As Potter is to Snape

Chapter 14

The next week seemed to fly by for Harry and Snape. Harry had finished out his grounding on Saturday and had immediately asked to visit Hagrid, which Snape had allowed him to do if for no other reason than the fact that he, too, was glad for some peace and quiet away from the boy. On Sunday, Harry had visited the owlery and spent a great deal of time with Hedwig, who after voicing her displeasure with him by pecking him repeatedly on the top of his head, finally settled down and allowed him to pet her.

He had written letters to both Ron and Hermione, letting them know that he wasn't with the Dursleys anymore but that he was safe and he would explain exactly where he was when he saw them next. Harry knew that neither of them would likely be satisfied with being kept in the dark but Snape had made him promise not to tell anyone. He didn't want to risk anyone recognizing Hedwig and getting a hold of the letters.

Tuesday had marked three weeks that Harry had been living with Snape and though neither would admit it, they had settled into a routine and there seemed to have been some sort of truce between them. Except for the times that he had gotten into trouble, (and even Harry could admit that those times he had at least deserved it,) Snape hadn't said or done anything particularly nasty to him. Harry rather thought that it was a considerable step up from the alternative of facing every day with his aunt and uncle. At least Snape had so far kept his word and hadn't hurt him. For that, Harry was thankful. He still wasn't sure that Snape wasn't just lulling him into a false sense of security though, and so he was determined to keep his guard up at all times. He had made the mistake of lowering it around adults one too many times and had paid dearly for it.

On Thursday, they had breakfast again with Professor McGonagall, this time in her and Dumbledore's quarters. When they had finished eating, and after Harry had gotten every possible story about a teenage Snape that he could convince McGonagall and Dumbledore to tell him, Harry asked if he could head back to their quarters early so that he could finish his last summer assignment. Snape had promised that if he finished it today, he would allow him to help out in the lab again and Harry was surprisingly eager to do so.

"You may," Snape agreed with a nod, "but only if you take the floo from here. I don't want you wandering around the castle alone."

Harry stood up and pushed his chair back under the table. "I wouldn't wander. Besides I don't think that Sirius Black is going to be hanging around the hallways just waiting to jump out at me."

The look that Snape gave him clearly said that he wasn't amused. "Either take the floo or wait for me, Potter. It's up to you."

"Alright, fine," Harry said as he held up his hands in surrender. "I'll take the floo. Just calm down, Snape. We wouldn't want anyone to think you care what happens to me, would we?"

Snape was halfway out of his chair before Harry ran from the room. A moment later they heard the floo roar to life and Snape sat back down with a shake of his head. He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip before he realized that both his adopted parents were looking at him with smiles on their faces.

"What?" He asked, lowering his cup once more.

"Nothing." Minerva said as she continued to smile fondly at him, "I've just never seen him act so at ease with an adult before."

"That's precisely what I was thinking," Albus added. "It's almost as if Harry is beginning to feel comfortable around you, Severus."

"Dad," Snape started but was interrupted.

"All I'm saying is that it appears that Harry is starting to realize that he doesn't need to be afraid around you anymore."

Snape rolled his eyes. "Maybe that's why he has taken to that insufferable whining lately. Don't most children grow out of that by the time they're his age?"