All belongs to J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

Chapter 15

A Very Weasley Welcome

Harry awoke to dull sunlight filtering through the gap in his curtains. The room seemed considerably lighter than usual though, and he rolled over to find his lamp still on and, lo and behold, Snape still in the chair by his bed. The professor had an elbow against the bedside table, his head leaning into his hand with his eyes still closed.

Harry pulled his covers back quietly and sat up, kneeling on his bed as he looked closely at the professor. The man looked different like this. He didn't have that tense, tight look on his face like he usually did. Harry leaned in a bit closer, his face only a foot away from Snape's.

The man sure did have a huge nose though, he had never quite noticed that until now…

'Are you quite finished, Mr Potter?'

Harry sank back down against his heels in surprise as Snape flicked his eyes open and fixed them on him.

'Oh, I thought you were asleep,' Harry stated sheepishly.

'I always have one eye on you, Potter, just remember that,' Snape warned lightly as he got up from his seat and moved it back underneath the desk.

'Up and dressed, Potter, five minutes,' and with that Snape swept from the room looking all business again.

'And… and that's when I woke up and came to see you,' Harry finished the retelling of his nightmare to Snape. 'When the man with the two faces said my name, that's when I woke up,' he reiterated again.

Harry sat back against his chair at the table and began to fiddle with the bottom of his t-shirt as Snape continued to sit silently, his eyes penetrating into Harry. Harry didn't like the silence that ensued. He still felt quite unsettled from the dream and he wanted something to distract him from seeing that awful, pale, red-eyed face staring at him.

'Sir, I think it was just a nightmare, I don't think it means anything,' Harry said softly as the professor continued to sit in silence, his brows furrowed in intense contemplation.

'Perhaps, Potter, perhaps,' Snape answered, still looking at Harry as if he were scrutinizing the deepest depths of his soul.

'What do you mean, perhaps?' Harry stated. 'It's not something that would actually happen. What kind of person has a face on the back on their head?'

Harry noticed Snape stiffen, drumming his fingers against the surface of the table. He looked as if he were weighing up a dilemma in his mind but just as swiftly he changed form, standing up abruptly and motioning to Harry with his hand.

'Go into the living room, I'll be there in a moment to start our lesson for the day.'

'Yes Sir,' Harry nodded. Despite the professor not answering his question he was more than happy to leave the table and the conversation behind him.

Snape held back in the kitchen for a few moments. Things were turning serious - there were weighty decisions needing to be made and he was not going to be the one to make them.

The morning sped along as Harry was kept busy learning and controlling several new spells, including a tricky little shrinking charm which Snape keenly demonstrated by using one of Harry's treasured dragon figures. Harry looked on, his face dropping instantly, as his dragon was reduced to the size of a fingernail and left that way unless he could 'un-shrink' it himself in the way that Snape had demonstrated ten minutes before.

Snape seemed to be back in favour of pushing Harry hard, staying throughout the lesson to instruct further. Several times Harry's concentration wavered, mostly due to his mind wandering back to the image of the two faced man in his dream, causing his spell work to either be lackluster in effort or, a couple of times, wild and out of control.

Each time he'd been brought back to reality by a sharp scolding from Snape, the last occurrence including a threat of punishment as Harry inadvertently sent a shrinking charm towards his own feet causing his socks to shrink painfully until Snape casually countered the spell with a flick of his wand and a clear smirk on his face.

'If you cannot focus, Potter, then perhaps some time spent in the corner maybe needed. It's amazing how looking at a wall for a length of time can focus the mind. I would be quite happy to put you there for half an hour or more if needed. What do you say?' He asked silkily.

'No, I'll concentrate, Sir,' Harry insisted immediately, wriggling his toes trying to dispel the pins and needles that lingered. He'd only had one previous experience of being put in the corner and it was not fun at all.

'See that you do or you will be there for the rest of the morning, understood?'

Harry nodded quickly and got back on task, Snape's warning having the desired effect.

Days ago, the stern rebukes and warnings from the man would have unsettled and intimidated Harry to the core. Now, however, Harry had begun to come to terms with the situation and increased his confidence in his magical ability so he began to want to prove to the man that he could live up to his expectations instead of just wanting to run from the room. After all, although the professor was stern and strict with him he had done some nice things too – like staying with him all night and tucking him in.

Snape was pleased to see that the boy took heed of his warning quickly. Over the past few days he had found himself inexplicably doing things that no feared potion master should be caught dead doing and Snape had begun to wonder whether this had impacted on the boy's view of him. It seemed though that Potter still had a healthy sense of his authority over him.

He hadn't really planned on staying all night in the boy's room but the previous evenings had taken their toll and he'd succumbed to staying in his seat all night, drifting in and out of sleep, waiting for the boy to wake up in icy sweat and cry out.

After the morning's magic session, which was mostly hit and miss due to Harry's mind wandering half the time, Snape had every intention of a full afternoon of memory work. This plan was interrupted however after a mere half an hour as an owl arrived bearing a letter addressed to him with a return name on the back of Mrs Molly Weasley.

'Wow! Is this how all wizards get their mail?' Harry asked excitedly as he hopped up from his seat on the sofa to get a better look at the snowy white owl which had perched itself on the opposite end of the sofa and was looking back at him intently.

'Sit down, Potter. We're not finished yet,' Snape ordered abruptly.

'I just want to see if I can pet it,' Harry said, reaching out a hand towards the bird.

'I said no!' Snape snapped as he ripped open the letter. 'Sit down and wait.'

Harry sat back down with a huff and a sour look on his face as Snape's eyes returned to the letter.

Dear Severus,

I hope that this correspondence finds both you and Harry well. I have been made well aware of Harry's situation from Dumbledore (and from my son Ron of course) and I dearly hope that things are progressing well.

Upon discussion with Dumbledore I would like to extend an invite to you and Harry to come to The Burrow tomorrow for afternoon tea. Dumbledore thought it would be a good idea to have Harry re-introduced to Ron as it may trigger something for him. I also think it will be good for him to take some time out from what I'm sure is a busy schedule.

Dumbledore has warned us that no mention is to be made of 'you know who' and the circumstances behind Lily and James' death and myself and Arthur will ensure to impress this into the children (especially Ron) before you arrive tomorrow.

Hope you can join us. Please send Hedwig back with your reply as soon as possible.

(As you can see, Dumbledore has entrusted Hedwig to us to look after for Harry).

Yours in good faith,

Molly Weasley

Snape's eyes flicked up and he found the owl nibbling affectionately on Harry's fingers.

'Potter!'

'I didn't move, the owl did!' Harry insisted with a mischievous look on his face.

Snape gave Harry a warning glare but then moved his attention back to the letter again.

'Whose it from?' Harry asked after a moment, stroking the back of the owl's head. 'Is someone coming to visit?' he added suddenly, a hopeful expression crossing his face.

'Am I not good enough for you, Mr Potter?' Snape questioned silkily.

'Oh no, I didn't mean that… I just meant…' Harry faltered, missing the sarcasm in Snape's tone and thinking he had insulted the man.

'No one is coming to visit,' Snape said firmly. Harry's face fell.

For a moment Snape considered scrunching the note up and disregarding it but he knew that the implications of that would be Dumbledore breathing down his neck. No, he would have to follow through on the invite but Potter was going to be kept on a short leash while there – who knew what the Weasley boy may blurt out leaving him to clean up the mess.

'Well, whose it from then?' Harry pressed again.

'We have an invite to afternoon tea tomorrow at the Weasley home,' Snape answered dryly.

'Weasley?' Harry repeated, looking thoughtful before… 'Oh, my friend in the photo!'

'That would be it,' Snape nodded bleakly, looking highly unimpressed at Harry's sudden excitement.

'Will my other friend be there too? The girl… Herninnie?'

Snape smirked, 'No, I do not think Herninnie will be there, Potter.'

'Oh, well I'll get to meet Ron at least. I might be able to remember him when I see him, mightn't I?'

'It is a possibility, though doubtful from what we have seen so far,' Snape answered.

'Oh, I can't wait,' Harry cried, jubilantly despite Snape's negativity, 'even if I can't remember him.'

'Hmm, well I need to send a reply, Potter, so you may amuse yourself for a while,' Snape said as he moved off towards the door before turning back abruptly.

'Out!' he said to Hedwig who hooted indignantly but flew from the room to wait outside.

'What are we doing up here?' Harry asked as he stood in the middle of Snape's study, pulling at the collar of his shirt and casting his eyes around the room inquisitively.

'We are flooing to the Weasleys,' Snape answered distractedly as he pulled open a draw of his desk and retrieved a small, green ceramic jar.

'Flooing?' Harry repeated, screwing his face up. 'What's that mean? Can't we just pop…I mean apparate?'

Snape stood up straight, closing his desk drawer with a snap.

'Flooing is a means of transportation via a person's fireplace to an interconnecting one. I think it best for us to arrive without you looking faint and about to collapse on the ground as you did the last time we apparated. Come here,' Snape said firmly, motioning to Harry.

'Then…what? We go into the fireplace?' Harry asked tentatively.

'Yes,' Snape answered.

'And…what?'

'We get transported through to the Weasleys' fireplace, Potter, now enough questions, you are worse than a two year old!' Snape snapped, 'and do that button up,' he added sternly, flicking his fingers towards the top of Harry's shirt, 'I will not have you arriving as a guest looking like a vagrant.'

'Does it hurt?' Harry asked worriedly as he fumbled with the button that had come undone.

'Of course not,' Snape scoffed at the question, 'why would we do something if it intentionally harmed us, Potter?'

Harry shrugged, still fumbling with the button until Snape intercepted, batting his hands away and doing the button up himself.

'Honestly, at your age you should be able to dress yourself!'

'I can!' Harry said indignantly. 'The button just kept getting stuck… I don't think the buttonhole's big enough.'

'How you got yourself up and ready for class in the morning at school, Potter, is beyond my comprehension,' Snape said, shaking his head in impatience. 'There,' he said, fixing the button into its hole and then pulling Harry over towards the large fireplace and levelling with a sudden firm glare.

'Now, before we go through I want to make one thing very clear – you are in my guardianship at the moment, you are to behave yourself, understood?'

'Why wouldn't I?' Harry said a little indignantly.

'Because you may not remember, Potter, but I have very clear recollections of the trouble you get into when you get with that Mr Weasley. Just remember what I said about always having one eye on you. Do not misbehave.'

'I won't,' Harry insisted, slightly cross that the man seemed to think so little of him, but then again maybe he had reason to after what the professor kept saying about how much trouble he'd been at school.

'Alright then,' Snape nodded seeming satisfied. He pushed Harry into the fireplace and Harry watched intently as Snape took a handful of powder from the ceramic container and then stepped into the fireplace beside him.

'Hold onto me, Potter, tightly,' Snape instructed. He expected the boy to grip his arm like he had done back in the infirmary when they had apparated, but instead the boy clutched him around the waist in a kind of sideways hug.

Snape sniffed, looking down to the top of the boy's head, then without further ado threw the powder down pronouncing clearly, 'The Burrow!'

Harry felt like he was being sucked down a long, narrow tube. He shut his eyes tight and held his breath, holding Snape's waist with fingers gripping the man's shirt. A few seconds later he was thrust out of another fireplace and opened his eyes to see a patchwork rug appearing beneath his feet.

'Oh, here you are!' A woman said in a warm, welcoming voice and Harry looked up to see a smiling, plump, red-haired lady advancing towards them.

'Harry, dear, so glad to see you!' she said, holding her arms out and before Harry could do anything else she had enveloped him in a full-scale hug. He felt a little smothered, but at the same time he couldn't help but smile a little as she released him and patted him softly on the cheek.

'Hi,' Harry said shyly.

'Of course you don't remember me dear. No need to be shy, I'm Mrs Weasley.'

Harry nodded and the plump, red-haired lady turned to Snape.

'Severus, how are you? It's been a while since I've seen you. I'm so glad you and Harry could make it,' Mrs Weasley said warmly.

'Molly,' Snape acknowledged dryly, his eyes casting around the room which was mismatched in every possible way.

It was the complete opposite of Snape's home which only had the barest of furniture and necessities; this house was cluttered from wall to wall with trinkets, books, pictures and a lot of things Harry couldn't make head nor tail of.

'Where's the rest of your brood?' Snape asked, turning back to Mrs Weasley. 'I would have thought they'd be down here the instant Potter arrived.'

A sudden rumble of footsteps could be heard from above and a few seconds later the room began to fill with equally red-headed children.

'Harry, you're here!' a tall, lanky boy with freckles cried, running forward followed by another four children.

Snape felt Harry move closer to him at the sight of them.

'Slow down everyone,' a man who had been standing off to the side said as he suddenly strode forward. 'I'm Arthur, Harry, Arthur Weasley and these are our children, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny and Ron of course.

Harry looked at the youngest boy, recognising him immediately from the photo, and smiled hesitantly.

'Hey mate,' Ron said, grinning but looking slightly hesitant himself.

'Hi,' Harry answered, sounding unsure and surreptitiously edging further against Snape's side.

'Ok kids, what did we say earlier about not smothering Harry?' Mr Weasley stated. 'Everyone out now except Ron, come on,' he prompted, chivvying the remaining children from the room to a chorus of groans.

'Well, how about a drink and a little afternoon tea?' Mrs Weasley said once the rest of the clan had exited. 'Are you hungry, Harry dear?'

'Oh… uh, I guess so,' Harry wavered, looking to Snape for guidance.

'Spot of homemade lemonade and some afternoon tea then,' Mrs Weasley stated, clapping her hands, 'and for you Severus?'

'Tea. Black,' Snape stated, moving away from Harry and taking a seat on the nearest armchair – a rather rickety looking thing with overstuffed upholstery.

Ron took a spot on the patch worked rug and Harry decided to follow suit after a moment.

'So good to see you mate, we were really worried about you… I mean me and Hermione. We weren't sure what had happened and then we found out you were knocked unconscious and in the infirmary.'

Harry noticed Ron glance uncertainly at Snape before he leaned in a little closer as if about to whisper to him.

'You …been alright?' Ron asked softly.

Harry nodded, not really sure what the boy was asking.

A rattling came from behind them then and Mrs Weasley returned with a tray bearing drinks and a few plates of biscuits and cake.

'Here we go, Harry dear,' she said warmly, setting two glasses of lemonade down on a table near him and Ron. 'Severus, would you care for a chocolate humdinger or a slice of my famous beetroot cake?'

Harry almost laughed at the expression Mrs Weasley was met with as she offered the plate of chocolate-coated biscuits to Snape. He looked down his long nose at them as if there was a sour taste in his mouth. The man just wasn't a sweet tooth. He waved them away with a dismissive hand.

'No, the tea is fine, thank you,' he uttered, taking his tea from the tray and leaning back against the seat.

'Well, Harry love,' Mrs Weasley said once she'd sat down, 'how have you been? I expect everything has been a bit of a shock for you, hm?'

Harry nodded silently and reached out for a Chocolate humdinger seeing that Ron was already halfway through one.

'Have you got any memory back yet?' Ron asked, gulping down the last bit of biscuit and reaching for another straight away.

'Um… no, not yet,' Harry answered, 'but my magic's getting better, isn't it?' Harry added suddenly, turning to Snape for acknowledgement.

'We are… progressing,' Snape answered after a pause.

'Wow, you're actually allowed to do magic out of school, Harry!' Ron exclaimed. 'Geez, wish we could do that here,' he added pointedly as he looked to his parents.

'Ronald, some parents may allow their children to flout wizarding law but not under this roof,' Mrs Weasley scolded. 'Besides, Harry has special circumstances and I'm sure Professor Snape is keeping a close watch, isn't that right Professor?'

Snape turned his eyes onto Ron, who seemed to shrink back a little.

'Potter is under strict rules and supervision while performing magic, Mr Weasley, I assure you that any flouting of the rules would be met with appropriate consequences,' Snape said silkily.

'Yeah, I'm not allowed to do anything on my own,' Harry suddenly piped up, finding his voice and feeling a bit more comfortable with his surroundings. He grinned at the red-haired boy who grinned back widely and took a huge bite of a third humdinger biscuit.

He liked this boy already; he could feel a sense of camaraderie between them. 'I got in trouble just for turning my socks a different colour!' Harry elaborated further. Ron snorted but then looked at Snape and sobered up quickly.

Harry reached for a second biscuit but heard Snape clear his throat meaningfully behind him. He turned to look, his hand hesitating above the plate. Was he allowed a second biscuit or was one the limit? The professor always seemed to keep a close eye on what he ate and rarely allowed an excess of sugar. He hesitated for a moment longer but as Snape didn't exactly say anything he took the second one off the plate and bit into it – Ron had already had three after all!

'Hey, you wanna go up to my room for a bit?' Ron asked suddenly.

'Yeah, sure,' Harry nodded.

'I think it best for you to stay here,' Snape cut in just as the boys were getting to their feet.

Snape tapped an index finger against the side of his cup as Harry turned to look at him, a sure sign of a sulk beginning to form on the boy's face.

'Oh, come now, Severus,' Mrs Weasley stated, 'Harry will be alright for a bit, won't you dear?'

Harry nodded adamantly.

Snape inhaled deeply, his eyes fixed to Harry's. He really didn't want to allow the boy out of his sight, especially when in the company of the Weasley boy; who knew what they may get up to or what Weasley may tell him. However, he knew Molly Weasley and if he didn't relent she would be rattling in his ear about it all afternoon.

'Very well,' Snape said tightly, eyeing Harry with a clear 'behave or else' look.

'Let's go!' Ron said pulling at Harry's sleeve, seemingly not waiting around for Snape to change his mind. Ron grabbed another biscuit before moving towards the door and with a brief glance at Snape Harry took another also and exited quickly.

'Well, this is my room,' Ron stated, opening the door and leading Harry inside. 'You haven't been here before so you wouldn't remember it anyway,' Ron added, shrugging as Harry looked around at the garishly orange room, blinking a little at all the moving poster pictures on the walls.

'So,' Ron said, plonking himself down on his bed and motioning for Harry to do the same, 'I guess it must be kind of weird for you… not remembering anything I mean.'

'Yeah, kind of,' Harry breathed softly as he sat down on the edge of the mattress, his eyes still roaming around the room. 'Professor Snape showed me a photo of you so I knew you when I saw you downstairs,' he added.

'I can't believe it,' Ron suddenly said, shaking his head, 'you, living with old Snape!'

Harry looked at Ron trying to distinguish the expression on the boy's face.

'Yeah, well Professor Dumbledore said he was the best person to help me get my memory back and help me get my magic under control,' Harry answered. 'Plus I kind of remembered him a bit when I saw him.'

'What?' Ron said incredulously. 'You remembered Snape?'

'Well, kind of,' Harry answered, 'just his name and that he felt familiar somehow.'

Ron looked back at him for a moment with a stunned look on his face, his mouth hanging open until he seemed to compose himself.

'He's been ok hasn't he?' he asked worriedly and Harry looked back at him with a furrowed brow. 'I mean, he hasn't been making you dissect bat intestines in a rat infested cellar or anything?'

'No,' Harry answered slowly. The boy sure did seem to have some strange ideas.

'I want to do some potion work and stuff but he won't let me yet,' Harry added.

Ron raised an eyebrow.

'You want to do potions?'

'Yeah, I've been reading the potions book and it sounds interesting,' Harry shrugged back.

'You really did get knocked on the head bad, didn't you,' Ron stated firmly. 'You're starting to sound like Hermione.'

'Hermione?' Harry repeated, more to himself than to Ron. 'Oh… it's just I couldn't remember what her name was after Professor Snape told me,' Harry added quickly at seeing the quizzical look in Ron's eyes.

'So, Snape's not being a complete git then?' Ron asked after a moment's pause, though sounding slightly disbelieving.

'He's ok,' Harry shrugged, 'he can get kinda cross sometimes and yell at me and stuff.'

'Yeah, that sounds like him,' Ron nodded. 'What's his house like?' he pressed, leaning back against the wall.

'Oh, um... it's kinda dark 'cause he has the curtains pulled over all the time on most of the windows. It's got three levels though. I haven't seen the top level because apparently that's his lab where he does all his potions stuff. I'm not allowed to go in there. He likes everything neat though – he goes spare if I leave a mess anywhere!'

Ron nodded. 'Hey, how big is the garden? Can you go flying?'

'Flying?' Harry repeated, scrunching his nose up as he scratched an eyebrow.

'Yeah, on your broom?' Ron elaborated.

'Wizards can fly?' Harry asked, wide-eyed at this revelation.

'Yeah, if you have a broom and you have the best broom around Harry, a Nimbus 2000!' Ron exclaimed.

'I don't have a broom,' Harry said shaking his head. 'I mean… Snape has one to sweep up with but…'

'No, not that kind of broom,' Ron cried, rolling his eyes a little. 'Your Nimbus, Harry!'

Harry looked back at him blankly.

'He hasn't given it to you,' Ron said with dawning comprehension. 'You have to ask him for it!' Ron cried resolutely.

'Ask for what?' Harry said in confusion feeling completely at a loss at what Ron was getting so fired up about.

'Your Nimbus!' Ron exclaimed again. 'You're a great flyer, Harry, one of the best in the school. You got into the Quidditch team at school even though you're only a first year!'

'Quidditch?' Harry said, still looking blank.

Ron nodded before jumping off his bed and rummaging around a bit underneath it.

'Here,' he said after a moment, surfacing again and handing Harry a book. Harry turned it over and read the title.

Quelling the Quaffles and Sniping the Snitch

Hilbert Hillberries'

First Guide to Quidditch

On the front was a moving picture, just like the photos Harry had seen previously, of a person zipping across the cover, sometimes disappearing out of the frame altogether only to reappear a moment later. It looked like the person was perched on a fancy looking broom, their arm outstretched in chase of something.

'So wizards really do fly on brooms,' Harry breathed. There was so much to get his head around.

'You're a Seeker, Harry,' Ron stated, jumping back on the bed. 'You can take that book, I've read it heaps of times.'

'Thanks,' Harry said, flicking through the various pages for a moment, though at a loss of what Ron meant by the 'Seeker' remark.

'You have to ask old Snape about your Nimbus,' Ron said fervently after a moment. 'All your other stuff's in his house right? I bet he's hidden it somewhere!'

'Why would he have done that?' Harry asked, looking up.

Ron looked slightly incredulous.

'Because he's a git, Harry. He'll do anything to sabotage Gryffindor's chances at the House Cup and he was really put out when you were made Seeker.'

'You…don't like him?' Harry asked, coming to the realisation that Ron seemed less than favourable in his comments about the professor even though Harry was still struggling to understand what the boy was actually talking about – Seeker? House Cup?

'No, and neither do you,' Ron said vehemently.

'He's not that bad,' Harry answered genuinely. 'I mean, he gets mad at me sometimes, he says I was a trouble-maker at school and I have to learn to do as I'm told and stop being so reckless and…disobedient…and…'

Ron snorted.

'He's really laying it on thick! You're not like that. Ok, maybe the troll thing was a bit reckless, but other than that - '

'Troll?' Harry said sharply.

'Oh yeah, a troll got into the school on Halloween, well it was let in really but that's a whole other story, and we fought it and won!' Ron declared rather proudly despite the earlier admission of recklessness. 'Course the teachers weren't too impressed with us but it was amazing all the same. You actually got on its back at one point and stuck your wand up its nose!'

'Ew!' Harry said, though grinning widely at the tale as Ron became more and more animated.

'And then I did Wingardium Leviosa!' Ron said, acting the scene out with an imaginary wand in his hand as he stood up on his bed, 'and then his own club clunked him on the head and knocked him out,' Ron finished, pretending to lose consciousness and landing on the floor with a loud thump that reverberated all around. Both boys fell about in boisterous laughter at Ron's re-enactment.

'That does sound kind of reckless,' Harry said softly after they had regained their composure a little.

Ron shrugged, still laughing softly.

'So… so you think I should ask Professor Snape about my broom then?' Harry asked, moving the conversation back to flying as he looked back at the book Ron had given him.

'Yeah, for sure,' Ron nodded quickly. 'It might even help you get your memory back if you're able to go flying a bit. Mum and Dad said it might just take one small thing to start your memories returning.'

'Yes, that's what Professor Snape said too,' Harry nodded.

'Well, then he should definitely give it back to you. You want me to ask Mum and Dad to talk to him about it?' Ron asked, suddenly looking thoughtful. 'If it comes from them Snape might not have any choice but to give it to you.'

Harry shook his head. 'No, that's ok, I'll ask him.'

Ron looked doubtful.

'Hey, he hasn't got your cloak as well has he?' Ron asked suddenly.

'Cloak?' Harry repeated vaguely in the same way he'd done with the broom.

'What an arse!' Ron exclaimed, taking Harry back a bit. 'You've got this wicked cloak Harry, it's an invisibility cloak.'

'What? It makes me invisible?' Harry said, wide-eyed.

'Yeah,' Ron nodded, 'it was your dad's but Dumbledore gave it to you last year at school.'

'Should I ask the professor about that as well?' Harry asked, feeling a little deflated that the professor must have taken it from him because he didn't trust him. All that trouble he got into at school must have done it.

Ron looked thoughtful for a moment.

'You could,' he said slowly, 'but I doubt he'd give it to you.'

'Why?' Harry asked, though thinking he already knew the answer.

Ron rolled his eyes emphatically. 'He probably thinks you'll try and sneak out or snoop around his house or something.'

'Where would I sneak out to?' Harry asked, frowning a little.

'I dunno,' Ron shrugged, 'maybe sneak up to his lab or something.'

'What's the cloak look like?' Harry asked after a moment.

'Oh, well it's kind of shiny and silvery and - '

'Yeah, I've seen it!' Harry stated nodding, 'except I didn't know what it was then. I just put it in my drawer and then a few days later it disappeared.'

'Didn't you ask Snape about it when it vanished?' Ron asked, looking perplexed at the thought of Harry overlooking something like that.

The truth was that Harry had been so caught up in his troubles of trying to get his magic going and under control that the disappearance of a silver sheet thing from his draw had escaped his mind.

'Uh…no,' Harry stated, feeling slightly foolish that he hadn't.

'Is the tea to your liking, Severus?' Molly asked once the boys had retreated upstairs.

'It is fine, thank you,' Snape answered, casting a wary glance to where Ron and Harry had exited.

'Don't worry, we impressed on Ron very clearly what he should not discuss with Harry yet. They should be fine,' Arthur noted.

Snape did not look convinced.

'So how is Harry doing, really?' Molly asked softly. 'Everything must have been such a shock for the poor love.'

Snape looked shrewdly at Molly for a moment. The woman could be overly protective and mollycoddling at the best of times.

'As I said,' Snape said in a low voice, 'he is progressing.' He took another sip of tea, his eyes roaming around the cluttered room.

'No, I mean how is he dealing with everything?' Molly prompted further. 'His parents not being here for him, coming to terms with his magic and not having any recollection of who anyone is – it must have been incredibly daunting to him.'

Snape sighed. The woman was obviously not going to let up until she had what she wanted.

'The first few days were a little unsettled but Potter understands that his parents are not here and what has happened to him,' Snape explained, not going into any real detail and certainly not mentioning the fact that it seemed the boy was beginning to have dreams concerning recent events with the Dark Lord.

'Has he asked how they died?' Molly almost whispered, leaning in a little towards Snape, whose jaw tightened.

'Yes.'

Molly let out a soft 'oh'.

'Obviously the particulars have not been mentioned,' Snape added, 'I believe it would be a hindrance to his recovery. The decision on how and when he is told of everything will be left to Dumbledore,' Snape said firmly. 'The boy's main concern at the moment is to regain his memory and control over his magic.'

'And how about you?' Molly asked after a moment of silence. Snape sat back a little as the attention moved to him. 'You have taken on a big responsibility, of course Harry is in the best of hands for his recovery, but to aid his magic and his memory back as well as being responsible for an eleven year old child! Eleven year old boys can be up to all sorts of mischief, believe me!' Molly laughed softly. 'Are you keeping up with him?'

Snape's lip curled a little. What was it with people judging whether he could cope or not?

'Potter understands the rules and the consequences if he breaks them,' Snape answered briskly.

Molly laughed again.

'Oh Severus, always the disciplinarian! But I hope you are letting him have a little bit of fun and freedom. Harry's a good boy.'

'Hm, well he still has that stubborn, reckless streak in him despite his memory loss. As I said to him before, one does not lose their inherent nature,' Snape said. 'He does not think before he acts – clearly why he got himself into this situation in the first place. I have had to punish him several times because of it.'

'Punish him?' Molly said, looking a little apprehensive. 'I hope you weren't too hard on him, Severus, not with the situation he is in at present.'

'I will decide how hard or otherwise to be with him, Molly. I had this discussion with Dumbledore before I took the boy in and he has agreed that Potter needs to learn some sense of boundaries and not behave so recklessly.'

There was a sudden silence until Arthur cleared his throat and then spoke up.

'Well, it's true that all children need some guidance. I'm sure you're doing a fine job, Severus. I did notice how Harry instinctively moved closer to you when confronted with our mob. I would say that's a sign of something, wouldn't you Molly?'

'Of course,' Molly answered, suddenly smiling warmly. 'I did notice that and so it seems that Harry does feel some connection and a sense of safety with you. I'm glad, it's important for children to have that.'

Snape grimaced at the sickliness of it all.

'He was merely confronted with a large group of unknown people,' Snape said briskly, feeling agitated at their smiling faces as if they knew something he didn't. No way was he going to mention the previous occasions when Potter had hugged him if this is how they got when the boy had simply moved in closer proximity to him.

'You know, Severus,' Molly continued on despite Snape's dismissive response, 'you are most welcome to any advice, on the parenting side of things I mean,' Molly laughed. 'You're not his parent of course but as his guardian you are providing that same kind of structure and nurturing. I'd be happy to discuss anything with you; I have had seven of my own after all.'

Oh good god, now they were moving onto parenting advice – Dumbledore probably put them up to it. Snape grimaced, wondering if he could haul Harry from upstairs and apparate on the spot.

'Thank you, Molly, for the offer but I believe things are in order,' Snape answered dryly.

'Well, the offer is there when you need it.'

Molly smiled that irritatingly knowing smile again and Snape's jaw tightened.

'Harry's a good boy,' she continued, 'but you know kids…things do happen out of the blue - '

'I am well aware of what the boy is capable of, 'Snape cut in, 'probably more than most.'

'Well, it really is of generous spirit that you have offered to provide Harry with such needed attention and someone that he can rely on during this time. I have always thought that there is more to you than meets the eye,' Molly noted warmly.

Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow.

Just as he did, a loud thump suddenly emanated from upstairs followed by high-spirited laughter.

Snape narrowed his eyes darkly and made a move to get up.

'They are fine, Severus,' Arthur said, waving a hand dismissively. 'Would you care for another drink?'

'No, we must be going soon,' Snape said, his eyes still glaring towards the upstairs area of the house, 'we have a lot to get done.'

'Before you do, Severus, there is one other thing that I would like to run past you,' Molly said.

'Oh?' Snape replied dubiously, his eyes flicking back down to her.

'Yes, I ran this past Dumbledore the other day and he agreed it would be good if we could organise for Harry to come here for a few hours every week, a sort of… play date… if you like, though I'm sure the boys would be mortified if we called it that in front of them!' Molly laughed.

'He does need some contact with kids his own age over the holidays, Severus,' Arthur added, as Snape merely sat there silently. 'It could help lodge some memories back; he and Ron are close.'

Snape sniffed, flexing his fingers on his right hand.

'What is your proposal?' He eventually asked stiffly.

'Perhaps two days a week for a couple of hours each time?' Molly said. 'We realise there is a lot of work that needs to be done so time is limited, but I think four hours a week is reasonable.'

Snape ran the idea over in his head. Four hours a week would be lost out of his schedule, but at the same time it would be nice to have the boy out of his hair for a bit and could prove beneficial to memory recovery.

'Very well,' Snape nodded curtly.

'Lovely,' Molly responded, clapping her hands together.

'I must impress though that his magical control and memory recovery remain top priority,' Snape added.

'Of course, Severus,' Molly nodded.

'I will send an owl to you tonight to let you know of the most convenient days and times,' Severus said, now standing up and obviously getting ready to leave.

'I will go fetch the boys,' said Arthur, making his way out of the room.

When Harry arrived back downstairs he looked flushed and excitable – probably the sugar has just hit his system, Snape thought grimly as he clamped a hand to Harry's shoulder.

'It is time to go,' he said abruptly.

'Oh, do we have to?' Harry replied, his voice edging on a whine and Snape gave him a clear look of reprimand as he tightened his grip.

'Don't worry, dear, I am sure we will see you again soon,' Molly said warmly.

'What is that?' Snape queried, pointing a long finger at the book Harry had clutched to his chest.

'Oh, it's a book Ron gave me to read,' Harry answered, holding it up for Snape to see the cover.

Snape looked at it with an unreadable expression on his face before glancing at Ron who looked slightly uncomfortable.

'Take another biscuit before you go dear,' Molly offered, picking the plate up off the low table.

'No, you've had enough,' Snape said swiftly, grasping Harry by the wrist as he reached out to the plate. Harry looked at Mrs Weasley hoping she might insist on him taking one but instead she nodded and simply said, 'Next time then.'

Harry glanced over his shoulder and gave Snape a sulky look but the professor merely propelled him towards the fireplace.

'See you mate, see you soon!' Ron called out

'Yeah,' Harry responded fervently over his shoulder, 'thanks for the book.'

'Thank you for bringing him, Severus,' Molly said, 'you are most welcome any time.'

Snape turned at the fireplace looking back at them then nodded briskly before grabbing hold of Harry at the elbow and disappearing into the green flames.

TBC…

Thanks everyone for continuing to review!

This chapter is probably one of my favourites from the story. I'm not sure exactly why but I just like the image of Snape sitting in the Weasley's home and interacting with them. I also quite like the banter between Harry and Ron so I hope you all enjoyed it as well.