Hi everyone,

After several years, "Sous la coupe de Rogue" is back... in English! Don't panic, I didn't do the translation - Les Varioufs did (if the link doesn't work, type their name in the search bar, and you'll find them straight away). If you want to read the original version in French, you can find it on my profile page. I can't promise regular updates, because translation isn't simple and life often means that Les Varioufs and I can't dedicate as much time to the translation and publication of the story as we would like (although we will do our best).

Finally, you all know the routine: the characters don't belong to me, they come from the limitless imagination of our hero JK Rowling. I humbly ask her to forgive me for what I do to her work.

I hope you enjoy this story, and remember that Les Varioufs and I always like reading your comments!

Enjoy!

"With all due respect, Albus, you've lost your mind!"

"That's what the Daily Prophet says," the Headmaster replied, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Severus Snape rolled his eyes. "The Prophet is written by a bunch of incompetent idiots who are paid by an idiot minister. If they prefer to ridicule you all instead of admitting that the Dark Lord has returned, then a great lot of good it will do them. But I don't see what this has to do with me being here."

Albus took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Severus, you know that the press is also attacking Harry. His muggle family has refused to take him in again, and even if I forced them to, his mother's sacrifice will no longer protect him."

"Why doesn't he go with Black, then?" spat Snape.

"Sirius is still on the run. Harry needs stability and, before you list half the names of the wizarding families, he also needs someone who is powerful enough to protect him and sees him as a normal teenager, not the hero of the wizarding world whose feelings must not be hurt at all costs."

"And of course, I'm the only one who meets these requirements," Snape said sarcastically.

Albus chuckled. "You are also the one I have the most faith in."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Albus. And you're forgetting one little thing."

"What?"

"Potter and I can't stand each other!"

"Now Severus," Albus protested, his tone one of light reproach, "the old animosity between you and James no longer exists - Harry only looks like his father. And the hostility between you is of your own doing - the boy had nothing against you in the beginning."

Severus refrained from commenting. Perfectly aware that he was in the wrong, he changed the topic of conversation.

"And Black?"

"What about him?" Dumbledore asked innocently.

"Don't play games with me, we're not just talking about baby-sitting here! This is adoption – permanent adoption. Damn it Albus," he shouted, getting to his feet, "do you really think Black will agree to me having such power over his precious godson? He knows my beliefs on raising children – I've never hidden them!"

"Sirius has already agreed, Severus."

Shocked, the normally cold Potions Master fell back into his armchair. "But… but… why?"

"I was able to convince him that it would be in Harry's best interests and, since my decision was final, he would help things along by not resisting – something which would have been both painful and useless."

Snape jumped at Harry's name. "And Potter? I suppose he'll go from a quiet, pampered family life to a strict upbringing under my control without resisting at all?"

"You might be surprised. Harry has been cruelly deprived of care and affection for his entire life. Look at the Weasley children – Molly is an implacable mother, but they would not swap her for all the peace and quiet in the world. Now, he will probably rebel quite quickly. It is up to you to remain firm and make him understand that this is not a punishment, and that you're not only in charge, but are also there to offer help and support."

Snape sank further into his armchair, his expression sullen. Help and support? For James Potter's son? Why not cuddle him and read him bedtime stories while he was at it?

"Albus, please be serious. I don't know how to deal with children!"

"Come, come, your class is always under complete control."

"Terrorising children is much easier than raising one alone."

"I'm sure you'll be marvellous."

Snape shot him an extremely cold look.

"I would be a disastrous father, Albus. Look at me! I'm not cut out for this!"

Albus stood up and put a hand on Severus' shoulder, his sparkling blue eyes finding his protégé's sombre ones. "I have every faith in you, Severus."

Snape sighed. It was a low blow… He had never been able to refuse Dumbledore when he reminded him of the faith he had in him despite everything. Once again, he was going to bow to the old coot's whim.

"Alright," he groaned, rubbing a hand over his face, "where do I need to sign?"

Albus conjured some parchment and muggle forms in front of his Potions Master. Snape immediately saw that the signatures of Vernon and Petunia Dursley were already on the documents. Under the smiling gaze of Dumbledore, he signed on the line left for him.

It was done. According to both wizarding and muggle law, he was now Harry Potter's legal father.

"And Potter?"

"Severus," Dumbledore said mildly, "you will have to stop calling the boy Potter."

Snape shot him a scathing look and considered giving into his Death Eater instincts and just killing the old headmaster. But, seeing that his cold look had absolutely no effect on Dumbledore, he resigned himself to giving in.

"Fine. And Harry? When are you going to talk to him about this new situation?"

"He already knows."

"What? But how? When?"

"My dear boy, I can read you like a book."

Snape crossed his arms, furious that his mentor found him so predictable. They remained silent for several minutes. Then, his curiosity overwhelming his resentment, Snape broke.

"How did he take the news?"

"Mostly well."

"I need a bit more than that, Albus."

"What would you like to know, Severus?" sighed Dumbledore. "He didn't shout that it was out of the question, he didn't get angry. He seemed… resigned. He only said that you would never agree."

"So he didn't react because he thought all of this would never happen."

Albus couldn't help but smile at how offended Snape looked. He thought it was best not to explain to the professor that Harry had only agreed to the adoption because Sirius had asked him to, reassuring him that it would change nothing between them.

Living together would certainly be difficult, but he was convinced that it would, in the long term, benefit his two protégés. Harry needed someone who cared about him, and not just because he was the Boy Who Lived. And Severus needed to feel useful and prove to himself that he could be a father. Most of all, he needed to stop feeling guilty for not being able to stop the Potters' deaths.

"Very well," sighed Snape, "where is Pot… Harry?"

oOo

Harry threw a pebble in the water. He knew that it was late, he knew that he wasn't allowed to be next to the lake at this time of night, but he honestly didn't care. What could they do? Take away house points? The holidays had started two days ago – they couldn't do anything. Anyway, he didn't care. Voldemort was back. He had come back and he had killed Cedric. And he, Harry, had just run away. What a hero…

The worst of it was that no one believed him – they thought he was crazy or, even worse, a compulsive liar.

He angrily threw another pebble into the water.

And the Dursleys didn't want anything to do with him anymore. Although he had never been happy living with them, number 4 Privet Drive had always been his home. Not anymore. No one wanted anything to look after a boy who attracted trouble like a magnet.

He threw another pebble.

Not to mention all of this business with Snape. Adoption? Wasn't his life bad enough as it was? Or maybe it was his punishment for letting Cedric die.

Even Sirius wanted him to go with Snape, and that said everything. Oh, he had promised that they would still see each other, maybe even more than before, but he didn't want to look after him. If even Sirius thought he deserved such a punishment…

He sighed. Hermione and Ron didn't know anything. They didn't know that the Dursleys didn't want him. They thought he was going to travel by a different method than the Hogwarts Express, for safety. At the moment, they were with their families, with people that loved them.

He shook his head to free it from these dark thoughts. He wasn't going to hold it against his friends that they had parents and loving families.

The sound of footsteps jerked him roughly from his thoughts. He leapt to his feet, his wand held out in front of him.

"Expelliarmus!"

Snape blocked the spell with a simple wave of his hand.

Harry gulped. Oops, he thought, he'll kill me on the spot.

But Snape simply looked at him and didn't say a word. Harry stared at him for a moment, his heart thumping. A lump formed in his throat. He didn't know how, but he just knew. Snape had agreed.

The Potions Master seemed to give a tiny sigh before speaking. "I think we need to talk."

Obeying the implicit command, Harry picked up his cloak and followed Snape to his office in the dungeons. Throughout the entire ten-minute walk, they didn't say a single word.

Harry walked several paces behind his furious professor. If he did agree to this adoption, he didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart, Harry thought.

Snape opened the door to his office and indicated with a brusque gesture for Harry to sit in a chair. He sat down in his own chair and sighed deeply, his eyes shut. Harry swallowed. This looked bad. He had to diffuse the situation, and quickly.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Snape opened his eyes and stared at Harry. After several beats of silence, he sighed. "Why?"

Harry jumped - Snape's calm, serious voice didn't sound angry at all.

"Well," he stammered, "I suppose you agreed to the… the…"

"Adoption?"

"Yes."

"Indeed."

Harry lowered his head. He had known, but hearing it said out loud was slightly upsetting.

"Harry?"

He jumped again. Harry? Snape never called him that. He yelled 'Potter' most of the time.

"Why are you sorry?"

Harry blinked at this new familiarity, but he supposed that, now Snape had adopted him, it was to be expected. After all, he was no longer just a professor for Harry. He realised that the professor was waiting for a reply.

"Because you were forced to adopt me even though you hate me, and for being next to the lake at night," said Harry in a low voice, his head bowed.

And for letting Voldemort come back and kill Cedric, he thought bitterly.

Snape watched him in silence for a moment. "I see," he replied. "Let's get some things straight. First, Professor Dumbledore did not force me to adopt you. He convinced me. Second, I don't hate you. Although your habit of looking for trouble does deeply annoy me-"

"I don't go looking for trouble," Harry interrupted through clenched teeth, "it just happens!"

Snape didn't comment on the interruption - he would not start teaching the boy tonight. But his insolence would have to stop.

"But," he continued, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice, "I am sure that, if we both make an effort, we can get beyond that. Finally, I do not see anything wrong with you being next to the lake. You are perfectly safe at Hogwarts and no curfew has been given to you."

Snape hesitated. Should he continue? Or should he wait to discuss the thoughts he had sensed from Harry at a better time and in a more relaxing environment? He decided to compromise.

"As for the Dark Lord's return, I can guarantee you that you could not have done anything."

Harry opened his mouth to argue. Snape silenced him with a gesture.

"The topic is a difficult one and I would prefer to discuss it later. When we get to the manor, we can talk about it if you wish."

"Ok," Harry whispered.

Snape looked at the young man sitting opposite him. Time to tackle the unpleasant issue.

"Harry, I want to make a few things clear to you."

"Yes, sir."

"Father."

"Sorry?" Harry choked out.

"I am now your father and you must address me as such. I believe it's the minimum respect you owe me."

Harry paled and Snape considered that he had perhaps gone too far too fast. The boy was already upset and it was perhaps too much for him. But on the other hand, he had strict rules, rules that could seem archaic, perhaps even cruel, for certain "modern" and lax families like the Weasleys, but rules that he nevertheless refused to abandon. And respect was one of them.

"Harry, by calling me father you are not betraying James Potter. He will always be your father. Let's just say I'm taking over."

Harry gave in. "But I'm still called Potter, aren't I?"

"Yes," Snape assured him. "You just add Snape at the end of Potter on official documents, but otherwise you are not obliged to use that name."

"Thank you," Harry whispered.

"Good. Let's continue. There are certain rules that you absolutely must obey. I will be very strict about that. Disobey them and you will deeply regret it. I will tell you about them when needed, don't worry. And I will never punish you for mistakes that you make because you had not been told of a rule. But there are two that you must learn now."

"I'm listening," Harry replied in a dull voice.

"First, you must never again interrupt me or any other adult as you did earlier."

"Ok," Harry said, telling himself that he wasn't really in a position to argue.

"Second, you must always ask my permission before going somewhere, whether it's to leave the table, go for a walk or to go to your room. Always. I will not tolerate you breaking this rule."

Harry nodded, his teeth clenched. He longed to argue back, as he had always done, but Sirius' words immediately came to mind, like an alarm bell telling him to be quiet.

"Harry," his godfather had told him, "even though Snape and I hate each other, I know that he won't make you suffer. But he is strict and inflexible. He believes in a traditional upbringing. Don't disobey him, Harry, or he'll punish you mercilessly."

The worry in Sirius' eyes had convinced him that he was telling the truth. He knew that Dumbledore had not given his godfather a choice, but he couldn't help himself from thinking that he hadn't fought very hard to have him. And he knew himself – he knew that, sooner or later, he would fight back against Snape. But for now, it would be pointless to provoke him before the ink on his adoption papers had even dried.

Snape suddenly stood, interrupting Harry's thoughts.

"Are your things ready?"

"No, sir."

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"No, Father," Harry said, surprised that he had no difficulty saying the word.

"Go and get them ready. We're leaving after the staff meeting. You have two hours."

"I'll be ready."

"Perfect."

Snape gestured for Harry to leave. Harry walked back to his dormitory, slightly relieved. Maybe living with Snape wouldn't be as horrible as he had imagined, even if it wasn't going to be easy. Not easy at all…

oOo

The house elves had taken his suitcase several minutes ago. Harry had gone into the Gryffindor common room with the attention of reading a book on Quidditch until they had to leave. But he hadn't accounted for the sleepless nights that he had had since the return of the homicidal madman, who invaded his dreams whenever he closed his eyes.

He fell asleep.

Voldemort walked into the common room, his wand in his hand. His smile was sinister. He raised his hand and grabbed Harry's wrist, his fingers digging painfully into the skin. Harry struggled to get free, but Voldemort's grip was too strong.

The monster slowly raised his wand.

"Crucio!"

Harry yelled at the top of his voice.

"Harry!"

His eyes snapped open and he recoiled so violently that he rocked his chair backwards. Only Snape's hand on his wrist stopped him from falling. He glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that he was half an hour late.

"Calm down," Snape said calmly, understanding his adoptive son's train of thought. "You had a nightmare, nothing more."

Harry nodded silently, waiting for the reprimand that would surely follow.

"If you are ready," Snape continued, "we can go."

"Yes sir," Harry stammered.

"Father," the Potions Master reminded him, his voice firm but devoid of anger.

"Sorry."

"Let's go."

Snape left the common room, Harry almost running to keep up.

"We're leaving from Hogsmeade."

"Sir? Er… I mean, Father?"

"Yes?"

"Can I buy a few things?"

"Where from?"

"Honeydukes."

Snape's first instinct was to categorically refuse, but he reconsidered when he remembered the life the young man had had with his muggle family. Dumbledore had told him of the cupboard and that Harry had been deprived of food.

"Fine. But be reasonable."

"I will."

When Harry came out of the shop, Snape rolled his eyes. The two of them clearly didn't have the same understanding of the word reasonable.

"How are we getting to your house?"

"We're apparating."

"But…"

"I know full well that you cannot apparate. Hold onto my arm and do not under any circumstances let go."

Harry grabbed his new father's arm and clung on with all his strength, slightly nervous despite himself. He felt as if he were being squeezed all over and tightened his grip, shutting his eyes. As nerve-wracking as it was, the squeezing sensation didn't last very long.

Snape and Harry reappeared in front of the gates to a manor. To Harry, it seemed enormous compared to Privet Drive. The manor had four floors and was surrounded by a large park.

"We cannot apparate inside the manor," Snape explained. "Only family members and Dumbledore can apparate onto the steps outside. Tomorrow I will amend the wards so they recognise you, but for the moment I will begin by introducing you to the house elves and showing you around the manor."

They walked into the manor. Three small house elves immediately appeared.

"This is Harry Potter-Snape. I have adopted him, and he is therefore your new young master. Harry, Kookie looks after the house and Backer is my personal elf. Alima doesn't really belong to me but is very helpful. Of course, you'll need your own personal elf."

"Winky," Harry murmured.

"Pardon?"

"Winky. She was Mr Crouch's elf – he freed her and she works at Hogwarts now like Dobby. But she hates being free and Dobby told me that she cries every night and says that no family wants her anymore."

"I will go and see her if Albus agrees. Come, I will show you around – this door on the left leads to the kitchen. It's Kookie's domain. On the right is the living room."

Snape opened the living room door. It was decorated in the same way as the Slytherin common room, but the atmosphere was warmer and instead of green lights there were chandeliers. Part of the room was taken up by a table made of black marble that was big enough to seat a dozen people. The other part was taken up by a sofa and two armchairs arranged around the fireplace. There was a door on either side of the fireplace.

"The door on the right is my office. Like my bedroom and laboratory, you are forbidden from entering without me there but you can, of course, find me there if you want to speak with me. On the left is the library. You can do your homework there."

Harry followed Snape into the room and stopped, his mouth hanging open – there were hundreds of books.

"Hermione would be so jealous!"

Snape only just managed not to smile.

"Come."

They went back into the hall. Snape gestured to the two doors at the bottom of the stairs.

"To the left is my laboratory, to the right is the cellar."

They went up a flight.

"The door opposite the stairs is my bedroom. The one to the right is yours. Do not ever go into the one on the left or you will be in more trouble than you have ever been before. Understood?"

"Yes," Harry replied hastily.

"Good. Let's go into your room."

As soon as they entered the room, Harry understood why there were only three rooms on this floor. They had just walked into a living room with a desk, bookcase, wardrobe and a sofa. A door on the left led to a room with an enormous bed with a canopy, a large wardrobe and a chest of drawers, and a door on the right led to a bathroom.

But what struck Harry the most was the absence of colour. Absolutely everything was cream or ivory.

"It's a bit late today, but tomorrow Backer will help you."

"Help me?"

"As you can see, everything is neutral. Tomorrow you will personalise your room. Colour, decorations, curtains… do what you want."

"It's a wonderful room. Thank you very much… Father."

Snape nodded. "It's up to you to make it one. There are six rooms and a bathroom on the third floor. On the fourth is an attic and the house elves' room. The tour stops here. I'll let you relax. Meals are normally at 8 o'clock, 1 o'clock and 8 o'clock. I do not tolerate lateness and you will be severely punished if you are. Because we have just arrived from Hogwarts, dinner will be at 11 o'clock, so be downstairs in half an hour. Believe me, you do not want me to come looking for you. There is a clock on the fireplace."

Snape left, leaving Harry alone. Harry swallowed. Severely punished? Punished how? He had a feeling Snape wasn't talking about extra work, chores or anything like that. He had the unpleasant feeling that nothing would be easy. Snape was demanding and he had full power over him. He decided to take a quick shower, changed and immediately went downstairs into the living room.

He knew that he was often late and he had no desire to see what type of punishment Snape could inflict upon him on the first day.