucked in a breath, unsure if Snape had even heard that one, but before he could confront Draco for the first quip, the blonde followed up with:

"No wonder everything smells like lavender, Snape." Draco glared up at the bundles strung high in the pantry, he motioned to them above his head, "this whole place is permeated with it thanks to these."

Harry looked over at Snape who was busy slicing a root on the wooden chopping block next to the cauldron. Without so much as glancing up he shot back at Draco:

"Perhaps then, it would do you some good to distance yourself from such an offensive aroma."

Snape's tone was impeccably sharp, making Harry hope Draco was about to be sent home. However, the next words out of Snape's mouth were more than disappointing.

"You will accompany Harry to the greenhouse. I'd like the two of you to carefully collect six clippings of Dittany and bring them here to me." Snape's pointed glare shifted from Draco to Harry, both who were focused on him, refusing to look at one another.

Great, a private activity with Malfoy, that'll go well. Harry thought to himself, frustration already pinching at his nerves.

"A response and subsequent action is required from the both of you." Snape added after a moment of tense silence, leveling them each with a stern expression.

"Yes, sir." The pair said in near unison. Harry moved to stand and Draco stepped out of the pantry.

Harry, being closer to the back metal door, made it outside first. The gleaming sunlight was bright, causing him to squint for a moment as he waited for Draco. He was tempted to let the door fall back and smack the arrogant prat in the face but he knew Snape wouldn't be enthralled when the blonde fell to the floor screaming in feigned agony.

A second later Draco followed behind. The pair strolled out in silence with only the sounds of the spring afternoon accompanying them. A few birds chirped kindly to one another while the soft wind rustled the budding leaves on the bushes by the house. It remained quiet for a moment more, until they were out of earshot of the back porch.

"Holding the door for me now, eh, Potter?" Draco spat from a few paces behind Harry. "Seems like Snape's already got you whipped into shape. It's refreshing, really."

Harry felt his chest flush with a familiar swell of frustration. Of course, as he predicted, Draco Malfoy hadn't changed in the slightest following the conclusion of the war.

"Come off it, Malfoy." Harry shot back over his shoulder, "Why are you even here?"

Draco's eyes wandered up the door of the greenhouse as Harry soon shoved it and walked through, not bothering to hold it even for a second this time.

Draco smirked, catching the door and pushing it open to follow.

"I have my reasons, and my questions."

Harry didn't look back, he bent down by the wooden work bench and began searching for the pair of gardening shears.

"Well your burning questions better be for Snape because I'm not answering any for you." Harry said without looking back, rummaging around the tools.

"You hardly need to. I know why you're here," Draco drawled, he slid his hands into his pockets and side stepped Harry.

His icy gaze wandered round the lush foliage of the green house. "Can't make it on your own after the war so you needed Snape to jump in and play daddy. It's adorable, really, Potter. How does he compare to yours?"

Harry took in a sharp breath, his fingers tightened around the handle of the shears as he yanked them from the bottom of the wooden shelf. He knew Malfoy, it wasn't the first time he'd taken a crack at his late parents, and it wouldn't be the last. He figured he'd make some sort of bloody jab at the situation. Regardless, his entire body flushed with anger.

Harry wisely said nothing, striding past Draco and heading for the bed of Dittany. Draco smirked at the flush coming up from Harry's neck. It felt so, so, good to piss him off again.

He waited for a moment watching Harry snap the shears open and carefully collect a stem of Dittany to snip.

"Perhaps it would be wise to wait, Potter," Draco said, sauntering over to the overgrown plant bed. "I'm pretty sure I heard Snape say I needed to assist you. Wouldn't want to disobey him now, right? I've heard his consequences are quite unpleasant."

Harry glared up at Draco, hating the flint of snark gleaming in his eyes. He knew he should leave it… but the set up was too good.

"Oh, yeah, Malfoy," Harry smirked. "I'm certain you've heard about his consequences."

Harry punctuated the end of his sentence with a snip of the Dittany.

Draco faltered for a brief moment, his pulse quickening at the insinuation. His eyes narrowed slightly at Harry. Maybe the little prat had seen the swats. Despite feeling a bit sick, Draco decided to call his bluff.

"What are you playing at, hm?" He said casually, swallowing his nerves. "Leave your twisted fantasies about me out of your little game of 'house' with Snape. Disgusting, honestly."

Harry knew he couldn't push it too far if he didn't want an all out brawl with Malfoy. So, he shoved off his temper and snipped the next five pieces of Dittany silently.

Draco opened his mouth, primed to insult him again but Harry shoved the shears in his direction, pushing the handle into Draco's chest.

"Here, make yourself useful for once in your life and put them away, Malfoy." Harry let go of the shears and Draco caught them on instinct.

Harry pushed his way quickly out of the greenhouse, letting the wooden door thud behind him. Draco smirked and tossed the shears on the wooden table. A few years ago, Harry would have never backed down from a quip about his precious dead parents. Now though, he seemed more than desperate to stay out of a fight.

Perfect.

Draco had already needled his way under his skin and he couldn't even react. It wouldn't take too much more for him to crack with frustration and spill everything— defend why he was living with Snape and admit what his life looked like now. Draco felt reassured that Harry hadn't seen the smacks he'd gotten out front either, after all, he certainly would have brought that one up.

Draco strode quickly out of the wooden door, bursting it open and snapping it closed behind him. He was more than satisfied to find Harry waiting.

He scrunched his nose up in a familiar sneer, "He really has done a number on you, hasn't he, Potter? Imagine that, the hero of the wizarding world is scared to act up. Can't step one toe out of line in this place, can you?"

"Open your hand." Harry said sharply, dismissing Draco's taunts once more.

Draco squinted his icy eyes, "For what? So you can kiss the back of it or something? Trust me, holding the door shows plenty of due respect."

Harry scoffed, "You take three and I take three or we're going to be right back out here." He waved the six clips of Dittany at Draco.

Draco's sneer deepened, "Careful, if Snape knew you were out here giving orders—"

"Just take the Dittany, Malfoy, and spare me the commentary. I know what you're doing and I won't bite."

Draco smirked and snatched the Dittany, grabbing the three best pieces, he then tossed the others at Harry's chest.

Catching them before they hit the ground, Harry narrowed his emerald eyes.

"I know why you won't bite," Draco's smirk deepened at the faint color tinging Harry's cheeks. "Let me be the first to say, on behalf of all Slytherins, it's refreshing to know Snape's got you now, even if it is pathetic at your age. It's about time you learned some real, painful lessons."

Harry stuffed down his embarrassment and rolled his eyes, "It seems you've concocted your own little fantasies, haven't you? You don't know anything about my life here."

Draco stepped in closer to him, narrowing his icy glare, "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Snape and I had a nice long chat earlier."

"I'm sure you did." Harry said, lacing his voice with as much sarcasm as he could muster.

Draco had to be just fishing for a reaction, perhaps even for some solace in knowing he didn't face Snape's strap alone, which Harry was more than convinced of after this little round of specialized prodding. All things considered he let it slide to save his own arse from the brewing fight, then turned quickly and made his way back to the house.


Snape glanced up at the boys when the black metal door swung open. Draco looked far too smug while Harry already seemed agitated. Snape shot his dark glare to Draco who gave him an innocent expression in return.

"I presume you collected these together," Snape said, retrieving the three pieces of each of their outstretched hands.

Draco said 'certainly' first but Harry's 'yes' came a second delayed, confirming Snape's suspicions. He was about to confront Draco but, before he had the opportunity, the blonde asked:

"Snape, where's your loo?"

Draco shoved his hands in his trouser pockets and peered around the kitchen.

"It is up the stairs. Harry will show you to it." Snape said, deciding to address the boys separately.

Today was already shaping up to be a storm of chaos, and he was preparing to put a halt to it before it escalated to a downpour.

Harry gave Snape a wary look, "It really is just right up the stairs."

Shooting a glance between Snape and Harry, Draco smirked at the look he caught.

"Indeed, and you will show him to it." Snape said, narrowing his dark gaze at Harry, "Come back to me after you have."

Digging his nail into the flesh of his palm, Harry willed himself not to blush at the subtle reprimand.

"Yes, sir." He replied quietly, waving Draco to follow as he turned out of the kitchen.

As Draco moved to walk past Snape, he found a warm hand encompassing his forearm, stopping him.

"When I tell you to do something, you obey me." Snape said, tapping the wooden cutting board next to the Dittany. "You are well aware I do not take kindly to lying either, Draco Malfoy."

Draco swallowed, suddenly far less smug now that he was on the other side of the threat. A flicker of fear crossed his eyes as he remembered Snape's warning outside. Somehow, Snape always knew when he didn't do exactly as asked.

"I know, sir." Draco said, trying to keep the discomfort from his tone.

"You and I have not finished discussing this matter." Snape said sharply, releasing Draco's arm.

Snape tsked out loud and shook his head. Only a week later and Draco had already earned another trip across his knee. As Snape observed the young wizard, he considered Draco's demeanor. Clearly, he was struggling with jealousy, something which they had yet to discuss. It was also evident that Draco failed to see the seriousness in their conversation outside. Neither though were excuses for the behavior he'd put up with all afternoon. Draco's little jab to Harry in the pantry had not gone unnoticed, and given it was disrespectful to him as well, especially preceding their conversation on respect only minutes prior, Draco had unknowingly sealed his fate.

Snape dismissed Draco and sliced into one of the Dittany leaves, his face tightening into a stern mask. He supposed it was possible that Draco had dismissed the expectations he held for his behavior, even after the strap last week. The last year of the war had ravished them all, and Snape had been far too preoccupied with keeping Draco and everyone else he could alive to dole out many well earned spankings.

Regardless, Draco certainly should have remembered that he possessed a zero tolerance policy for disobedience and young wizard once knew that. Given the cunning nature of Slytherins and the ethical dilemma of using Occlumency on students, Snape always laid down the hard expectation for honesty in his presence. From the moment a new student walked into his House at Hogwarts to the day they left, they knew the severity of lying or disobeying him.

He was more than tempted to give Draco a few swats now. Though, for the time being, he chose to refrain from punishing the boys in front of one another. Humiliation was a force he was painfully familiar with, and despite his no nonsense approach to discipline, he wouldn't subject Harry or Draco to that level of discomfort before they reconciled their differences and discussed that matter on their own terms.

Draco gave a quieter, "Yes, sir."

Then he turned to follow up with Harry who was leaning against the railing of the stairs. It was his turn to smirk at the obvious flush covering Draco's pale face.

As he made his way over to Harry, Draco felt his stomach plummet. Lying and dishonesty on Snape's lips made him swallow hard. Suddenly the threat of being pulled up to Snape's room felt all too real. He hoped beyond hope that wasn't the goal of their continued conversation.

Draco glared at Harry when he gave him a snarky little smile and said, "It's right up there."

Harry motioned for Draco to walk ahead but for whatever reason he refused. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes then led the way up the creaky wooden stairs.

Draco followed behind, tapping his fingers in little thumps up the wooden railing as he walked. He took a deep breath and forced himself not to worry about the comment from Snape. If he had really planned to smack me, he'd be doing it now, right? Yeah, he doesn't wait around. Draco reassured himself.

Snape always acted quick when he meant it so it must not have been that serious. Draco allowed himself to relax, letting the unease in his stomach subside. He still had some prodding to do with Potter, more now than ever after that little moment of humiliation.

Draco peered around the upstairs of the house when they reached the top, taking in the library of sorts and the smell of ached parchment. At least it was better than the bloody lavender scent sweeping around the kitchen.

"There you go," Harry said waving at the bathroom, then moving to walk down the stairs.

He was tempted to tell Draco not to piss everywhere since it was his bathroom but decided against giving the blonde any ideas.

Draco shoved past Harry, clipping his shoulder in the process. He walked into the bathroom and snapped the door shut, then waited carefully for the sound of Harry's footsteps to retreat down the creaky stairs.

Once he was sure Harry was out of the entryway and in the kitchen, he slowly turned the metal handle on the bathroom door, exiting without a sound.


Author's Notes: Happy New Year, Dear Readers! What do you think, will Draco be able to get Harry to talk, or will he dig himself a deeper hole trying? The next few chapters I have for you are packed with quite a bit of content and I'm looking forward to cleaning them up and getting them posted next week. For now, I hope you enjoyed this introduction to a day of conversation, manipulation and a bit more chaos than Snape bargained for.

I'm so thankful for each and every one of you! Your love for this story touches me and it's certainly been the highlight to the end of a wild year. Much love to you all (as always), I'll be back next Sunday. 3