a/n: Well here it is...not a lot of action this chapter, but quite a bit of talking. Please let me know what you think, and feel free to ask questions, as it helps me to focus my writing. Thanks to all who reviewed!
It was a very subdued Dudley that was led from the dungeons to complete his chores the next morning. When Severus came to get the boy from the student lab, he found every table clean and the floor immaculate. Severus motioned for Dudley to sit down, and said, "It has been brought to my attention that perhaps I have been remiss in explaining the rules to you. As you were in attendance when I presented the rules to the others, I don't see how you could have missed them. However, since you have much less experience with me than the others who are here I shall reiterate them now."
Noting that he had the boy's full attention, he continued, "I will not tolerate disobedience or insolence of any kind. If you do not wish a repeat of last night, I suggest that you comply. Violence of any kind towards any individual will not be tolerated. Every student here is attending classes each and every weekday. Your mornings will be spent doing homework from the texts the headmaster provided. Every other afternoon, Lupin will tutor you in those subjects. The remaining afternoons will be spent under the care of Mrs. Weasley. You will attend the wizarding culture lessons on Saturdays, and turn in a weekly report to me of what you have learned. Until I am quite certain you will not attempt to flee again you will be in the presence of adults or restricted to a place from which you cannot escape at all times."
"In addition," said Snape as he withdrew a bracelet from his robe and advanced on the boy, "You shall be required to wear this."
He grabbed Dudley's arm and put the bracelet on. "This bracelet will inform Lupin if you attempt to set one foot outside my manor. I assure you that if you try to run again you will be a very sorry boy indeed. Have I made myself abundantly clear?"
Dudley nodded his head, but then seemed to remember the lesson Snape had impressed upon him the day before, and said, "Y-yessir."
"Very well. There is about an hour left before lunch. You may spend it studying with the others. Follow me." Snape turned to exit the room, fully expecting Dudley to follow him.
As soon as Severus entered the dining room he ordered Dudley to an empty chair. Remus came over to help the boy get started on his homeowrk. Snape had decided that, with the continued threat on the children's lives, that it would be best if all of them were fitted with the locator bracelets. He had spent the morning creating two more controller bracelets that would track three of the teen's activity each, as he did not wish to be chasing after the lot of them himself.
The bracelet he had put on the Dursley boy was actually tied magically to one he planned to give Lupin. Thinking it unadvisable to leave the children unattended, He asked to see the adults in another room one at a time. Both wholeheartedly agreed to the plan and left to attach the aforementioned bracelets to their charges.
Severus entered the dining room again to find Weasley arguing with his mother, adamantly refusing to put the bracelet on. "We're not little kids!" he exclaimed as he threw the bracelet across the room.
Severus strode into the dining room until he was standing directly behind the boy. Before Molly could launch into a tirade of her own, he grabbed Ron by the arm and jerked him to his feet. He led the boy over to where the bracelet had landed on the floor. "Pick it up," he ordered grimly.
Ron looked at the professor, defiance radiating from his entire being. "No," he said.
"Excuse me?" said Snape in a deceptively calm tone.
"I won't wear it," said Ron. "You made Harry wear one of those, and now he's all different. I bet you're using that thing to control his mind somehow."
"Is that so?" said Severus in the same tone. "So you think I have somehow treated these necklaces with a potion or another curse that acts similar to the imperius curse, or perhaps a befuddlement charm that has caused him to not be able to think for himself?"
"Yeah."
"Very well," said Snape. He turned Weasley to face the other children, who all seemed to be in shock. They looked surprised that the potions master had not done something drastic like tear their friend limb from limb for his outburst. While Snape would have liked to do nothing better, he realized this was a good opportunity for an impromptu lesson.
He said, "Miss Granger, are you aware of any such potions or curses?"
Hermione said, "Yes professor, there's..."
But Severus held up his hand to stop her. "No, Miss Granger, you will not tell the other students what they are at this point." Looking at each student in turn he said, "I'm sure you're all aware of the effects of the imperius curse, having witnessed it just yesterday."
When the students nodded, Snape turned to Harry and barked, "Potter! Stand up and bow to me!"
"NO!" said Harry indignantly.
At Snape's raised eyebrow, Harry amended his response, and firmly said, "No, Sir. I bow to no one."
"Are you questioning what I have told you to do?"
Harry suddenly realized what Snape was doing, so his answer this time was much calmer. "Yes, professor."
Snape said, "And did you feel at all compelled to obey my order?""No, sir."
Severus turned to Hermione and said, "Is that indicative of the aformentioned potions or curses, Miss Granger?"
"No, sir, but..."
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Everyone knows Harry has been able to throw off the imperius curse since our fourth year."
"I am well aware of that, Granger. I am merely responding to the accusation that the bracelet on Potter's arm is somehow controlling him. Can any of you think of other things I might have done to the bracelet that might somehow cause Potter to bend to my will?"
Several of the students mentioned various curses. Severus said, "And are you all in agreement that Lupin is an expert in Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
As Severus expected, the students all murmured an affirmative to this. He turned to Remus and said, "Would you like to continue?"
Remus inclined his head. Severus let go of Ron, and moved to the side of the room. Ron began to move back to his place at the table, but Remus said mildly, "You have not been given leave to sit down, Mr. Weasley."
Ron blushed, and looked at the floor when Remus admonished him. Remus continued, "I believe you were asked to pick up the bracelet you so ungraciously threw across the room."
Ron obediently went over and picked up the dreaded item, although he held with only two fingers, as far away from himself as possible, as if it might attack him at any time. He placed in his professor's waiting hand.
Remus said, "You will apologize to Professor Snape for your rudeness."
Ron's eyes widened, but turned to Snape and spat out, "Sorry."
Remus was next to Ron in what seemed like a second. He grasped Ron by the arm and steered him to a corner behind the table. His voice was quiet, but each and every person heard him, "I have had quite enough of your attitude, Ron. You are acting like a five year old, not the young man of 16 I know you to be. Therefore, you will stand in this corner, and consider your behaviour."
None of the other students (except Dudley, who stared openly at Ron) dared move. The message was clear to each and every one of them. Remus would back up Professor Snape if any of them misbehaved. Harry of course, was unsurprised. He had come up against this when he had yelled at Snape over a week ago. He sort of felt sorry for Ron. He looked back at his friend. Even from behind he could see that Ron was now a deep shade of crimson.
"Harry, eyes front, please," said Remus.
Remus began grilling the remaining students on possible dark curses the bracelets might contain. Then he placed Ron's bracelet on the table, performed several verbal spells, and several complicated wand movements that none of the students recognized. The bracelet glowed blue for a few moments, and returned to normal.
He said, "I have checked for every dark curse I know. The bracelet does not contain a one. Before your next Defense lesson, I would like all of you to research how items may be cursed. I would like a report not less than three feet in length." A collective groan was heard through the room.
Remus turned to Severus, and said, "Do you have anything to add?"
Snape moved to the front of the room. He unclasped his bracelet, holding it up for all to see.
"The questions Mr. Weasley asked in and of themselves were quite valid. Had they been presented in an appropriate fashion, he would not be facing any consequences. However, insolence will not be tolerated."
"Now, as to the function of the bracelets. You will notice that this bracelet has a single red stone. The bracelets that your caregivers have each have three of these stones. If any of you are harmed in any way, the stone that correlates to your bracelet will light up, informing your caretakers that they need to find you and see what the problem is. In addition, except for Mr. Dursley, who is not allowed outdoors, the stones will shine if you wander past the wards outside of the manor."
Severus turned to Harry and said, "Mr. Potter, please go into the next room."
Once Harry had left the room, Snape said, "If we need to find you, we can touch the red stone with our wands and it will tell us your general direction."
Snape touched the red stone with his wand, and a beam of red light shone on the door Harry had just left through.
Severus turned to Remus and said, "Tell Potter he may come back in now."
Once Harry had returned to his seat, Severus said, "You will notice that each of the master bracelets also have a blue and green stone. Potter, please raise your arm so all can see your bracelet."
When Harry had complied, Severus tapped the green stone on his bracelet. Harry's bracelet now was enveloped in a green hue. Severus tapped the bracelet again, and Harry's bracelet returned back to normal. Then Snape tapped the blue stone with his wand, and Harry's bracelet was enveloped in a blue hue.
After tapping the blue stone so that Harry's bracelet returned back to normal, Severus said, "These two stones are for sending quick messages. For example, when students from my house are required to wear these, they know that when the bracelet shines green, they are to report to me at once. Any questions?"
Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
She said, "If some of the Slytherins have had to wear these, why haven't we seen them?"
Snape said, "If each of you will notice, there is a clear stone near the clasp of your bracelets. Touch that stone with your wand."
The students obeyed and each of their bracelets disappeared. Severus said, "As you can see, the bracelets can be disillusioned so that only the wearer knows it is there. Are there any other questions?"
Harry raised his hand, and when acknowledged, asked, "Why didn't you tell me about all of this when you gave me the bracelet?"
"You didn't ask, Potter," said Snape with a smirk.
Hermione's hand was raised again. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Why didn't you just make a map like the marauder's map?" she asked.
Severus shared a glance with Remus, yes he knew about the blasted map. Lupin stepped forward and said, "The map took us several years to make. I don't even remember all the spells and potions that we used. It would be too time-consuming."
"Any other questions?" asked Snape.
When no one raised their hand, Severus said, "There is still about a half hour before lunch. I am moving the start of your potions lesson to 2 p.m. I expect each and every one of you to explore the library and come to class with one book that describes at least one of the potions that might be used to curse an object."
Another collective groan was heard throughout the room. Then Snape said, "Everyone is dismissed except Mr. Weasley and Mr. Dursley."
The students each put their work away and rose. Hermione told the others she knew where the library was, and they all followed her. Most of them glared angrily at Ron as they passed, since they believed they wouldn't already have so much homework if he had not acted as he did.
Severus approached Remus and said quietly, "How long do you plan to leave Weasley in the corner?"
"Until he is ready to speak civilly. Had it been any other instructor, I have no doubt that Ron would acted much more respectfully. Are you planning to punish him further?"
"Yes," said Snape simply. He walked over to a corner table, and pulled out a scroll and a quill. He spent some time writing, and then handed the scroll to Remus. "He is to have no help with this," he said before leaving the room.
Remus checked to make sure Dudley was working on his homework before approaching Ron. He put the bracelet on Ron's wrist before he had a chance to object, and then handed him the scroll. He said, "Do you want to tell me what is going on?"
Ron said, "It's just what I said before. Harry's changed. Snape's..."
"Professor Snape," corrected Remus.
"Fine. Professor Snape has never been anything but mean to us. And now Harry's all buddy-buddy with him. It doesn't make sense."
Remus said, "Do you believe that I care about Harry?"
"Of course I do!" said Ron.
"And do you think I would allow Harry to be around Severus if I believed he would come to harm?"
"Well no, but..."
"But nothing," said Remus sharply. "For the first time in Harry's memory, he has a chance at having a family. It may not be a perfect family, but it's better than anything he has had before. The reasons why Harry is growing to trust Professor Snape are his to tell. But I will say this: Every time you put Severus down, you are driving a wedge between you and Harry. You have always been a loyal friend to him. He needs that now more than ever. I suggest that you try to take a step back and look at the issue more objectively. Now, are you ready to apologize appropriately?"
Ron crossed his arms, and defiantly said, "No."
Remus sighed, "When you are ready to apologize, let me know."
He turned and left Ron standing in the corner. After Remus left, Ron opened the scroll he had been given. It said:
Mr. Weasley,
You will research an essay on each and every possible potion that can be used to curse an object. I suggest that it be quite detailed, as you will be presenting it in front of your peers in one weeks time. And to ensure that you do the essay yourself, you will complete it in my presence. Therefore you shall work on it each evening in my lab until it is complete to my satisfaction.
Professor Severus Snape.
Ron grimaced. For him, that was one of the worst possible punishments ever. Not only was he having to study during his summer break, he was going to have to spend the forseeable future with his least favorite professor. And he was still standing in the bloody corner!
Lunch had been served 15 minutes ago, and Ron was still standing in the now much hated corner. Harry had tried to come talk to him, but had been reprimanded by Remus. So here he stood while everyone else was allowed to eat. He was 16, for Merlin's sake, much too old to be punished like this! His legs ached and his stomach was growling fiercely. Sighing, Ron realized he was not going to win this battle. Finally, he said quietly, "Professor Lupin?"
"Yes," said Remus.
"I'm ready," said Ron in a dejected tone.
"Go on," said Remus.
He turned, refusing to look up. This was so humiliating! Forcing himself to use the most sincere tone he could muster, he said, "Professor Snape, I apologize for being rude to you. It won't happen again."
Severus' only response was, "Take your seat, Mr. Weasley."
At the conclusion of lunch Severus called Potter over to him. "Have you already found a book that meets the requirements I stipulated earlier?"
"Yes, sir," said Harry.
"Then come with me," said Snape, as he headed out of the room with a flourish. Harry followed him, wondering what he had done to anger the man. But once they arrived at Snape's sitting room, he was invited to sit in one of the soft chairs near the fire.
"I assume you remember we are supposed to meet for a 'talk' each day."
Harry nodded, and Severus said, "I believe you asked the first question at our last meeting. Therefore, I would like to know whatever possessed you to go and attack a mountain troll your first year."
Harry laughed and told Snape about how Hermione had spent the afternoon in the girl's bathroom, because of what she overheard Ron saying about her, and their subsequent trip to the same bathroom, to try and find her before the troll did.
"And then we saw you, and wondered why you were going to the third floor corrider instead of the dungeons. We followed you for a minute and then saw the troll at the end of the corrider, and when it went into a room we tried to lock it in. Unfortunately the room was the girl's bathroom and we didn't realize until a minute later that we had locked Hermione in with the troll. We couldn't leave her in there alone with a 12-foot monster, so we went in to try and help. So you see," said Harry, "We really didn't go looking for the troll, it found us."
Severus pinched his nose, and then gave Harry a hard look, "You should consider yourself very lucky that I was not your guardian at that time."
Harry blanched, "Why?"
This was the entrance Severus had been looking for. He had purposely chosen one of the boy's exploits, knowing it would more than likely cause this reaction in him. But his words would have to be chosen carefully. He said, "You must understand, Harry, I am used to dealing with Slytherins."
Harry bristled. "What does that mean," he said angrily.
Perhaps a calming potion was in order. He needed to get through this conversation with the boy, as he didn't want Potter hearing from other sources, namely that blasted muggle child. Severus called Fico, and ordered him to bring some tea. When it arrived, Snape took Harry's cup, pulling some calming potion out of his robes. He added it to the drink and handed it to him.
"What's that?" said Harry suspiciously.
"Merely some calming potion," said Severus. "This is an issue we need to discuss, and I need you to remain clear-headed enough to hear me. Drink up now."
Harry began to sip the tea, still feeling a bit wary, but he began to feel the calming potion begin to work at once.
Severus said, "As I said before, I am used to dealing with Slytherins. Except for a few Gryffindors," he said as he gave Harry a mild glare, "Slytherin boys tend be the most rambunctious troublemakers in the entire school. Therefore, most all of them end up in my office at least once during their first year. It rarely takes more than one or two times before they are very sure they do not wish to feel my displeasure."
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Harry said, "Why?"
"Because," said Severus, "I have found that the best discipline for unruly boys is corporal punishment."
The statement hung in the air until Harry said softly, "Why are you telling me this? You promised..."
"Yes," said Severus, "and it is a promise I intend to keep. We would not need to have this discussion if it had not been for the untimely arrival of your cousin."
"What does he have to do with it?"
"While I will never use such a punishment with you due to our promise, and your friends will not receive such punishments from me as they are not my sole responsibility, your cousin is another matter."
"Why is he different?" asked Harry genuinely confused now.
Severus said, "You and your cousin are two very different boys. I think that it would be safe to say if he had magical power, he would be placed in Slytherin. Do you disagree?"
"No," admitted Harry, "The first time I met Malfoy, he reminded me of Dudley."
"Yes," said Severus, "Although they have been raised in two different worlds, I would say they have been taught similar lessons."
"But I still don't understand why you're telling me this."
"Because I will deal with your cousin as if he were a Slytherin," said Snape. "I wanted you to hear it from me before you heard it from other sources. I will reiterate, You and your cousin are two very different boys. In the past, you have been punished for who you are, many times when you had done nothing wrong. Your cousin on the other hand, seems to never have disciplined for anything, being allowed to run wild. I believe it will take stronger measures for him to learn to obey the rules."
Harry thought about it a moment, and said, "But you'll never do that to me, right?"
"As I said to you before, I made a promise to you, and I intend to keep it."
"Can I ask you something else?" asked Harry.
When Severus motioned for him to go ahead Harry said, "That day I got mad, why did you petrify me?"
"What else would you have me do? You were being extremely insolent, your anger was out of control, and you refused to go to your room when asked. Would you rather I had grabbed you by the arm and dragged you?"
"No," said Harry.
Severus sighed. "What was most disconcerting about it?"
"Not knowing where you were taking me, and then being left unable to move," said Harry.
Severus said, "I am hopeful that a similar situation will not happen again. However, if it does, I will talk to you immediately and let you know what is going to happen."
"And you won't leave me petrified?" asked Harry hopefully.
"I won't leave you petrified," agreed Snape. "You do realize that you were there only a few minutes don't you?"
"Seemed like a lot longer to me."
"I'm sure it did. At the time I was so angry that I didn't consider that it might remind you of your previous treatment with your relatives. However," Snape said with a harder tone, "I was quite serious when I told you the consequences next time would be harsher. If you act out in anger you will spend a great deal of time writing lines or doing chores until I am quite sure you do not want to repeat the experience."
Harry blushed and said, "Yes, sir."
"Now," said Severus, "We have been speaking on some very serious topics for some time. It is nearing time for your potions lesson. So I am going to let you go, but I would like you to think of a question you might want to ask me tomorrow, hopefully on a lighter note. Get out of here before your friends are convinced I've diced you up and added you to one of my many potions."
Harry laughed and left the room. He wasn't sure what he thought about knowing that Dudley was getting spanked. A part of him felt it was his just desserts for all the years of bullying he had gone through. Another thought passed through his mind. He had another reason to be extremely grateful he had never been sorted into Slytherin.
Severus couldn't believe it. The students had made it through a potions lesson without a single accident. Snape thought that a miracle with this particular group. Severus had decided to allow the fifth year girls to work together as they were learning all new material. Since Granger had been given the task of keeping track of Longbottom, she was not required to brew a potion herself.
He was actually quite proud of the effort that Potter had made. They had started with the first potion the students had made fifth year, the Draught of Peace. Potter had been the only one to set his ingredients in order before beginning. He had also been the only one to make an acceptable potion. When the class was finished, he ordered each student to write the instructions on the board, and handed them each an ingredient journal, with instructions on how to use it. Those who hadn't been able to make the potion correctly were set with the task of writing a report on what mistakes they had made, and each student (save Weasley, who already had his assignment on the topic) was to turn in a report on one potion that could be used to curse an object.
As Snape thought back on the lesson, he realized perhaps he had been remiss in some of his teaching. Severus had given up on the students long ago, but if someone as abysmal at Potions as Potter could improve with a few instructions then maybe there was some hope for the rest of them. Except for Longbottom. Severus marveled at how a student so adept in Herbology could be so abysmal at potions. They were related after all.