In Family, There is Strength

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

Harry looked up as Snape entered the room. They hadn't really spoken since yesterday when Harry had yelled at him. I'm surprised he hasn't murdered me, he thought wryly. Or at least make me clean cauldrons or something. "Good morning, sir."

"Good Morning, Potter."

Harry glanced back at him. There was something different...

"Why are you staring at me?" Snape asked in irritation as they sat for breakfast.

"Ah, sorry sir," Harry said quickly. What was different? Hmm, he wasn't...

"You're not greasy!" Harry blurted out.

"Excuse me?" Snape snapped.

Harry flushed. "Um, uh, you don't look...your hair and face aren't...you know...greasy," He finished weakly. He gulped pumpkin juice to keep him from talking.

"Of course not," Snape said irritably.

"But at school-"

"At school, I work with dangerous potions all day long," Snape said. "Doesn't it make sense that I would wear a protectant on my hair and face?"

"Oh," Harry nodded. "Yeah, it does. If everyone knew that then maybe they wouldn't be so afraid of you."

"You won't say a word," Snape warned. "The fact that it makes the students fear me is a bonus."

"Oh." Harry stifled a laugh.

"I need to speak with you about something," Snape said after a few minutes of eating.

"Did I do something to upset you?" Harry asked, wary of the serious tone.

"I don't know, did you?"

"Wouldn't surprise me," Harry muttered. "So what is it?"

"My godson is going to be staying here. He needs protection."

Harry blinked. "I didn't know you had a godson."

"It's Draco," Snape told him.

"What?!"

Snape nearly smiled at the reaction, identical to Draco's. "The dark lord wants to punish Lucius for his failure to get the prophecy. He will use Draco, and Lucius will happily offer his son up. Narcissa Malfoy has asked me to protect him."

"Oh," Harry said. He sighed. "So am I to go back to Hogwarts? If you intend to send me to my relatives, I won't go. If you force me to, I won't stay there." His voice was resigned.

"No, you foolish boy. You are not going anywhere," Snape said in an exasperated voice. "I do, however, expect you and Draco to try and get along."

Harry looked away. He knew how this would go. Draco would be like Dudley and lie to get him into trouble and Snape would of course side with him. Wonderful.

"Tell me what you are thinking," Snape ordered.

"Nothing," Harry said tonelessly. "I'm done eating. I'll be in my room."

"No, you have not eaten nearly enough and you will tell me what you are thinking," Snape said. When Potter didn't respond, he growled softly. "Look at me, Mr. Potter."

Harry raised his eyes to his reluctantly and Snape winced at the pain in them. He read the boy's surface thoughts and sighed. "It will not be like your home life, Potter. I will not favor Draco over you," he said quietly.