Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters... I just like to write fictional situations that deviate from the original plot.

Well, here is the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it. Please forgive any grammatical errors.

-SS-

I looked up at the clock on the wall of my living room, ascertaining how late my ward was. To my dissatisfaction he still had ten minutes. As I began to ruminate on what punishment he would receive if he was late, the door to my quarters was swung open. In came a sweaty, but grinning boy.

"Sorry Severus, Ron begged me to play chess and I was sure he would beat me faster. Apparently I've gotten good because he was having a bloody awful time trying to win. He's insisted I learn after that life size chess game. Anyways, I wanted to be early- you know, keep you on your toes- so I ran all the way here."

"You're very lucky to have gotten here early. I don't approve of tardiness."

To my shock Harry rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I would have been in big trouble. You can tell me all about it after we get to our house."

The way he said "our house" with such pride made me smile, on the inside of course. The fact that he was so excited about seeing my home, that he was so excited about living with me in that home, made me feel an abnormal feeling. I suppose it was the oh so human emotion of pride and happiness.

"Very well, we will be going to Spinner's End first. The purpose of this will be to examine your room. We will then apparate to Diagon Alley where we will get things for your room along with new clothes," I had learned of the less than pleasing state of his clothing thanks to his relative's idea of proper clothing," After we are done with that we will go back to Spinner's End to put up all of our purchases."

"That sounds brilliant! We should go."

He reached over and latched onto my hand, dragging me towards the fireplace. I had told him the previous day we would be traveling to my, or rather our home by floo.

"Would you like to go through by yourself or with me?"

I couldn't believe I had offered that, but Albus would kill me if Harry went missing because he had gone to the wrong place.

"Nah, I think I can do it myself."

I nodded and handed him the floo powder. I had explained the process the night before.

"Remember; do not revert to your usual habit of mumbling. State 'Spinner's End' clearly. When you get there move from the fireplace. I will be right behind you."

Harry nodded and threw the powder down.

"Spinner's End!"

And he was gone. I gave him a few seconds to right himself, Merlin knows he had fallen upon arrival. One's first floo travel experience never ended with grace and poise. Slight color was brought to my pale face as I recalled my first experience; I had face planted in front of Lucius, who had proceeded to tease me mercilessly. I threw the powder into the fireplace, said my destination, and within seconds found myself standing next to a shocked child. Harry looked around my study in awe. I, too, looked but saw nothing to inspire such wonder. It was rather worn down; I only kept it up enough to be considered livable. I much preferred my quarters at Hogwarts. This house held too many bad memories; hopefully memories that would be erased with happy ones. I held back a gag as this thought crossed my mind. When had I become so sentimental? The study itself wasn't very impressive. It was dark and slightly dusty, as I hadn't set foot in it since the previous summer. I waved my wand and the dust disappeared. It looked similar to my office at Hogwarts, apart from the fact that I had more books here. A small bookcase sat at the end of my desk, which was littered with parchment that held my notes. The bookcase held all of my potion journals, starting from back when I was in first year. Even then my love had potions had developed into a fascination. The bookcase was small, it only had three shelves, but all of them were full. Every wall was also covered in bookshelves that all held a massive amount of books. In the corner sat a black, leather chair. I made a silent decision to add another, smaller, desk to the room. Harry could do his homework in here. Just looking at the room, unless you read what the books contained or looked closely at their titles, it looked like a normal study. There were no random vials of potions or jars of ingredients like the ones that littered my office at Hogwarts. Those were located in a potions lab that resided in my basement. Again, I made a mental note to add a table to the lab; Harry would practice brewing this summer.

"This is the study. You'll have a desk here as well so you can work on your schoolwork."

Harry nodded slightly, still taking in his surroundings.

"Would you like to see everything else or do you wish to read one of my countless books?"

"Yes, please."

"Well, I hate to do it, but we can delay our trip so you can read. Apparently Miss Granger does have a good influence on you."

"SSeeevvverus," Harry whined my name," you know what I mean. I want to see the rest of the house."

I acted surprised.

"You mean you don't want to read my books? Even the ones I have on quidditch?"

"You have books on quidditch," Harry practically shouted.

"No, I'm afraid these books are about everything but quidditch."

"Haha, you are such a comedian. Why you went into potions I'll never know."

"Oh, didn't you know, I make most of my money on the side doing stand up."

Harry grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Can I see the house now?"

I nodded and motioned for him to follow me into the dark hallway. I led him into the kitchen. This was the one room in the house that I had updated. I had put modern appliances in so I could cook. A tiny dining room was separate from the kitchen by a long counter. After showing him around the kitchen I led him back down the hallway and up to a bookshelf located at the end.

"All you must do to reach the staircase is tap your wand against the shelf twice."

Harry nodded as I demonstrated how and then led him up the old, rickety stairs. I pointed to a door.

"This is my room. Do not enter without knocking; I will not appreciate you barging in unannounced."

I had scars I wished to hide. If he barged in while I was dressing, I would have to explain, and explaining that was something I did not like to do. I moved across to the door directly opposite of my room, the door that held the room that I had grown up in. I had moved everything out of it so it was completely bare, except for a bed that I had purchased for him, my old desk, and an old dresser. The room was ready for him to decorate however he pleased. I opened the door and led him in.

"And this, Harry, is your room."

I watched as Harry looked around, taking in his new room.

"It isn't much, but it is all yours."

I grunted as he collided with my chest.

"It is perfect, Severus! I can't wait to live here."

Ignoring his blatant show of sentiment, I spoke," It appears all we need to purchase is bedding, curtains, and a desk for the study. Perhaps a bookshelf as well so you can put your books on it."

Harry nodded into my chest. After permitting him the embrace for a few moments longer, I pulled back. I was not looking forward to the shopping trip, the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley never failed to annoy me, therefore I was in full mission mode.

"Now, before we leave, is there anything else you might like for your room?"

Though he hesitated, Harry shook his head.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, it's just… I thought maybe…," he trailed off.

"What? You must ask me, child. I'm not a mind reader."

So that statement wasn't completely accurate, but I wasn't going to use legilimency just to find out what he wanted.

"Well, I had money left from the beginning of the year, and I thought we might be able to stop at the quidditch store so I could get a poster of the Chudley Cannons. You know, to hang up on the wall."

"I suppose, if you behave yourself."

Harry whined," Severus, you make it sound like I'm little."

I ignored this and sent him a glare.

"You will do well not to get into any of your foolhardy, dunderheaded adventures while we are out. Now, shall we apparate."

Harry nodded.

"Very well, hold onto my hand and Do. Not. Let. Go. You are going to feel an odd sensation and then we will be in Diagon Alley."

I found myself gripping his hand as tightly as he was gripping mine. Ready to go, I apparated us to Diagon Alley.

-SS-

The furniture was easy enough to buy, I simply bought a replica of my desk for the study and a small bookshelf for his room. They were shrunk down to fit in my robes until we returned home. The bedding was an entirely different matter. I fleetingly contemplated pulling my hair out but in the end it would do no good. The child couldn't, or rather wouldn't make a decision. When he contemplated a particular piece of bedding he would look to me for approval. I had told him multiple times that as it was his room it was his decision yet he wanted my approval. I understood this, or at least I tried to, but when he wanted my opinion on a mere pillowcase I couldn't help but feel slight irritation. I was drawn out of my thoughts to the present by a crow of satisfaction.

"Severus, I think I've decided. I like this comforter with these sheets. They'll be perfect."

Harry looked up at me from under a fringe of hair, clearly waiting to see my reaction. Holding back the temptation to tell him again that it was his bloody room and he could decorate it in pink for all I cared, I turned my attention to his choices. If I was completely honest with myself, I would admit that his color choice was surprising. The sheets were a light, almost sky blue, whereas the comforter was a dark blue. The lack of red surprised me, an opinion which I voiced. Harry's answer to my statement of "Who's a loyal Gryffindor now" was one that immediately made me regret my snarky comment.

"I like blue; blue is very calming and happy."

I nodded, not able to think of a good rejoinder, and went to purchase the bedding. With the items purchased and shrunk to fit into my pocket I escorted Harry to our next stop, Twilfitt and Tatting's. While I didn't particularly enjoy this shop, it was the only place to buy clothing besides robes in Diagon Alley and as I didn't want to visit muggle London that day, it would have to do. I could only hope that Narcissa hadn't chosen today to go on a shopping excursion.

"Harry, you have two choices, a choice I am giving you because I do not wish to bore you. You can stay here and choose clothes while I make a quick run to the Apothecary for a few ingredients, or you can come with me to the Apothecary after you get your clothes."

"I think I would like to join you at the Apothecary."

"Really?"

I was slightly surprised as he had shown no inclinations of liking potions before. Granted, my behavior towards him did nothing to foster any interest in the art of brewing, but part of my severity in class, aside from my dislike of his father, was due to a need to keep order. Brewing was a very serious and dangerous business, something that required total control and order.

"Yeah, I mean you like it and I kinda want to be able to understand why you do. I figured if I came with you I can watch you in action."

I couldn't hold back a roll of my eyes.

"Picking up some random ingredients won't really allow you to see me 'in action', as you say, however you may come along. You'll have to watch me brew to truly see me in my element."

"Oh I plan to. Now that your my guardian," the pride could be heard in his voice as he said 'my'," I'm gonna have to do better in potions. I have like my own private tutor. I can't let the Slytherins outdo me! You're mine! I gotta make you proud."

I pulled him into an alcove close to the door of the clothing store. As much as I recoiled from the blatant sentimentality I was about to show, I knew it was completely necessary.

"Harry, no matter how you perform in your classes, specifically mine, you will make me proud. You are a very intelligent boy."

I almost choked on my words. The sentimentality was killing me. I had to do something to bring back some of my evil exterior. The next thing I knew, I would be dressing in bright colors.

"Granted, you will be expected to have good marks. You are my ward after all, and an honorary Slytherin. You will not be a slacker."

There, that was better. I awkwardly patted his shoulder and then pulled him into the clothes store. One hour later a very happy boy and myself walked out of the store with a new wardrobe to replace his atrocious one that was made up of hand me downs that were way too big.

"Before we go inside of the Apothecary I feel I need to tell you to not touch anything. This is very important."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I'm not five Sev, I know not to touch things because they are shiny. Aunt Petunia taught me that early, mainly because when I was three Dudley's toys looked cool."

I wasn't sure what to react to. The fact he had called me Sev, or what he had said about Petunia. After a moments hesitation I decided both could be addressed at a later time, in an appropriate setting. For now I would let it drop.

I know this one ends kind of abruptly but I really wanted to end it here and get back to Harry.

Please, please review! The more reviews I get the more encouraged I feel. I've decided to offer a reward to the first reviewer. :) Here it is. The first review that appears for Chapter 6 will be rewarded with the first 500 words of the next chapter. (I might add that this chapter is in progress, so you will receive the first 500 words at least a few days before the actual chapter is posted...)