Author's note: I should warn you that there's an instance of bullying in this chapter. Nothing as bad as the "Snape's Worst Memory" chapter in the fifth book, but enough to caution any sensitive readers. It takes place right after the game ends and Snape leaves. If you wish to skip it, it's maybe half a page. Don't worry--the bullies are caught and receive detention.

Harry woke up before his dad arrived to tickle him, eager for the day. He grinned widely. He was going to see his first ever Quidditch game!

It was Slytherin playing against Gryffindor. Slytherin had played really well ever since his dad had become their head of house seven years ago, even winning the past four years in a row! Harry expected that they would probably win this year, too.

His dad had spent a great part of their free time during the last week explaining how the game worked. There were seven players per team. Three Chasers, who scored goals with the Quaffle. A Keeper, who guarded the three goal posts and tried to keep the Chasers from scoring. Two Beaters, who whacked the two Bludgers with giant clubs, to keep them away from their team. Then, there was the Seeker, who tried to catch the golden Snitch before the other team's Seeker managed the task. Severus had even taken him to the Quidditch pitch and asked Madam Hooch to show him the balls. He'd let Harry hold the Quaffle and the beautiful, tiny Snitch. Not the Bludgers, though. They were too dangerous to be set loose in his sight. But he had been allowed to touch one in the restraints, and he could appreciate how much it would hurt to be hit by one.

Harry had never been to any sports event before, but Uncle Vernon used to take Dudley to football or Rugby games. Harry knew that Dudley only liked to go for the food, and maybe, to spend time with his dad. Aunt Marge would probably keep taking him to these games.

But Quidditch sounded far more exciting than any Muggle sport. It was played on broomsticks, after all!

"Your father played for Gryffindor," Severus told him, once they'd returned to their quarters. Before Harry could ask, he added, "He was a Chaser. Talented, but he longed to play Seeker. Wasn't quite good enough for it, I expect."

"Does the team with the Seeker who catches the Snitch always win?" Harry asked.

He knew that catching the Snitch earned one hundred and fifty points, while each goal a Chaser scored was only ten.

"Often, but not always." Severus had retrieved roll of parchment and a quill. "Perhaps, this would be a good math lesson..."

It was quite an interesting math lesson. Harry quickly saw how quickly a match could change, even the outcome of the house tournament, depending on how many goals a team scored.

"Last year was Charlie Weasley's third year as a Seeker for Gryffindor," he had explained, after placing the parchment down and letting Harry settle into his lap. "He managed to catch the Snitch within the first half hour. By then, though, our team was up by two hundred points."

"Was his team angry that he caught it too late for them to win?" Harry had wondered.

"I rather imagine they were grateful to lose only by fifty points," Severus had replied, with a chuckle. "Mind, my team has taken to playing...rather unkindly. I had a talk with them about it. I still expect them to perform well, but I rather expect not quite such sweeping victories."

Now, Harry rose from his bed, grinning at the idea of seeing his first match. And maybe, having the chance to get at the invisibility cloak first.

His dad HAD said he could, back when he first saw it. He could sneak into his guardian's room and tickle him awake, just like how he tickled Harry awake. Of course, Severus would probably tickle him twice as much afterwards...

Harry giggled to himself. It would be worth it.

He considered donning his dressing gown, but decided against it. Soon, he'd toasty in his dad's bed.

The door was open, of course. They never closed their bedroom doors, only the ones to the loo. Harry crept inside, rather glad that he'd learned this skill from his years at the Dursleys. Too often, he'd had to tread lightly to sneak food after being confined to his cupboard.

The memory made him pause, just for a second. This wasn't disobedience, after all. Still, his heart began to race, and he felt a little dizzy.

Harry took a deep breath, the way his Mind Healer told him to. "Deep, slow breaths when you're anxious. Slowly, like this. Good. Once more. Yes, and keep at it until you feel all right."

He felt mostly normal again.

A very large lump under the blankets meant his dad was underneath. Creeping forward, just a bit, he could make out his long hair. A part of Harry wanted to run his hands over it, the way Severus always did...but that might wake him up before he could tickle him awake.

Harry had wondered if he'd have to try to find the cloak, but it was hanging over the chair by his dad's desk. Grinning, he took hold of it, spending a few moments admiring it and running his hands over the fabric. They'd used it together to get treats from the kitchens, but while they'd both been under it at the time, Severus had been wearing it properly. But that was all right. It wouldn't be Harry's, not fully, for another couple of years.

He placed it over his body, aware of how huge it was. Far longer on him than any of Dudley's old clothes. He held out a hand from one of the folds, and it appeared mid-air. Harry held back a giggle with effort. Then, he slowly approached the bed, ready to attack.

Severus's eyes opened. "And what are you doing, little fox?"

"Er...planning to tickle you awake?" Harry asked, feeling sheepish. "You had said I could try..."

He snorted. Or maybe, it was a deep chuckle. "I did. Unfortunately, it won't be today, as you already woke me up."

Harry pulled off the cloak. "I did? I thought I was quiet."

"Put that back over the chair, owlet, and join me," his guardian urged, yawning.

Harry obeyed, oddly grateful to be...caught. "I really did think I was quiet," he said, once Severus's warm arms were around him, and the deliciously warm and soft blankets enveloped him.

"Oh, you were," Severus assured him. "Far more quiet than I would have expected. But, my fox, I have been a spy, and I am a teacher. It's part of my job to be extra aware of sneaky children."

He punctuated the last part with a light tickle against Harry's side.

"Like having eyes on the back of your head?" Harry asked.

"Precisely." Severus held him closer.

"Would you have been mad?" Harry pressed. "If I had managed, I mean."

"No. I would have been rather proud if you had managed." He smiled. "You may take that as a challenge, if you like."

"Mmm." Harry nestled in closer. "Maybe tomorrow."

His dad kissed the top of his head. "I shall be on guard."

"Unless," Harry added, "I said that to fool you."

"Ahhh. Very smart!" he praised, then released one hand to pull the blankets more tightly around them.

Harry felt his eyes close as warmth and comfort surrounded him. On their own, his eyes began to close.

Several hours later, Harry sat with his dad and the rest of the staff on their assigned benches at the Quidditch pitch. The rest of the benches were divided by house, although Severus had explained it wasn't strictly required for all students to sit with their housemates.

Perhaps it was because it was the first match of the season, or the anticipation of seeing whether Gryffindor would beat Slytherin for the first time in four years. It seemed to Harry that the benches which contained Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were just as packed as Gryffindor and Slytherin. Many students from the competing houses even held signs--only they were actually enchanted! One sign contained a lion that actually roared and moved! Another sign held a frightening snake that hissed and walked back and forth. When Harry tugged at his guardian's arm to point them out, the older man just laughed.

"Quite typical for a first match. Regardless of who wins, the spectacle will go down a bit. Gryffindor and Slytherin compete more fiercely than any of the other houses," Severus explained. "Isn't that right, Minerva?"

Unlike his dad, who wore his usual black robes and black cloak, the head of Gryffindor had dressed entirely in red and gold.

"Indeed!" she replied, rather brusquely, but softened when she saw Harry. "Excited for your first match? That will be you out there, before long, I dare say!"

Severus wrapped both arms around Harry in an uncharacteristic--in public, anyway--display of affection. Harry let himself relax into the familiar embrace, nearly missing his dad's response.

"I've still a few years before he's sorted, and another couple until he's on a team. By then, he'll be more than ready to take on Gryffindor, even if Harry doesn't end up in my house," he determined.

The teacher chuckled. "With how he flies, I wouldn't be surprised if Harry makes reserve in his first year. Mind you, Severus, much depends on what positions are available."

"Of course," his guardian agreed. "One advantage and disadvantage to bringing on new talent early is that a great many of positions can be vacant at once. Not," he added, with a laugh, "that it's prevented Slytherin from thoroughly trouncing you these last four years."

As they engaged in more banter, Harry occupied himself by watching the pitch and the stands. It became more crowded, and rowdy, as the minutes passed. Soon, a male student wearing the usual black robes came to the commentator's spot.

There was an immediate silence as, Harry quickly saw, the two teams began to file in. Madam Hooch had been in the middle, but she strode past the teams to the front.

They mounted their brooms and flew into their positions, except for two. A blonde girl with a very long braid hovered on the Gryffindor side, while a boy who stood more than a head over her on the Slytherin side. Harry was close enough to see their intense, almost angry, expressions. They shook hands, and then the girl grimaced.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the first Quidditch match of the season. Now, I want a good, clean match, you hear?" She fixed her gaze at Slytherin, and there was a series of cheers and boos. She raised her hands, and they didn't quite cease, but certainly died down. "On your mark..."

She blew her whistle, and the game began. Harry watched as Madam Hooch moved towards the stands, and then the girl commentator began.

"As Madam Hooch said, this is the first match of the season, and much anticipated. Both Gryffindor and Slytherin have had a number of spots to fill, with the graduation of half of their teams last year. As newly appointed Captain, Horace Boggs chose Marcus Flint as one of the Chasers. As you can see, he's eager to live up to the reputation of his predecessors. Already, he's seized the Quaffle, and making his way to score--oh, and just narrowly missed being hit by a Bludger! Argus Willowby, one of the newest Beaters for Gryffindor, just aimed that one towards Flint. Nice one, Willowby! As you can see, Gryffindor's newest Chaser, Hannah Smith, just took possession of the Quaffle, and is headed to the Slytherin goalpost. Will she score? No! Just intercepted by fifth year Slytherin Chaser, Martin McDowell."

Harry was glad for the commentary, and rather amazed that she could keep up with it all. Perhaps it was because they used broomsticks, or he'd never seen a sports game, but it seemed like no sooner had one move gone down than there was another one to keep track of.

Severus squeezed his shoulders. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked softly.

Harry nodded, too entranced to say anything. His dad chuckled and gave his shoulders another squeeze before wrapping an arm around his frame. Harry felt a spark of gratitude and warmth towards his guardian.

Fifteen minutes in, he still couldn't keep track of who was who, but he knew Slytherin was in the lead. His dad smiled every time they scored. This happened five times, and Gryffindor three.

It was especially loud whenever a team scored. Slytherin was a bit noisier, Harry thought. Once, a goal scored by Slytherin distracted the Slytherin Seeker from her pursuit of the Snitch, which couldn't have been more than a few yards away.

More shouts followed, including some murmurs from Harry's dad. When he turned around, the man's face reddened a bit.

"Er, enjoying yourself?" Severus asked.

Harry nodded. "It's sort of hard to keep track of everything," he admitted.

"Oh, that's understandable. Takes a few games to get a good idea. Perhaps, over the summer holidays, we can see a local game," he added, with a smile. "Would you like that?"

"I think so," he said, softly.

His dad patted his shoulders. "Good. Now...ohh, that must sting!"

Harry turned his head around to see one of the Beaters trying to regain her grip on her broomstick.

"Bludger nearly knocked her off. Good thing she didn't fall," Severus murmured.

"Will she be all right?"

The Beater managed to get a hold on her broomstick, and swung her legs over it. Cheers erupted from the stands, and she acknowledged them with a wave.

Harry and his guardian let out relieved sighs.

In that time, though, Gryffindor scored twice. The distraction of the Slytherin Beater made the Chasers fly closer to her, leaving the pathway to the Quaffle open. As there were three goal posts to guard, Harry thought, it must have been difficult to keep the ball out.

"And we've tied, fifty to fifty!" the commentator announced. "It's turning out to be an exciting match. Don't forget, Slytherin took home the Cup the last four years straight, using some moves that the other houses would consider to be foul play." Boos echoed these words. "They're playing a good game without using any of those moves this time, so it might come down to whether Charlie Weasley or Carpathia Higgs can catch the Snitch first. No sign of it since Higgs's last attempt!"

This was certainly true. The tiny, winged ball had all but vanished from sight. Unlike the Quaffle and the Bludgers, which were far larger and easier to see.

"Weasley, as you may recall, landed his spot on Gryffindor as a Seeker in his second year. Thought to be the best player on the team, he still hasn't scored a win. Miss Higgs, on the other hand, was just a reserve last year. She played in the final match against Ravenclaw, and helped to secure their six hundred and twenty point win in the house cup. Oh, and it appears that Flint has taken hold of the Quaffle once more!"

While true, one of the Gryffindor Beaters had just taken hold of his club, and aimed it in the direction of Flint. Not towards his face--he was near enough to the stands that Harry could see--but enough to injure his leg. Remembering when Aunt Marge had whacked his own leg with her cane, Harry winced and hoped Flint would get out of the way.

He did, but lost possession of the Quaffle. In the same moment that a Gryffindor Chaser seized it, a flash of gold appeared, and then Charlie Weasley's hand closing over it.

"WEASLEY CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" the commentator yelled. "Weasley secured his first win for Gryffindor of the year! Gryffindor wins at two hundred to fifty!"

The players flew down to the ground. Gryffindor looked elated, Slytherin furious. Harry felt his dad's arms drop from around him, and wondered if his expression would wear similar fury. When he chanced a glance at him, the older man sighed.

"Well, it's not entirely over for Slytherin. Gryffindor still has to win against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," he said, forcing a smile. "I need to join Minerva and then give the team a talk. You'll wait here, all right?"

"I will," Harry promised. "You--you aren't angry, are you?"

"Not at you. But I am rather less than pleased with how they played," Severus replied. "I dare say they are far too used to illegal moves, and couldn't win fairly. Then again, Weasley's win came out of nowhere...never mind. We can go over the fine points after we're in the castle, if you like?"

Harry nodded eagerly, making his dad smile, and after a quick hug, Severus strode to the pitch, leaving Harry in the stands. He wasn't worried, not when his dad and the teams disappeared into the changing rooms, followed by a jubilant Professor McGonagall. Harry tried not to smile at the looks on some of the faces of the students staring at her. Like his dad, she must have a reputation for being rather sour faced.

Perhaps it was because the last chase by Dudley's gang had been over four months ago, or his old life at Privet Drive now felt like...well, almost another life. But when a small group of students came up to him, alarm bells didn't go off. Not until their expressions turned sour.

"Liked seeing us lose for the first time in four years?" a red haired girl snarled at him. "It's your fault, you know."

"M-my fault?" Harry echoed.

She glared at him. "Yeah. Yours. My sister, Carpathia, is the Seeker. Unless Professor Snape throws her off the team. Been working for years to get on the team, she was. Thanks to you, she lost. We ALL lost," she finished, pointedly.

"Yeah. You're as good as in Slytherin," a boy snarled, who stood a head above her, "but your daddy made the team play nice, like a bunch of Hufflepuffs."

"Ickle wickle Harry Potter can't handle a few broken bones!" growled the redhead.

"Can he handle a fist in the mouth?" sneered another girl. "Or a good Stinging Hex?"

Harry felt his vision blur. "No, please, don't!"

The sneering continued, and more than a couple of them raised their wands. Harry was torn between wanting to cover his face and crouch down as low as possible--this used to deflect the worst of the blows from Dudley--and a desperate attempt to run. Except, they had surrendered him, leaving Harry no way to bolt without ramming into their bodies. And they were so tall...

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

At first, Harry thought it was his dad, but when the crowd stepped aside, just a bit, Harry saw a girl with brown hair racing towards them. She was still in her cloak, as were all seven girls behind her. Best of all, Harry realized, they all had their wands raised.

He felt marginally better.

"Aw, Tonks, we were just teasing him," one of the boys said, stepping back. "Right, Harry?"

Harry stared at the ground. Protectively, the girl swooped forward, and pulled him to her side. She even put an arm around his shoulders.

"Have you gone stark raving mad?" the girl--Tonks--growled. "I can't stand Snape, but I would jump into the lake stark naked in the middle of winter before threatening his son!"

A couple of the girls with Tonks giggled, and they formed a protective circle around her...and around Harry. He could see them glaring at the Slytherin students.

"We weren't going to DO anything!" another boy echoed.

"Threatening is more than enough," a brown haired girl shot back. "Harry, dear, they didn't touch you, did they?"

"N-no," Harry stammered.

"And just what is going on?"

It was Severus, his voice very soft, but somehow different from how he usually spoke to Harry.

"I came over to this lot surrounding your ward, sir, and their wands raised at him," Tonks explained, and her friends all nodded. "I gave them an earful."

"She's lying!"

"Oh? You were not threatening my son?" Severus returned, just as softly.

"We didn't hex him! Sir," he added.

He stared at them, taking all of them in. "My office," he hissed. "Immediately!"

They scampered.

Tonks and her friends remained where they stood. Tonks squeezed Harry's shoulders. He didn't exactly need the comfort--his dad was here, after all--but he felt a bit warmer inside, all the same.

"Miss Tonks," Severus began, his voice normal. "You will be awarded twenty points for speaking up and preventing any...potential harm." He glanced at the others. "And five points apiece for the rest of you for your Hufflepuff show of support." As they murmured to themselves, he turned to Harry, who still felt quite shaken.

"Harry," he said, all anger removed from his voice. "Are you all right? Did they do anything before Tonks and her friends arrived?"

"T-they didn't hit me or anything like that," Harry began, shakily, "but they crowded over me and threatened to hex me. H-had their wands raised, and I couldn't escape." Harry let out another breath. "It felt like Dudley's gang all over again."

"They had him surrounded, sir," one of the girls added. "He couldn't even try to run."

Severus looked furious for a moment, but immediately softened his features as he enveloped Harry into a long hug. Harry didn't want him to let go, but too soon, he did.

"We'll discuss this further after I deal with my wayward snakes," he promised, wiping away the tears that had already begun to dry. Harry must have looked confused, because Severus added, "You are not in trouble. Not one bit. I wish to explain further what might have concerned you, child...But I can't allow them to remain waiting for their punishment for too long. A bit of suspense is one thing, but they might be foolish enough to leave if I don't return."

"Oh." Harry nodded, understanding. "Should I go back to the quarters alone?"

Severus shook his head. Placing a hand on his shoulders, he spoke again.

"Miss Tonks, if you would be so kind as to escort Harry back inside and locate your head of house to bring Harry to our quarters?" he asked, except he wasn't really asking.

Tonks fixed them a confused look. Or, perhaps, it was a contemplative one.

"Sir, if you don't mind, I can just take Harry to the library and watch him until you return. It's only that Professor Sprout might be hard to track down. She mentioned a delivery of some highly dangerous plant..." Tonks shrugged. "But I can try to find her, if you think it's best."

"No, you needn't bother," Severus replied, in a voice not unlike that which he used with Harry. Even if he was frowning, just then. He glanced at Harry, then at the girls, and gave a slight nod. "Very well. I expect the library will be fine, provided you and at least a couple of your roommates remain with him."

"We will, sir," a couple of the girls volunteered, as Tonks nodded.

Severus gave them another, quicker, nod. "I shall return shortly, then."

After giving Harry another hug, he set off in a brisk manner. Tonks held out her hand, and Harry accepted it, pleased that despite the chill in the air, her hand was warm.

As the group of girls walked, they fell into chatter. Harry would have thought they would talk about what had just happened, but maybe they were saving it for when Harry wasn't there. He didn't know how old they were, but he could tell they were quite a bit taller than Harry, even if they were still at least a head shorter than his dad. He didn't speak, just let the talk flow over him. Tonks added her thoughts to the matter--something to do with lessons he had never heard of--and when they entered the castle, a few of the girls went off to their tower, while Tonks and three others headed to the library.

"You ever been to the library before, Harry?" asked one.

"A few times," Harry answered. "I love the books, but not so much having to be so quiet."

They all giggled at this.

"Madam Pince can be a real stickler for that! There are charms you can use so you can have a proper conversation without bothering anyone, but they're quite advanced," the same girl said. "I'm Becky, by the way. Becky Harper."

Harry extended a hand, which she took.

Then, the other two introduced themselves. One was Polly Roberts, and the other was Morwenna Selwyn.

"We're all fifth year students, so we'll likely see you around for the next couple of years," Becky explained, "but by the time you're Sorted, we'll no longer be students."

They entered the library, still talking, but at a much lower volume.

"What do you want to do after school?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"If my marks are good enough, I want to enter Auror training," Tonks began, sitting at a long table. Her friends followed her, leaving a space open so Harry could sit beside her. "Only, it's really hard to get in, and only harder as you go. But it's important work. Er, sort of like a Muggle cop?" she added, seeing Harry's confused look. "Except we fight with wands instead of guns, and the criminals are dark wizards."

"Like Death Eaters?" Harry remembered the term.

Tonks nodded. "They're supposed to all be in Azkaban--that's our prison--but my mum and dad reckon a good deal aren't. Besides, you can be plenty rotten and not have followed You Know Who."

You Who Who? Unless they meant...

"You mean the Dark Lord?"

The girls exchanged glances.

"Er, yeah. I reckon most people call him You Know Who or He Who Must Not Be Named, though," Tonks explained. "As long as you don't actually say his name, though..." She shrugged.

"I prefer You Know Who," Morwenna chimed in. "It's shorter. Gives him less attention, too."

Becky giggled. "I only use the other if I'm including him in an essay for History of Magic. Takes up more space."

"That's always a good reason!" Polly snickered. "So, Harry, what's it like having Professor Snape as your guardian?"

Harry grinned, feeling his mood truly lift. "He's great."

If they were going to say more, though, Harry didn't know. Severus arrived, still looking serious, but Harry jumped to his feet and ran to him.

Chuckling a bit, he hugged Harry, holding him close. "Miss me?" he asked, softly.

Harry nodded, suddenly feeling a bit shy.

Severus turned him around, but kept both hands on his shoulders.

"I appreciate your looking after my child, Miss Tonks," he said, a bit more stiffly. "As well as you, Miss Harper, Roberts, and Selwyn. I don't believe it will be strictly necessary in the future, but I am grateful for your...intervention."

"It's no trouble, sir. Really," Tonks assured him. "No one should threaten a kid like that."

"We are in utter agreement." Severus paused. "If those wayward snakes of mine ever cause any more harm..." Harry felt his guardian's hands tighten on his shoulders, briefly, before resuming their stance. "Again, my thanks. Harry, owlet, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Dad," Harry answered, turning to him. Then, facing the girls, he added, "Thank you. And thanks for taking me to the library!"

Tonks grinned. "See you around, Harry!"

They left the library, and walked down the corridors until they reached their quarters.

Severus removed his cloak, which prompted Harry to remove his. After putting them aside, he wrapped Harry in his arms.

"I'm so sorry those wretched students hurt you," Severus murmured, still holding Harry close.

"T-they didn't touch me," Harry countered.

"They threatened you, surrounded you, even aimed their wands at you. In my book, child, that's harming you. Do you understand?" As they spoke, Severus guided Harry to the sofa, and placed him into his lap.

Sitting comfortably, yet positioned so that he could see his guardian's face, Harry nodded.

Had they planned to hurt him, truly? Or just meant to scare him? Then again, sometimes Dudley's gang started off trying to do one, and ending up the latter.

Bullies could be hard to predict.

"What will happen to them?" Harry asked, a little scared.

"They will serve detention for a month. With Filch. I plan to have him assign them the most unpleasant tasks. Including emptying bedpans." He chuckled as Harry wrinkled his nose. "I didn't revoke their Hogsmeade privileges this time. If they so much as breathe out of turn..." Severus squeezed Harry's hand. "I need you to promise to tell me if anything untoward happens in the future."

"Untoward? What's that?"

"If there's any repeat of today's events. Even to a lesser extent. Harry, I don't know what house you will be sorted into. That's still a few years off. Those students are likely to graduate by then, provided they're not held back." He sighed. "I hope that they will serve as an example to others. You deserve to watch a Quidditch game without being threatened."

Harry nodded. "I didn't think anyone would hurt me...here."

"I will do my utmost to ensure that doesn't happen, and anyone foolish to do so will receive a similar punishment," Severus promised. "That, and my immense displeasure, should be disincentive enough."

"I hope so," Harry murmured, resting his head against his guardian's shoulders.

"I do wish," his guardian murmured, as he began to run a hand through Harry's hair, "that I hadn't had to award so many points to Hufflepuff. But after Gryffindor trounced us, I suppose that's better than a gaggle of Gryffindor girls arriving to your aid."

Harry had to laugh. Then, he sobered, remembering what the Slytherins had said.

"Dad?" At his guardian's nod, he went on. "The Slytherin kids said it was my fault. I was too weak to handle the way Slytherin normally plays, so you made them change and lose. Is it true?"

"No." Severus shook his head as he spoke. "They lost because Charlie Weasley caught the Snitch. That's all. Besides," he added, and Harry thought his guardian sounded sheepish, "I rather was in the wrong for allowing them leniency in the past. That was my fault, not yours for it ending." He sighed. "I will have more words with the team, and with my students. Even if they had scored no points, they had no right to threaten you."

Harry felt his eyes close, as much from relief as from the excitement of the morning. And early afternoon, he supposed. It was probably almost time for lunch, but he felt so comfortable that he didn't want to move.

Realizing this, his dad Summoned his favorite blanket, and wrapped it around them. After doing a bit of moving, they both lay down on the couch, with Harry wrapped as warmly in his dad's arms as in the heated blanket.

"After we have a good rest, we'll have a late lunch, a good fire, and perhaps some popcorn. How would you like that, owlet?" Severus asked, softly.

Harry tried to answer, or thought he did. But his eyes felt so heavy.

He knew, though, that he was safe.

Author's note: I hadn't intended to include a bullying scene, and I HAD intended to introduce Tonks earlier. Her initial appearance was to take place within the beginning of the term, with Harry getting lost and her helping him find his way back to Snape's quarters. Never ended up completing that scene, so she got put aside for the time being.

I think this turned out better. Inspiration can be a funny thing! Tonks has struck me as one of those characters who stands up for the bullied, and seeing Harry surrounded by Slytherins is going to make her go full on "Mama bear." (I don't think it's OOC for at least a few Slytherin students to react to the loss with anger, and Harry being there...well, you saw the result.)

One silver lining will be that Snape will end up being a lot less tolerant regarding his snakes bullying others. (The unofficial policy, up until this point, was not to get caught in the act.) Not that every Slytherin will suddenly become nice, but they won't get away with being insufferable in class or in the corridors.

Next up: Severus and Harry use the invisibility cloak again, and Harry learns a bit about one of James Potter's friends. (The two might not seem connected, but if you pay close attention, you might be able to figure out what they use the cloak for!)