Whelp II The Wrath of Snape

hill -- much slower than Harry would have gone, but Mrs. Weasley wasn't a 'young thing' any more, so they had to 'take it easy on her old bones' -- when she said, 'It must have been . . . startling when I tried to take your hand, to show you a different writing technique.'

Harry sucked in his breath and darted a look at her, but she wasn't yelling, still, and didn't look angry, so he decided to tell her the truth. 'Yes, ma'am. I . . . that was when I 'membered what Aunt Petunia did.'

'I understand,' she said quietly. 'And I'm glad you told me.' She was silent for a few more paces, and then, as they reached the last steppe, said, 'Does your . . . father know?'

Harry shook his head sharply. 'I can't! I'm not s'posed to tell.'

'Was that one of their rules? At your aunt and uncle's house?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

Mrs. Weasley nodded. 'You know, of course, that your father has different rules than they did. That he wants to know if anything bad happens. Or if something startles you because of things they did.'

It took Harry a bit longer to respond this time, but finally he nodded. 'Yes, ma'am. We have diff'rent rules.'

'And he cares for you a great deal,' she pressed. 'And wants to know if anything bothers you. As do I.'

Harry peered at her some more, trying to decide if she meant it. He thought she probably did. He gave her a tiny smile. 'Yes, ma'am.'

Mrs. Weasley smiled back. 'Good. Let's see if I can wrangle the rest of the children together. I think we all need some outdoors running around time, though, don't you?'

Harry nodded with a grin. 'Yes, ma'am!'

The next few minutes were spent with Mrs. Weasley dispelling some kind of spell that had made Ron's hair and skin green, and scolding the twins, who looked as innocent as Treacle could, with their twin wide eyes and upturned faces, while Ginny giggle behind her hands and Harry watched the whole thing bemusedly.

But then there was a game of tag, played with practice Snitches in gold and red and blue. As he jumped and ran and laughed along with the other children, Harry was able to put the horrible writing lesson and the memories of the Dursleys behind him, at least for a little while.

TBC . . .

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*Chapter 12*: Chapter 12

Whelp II -- The Wrath of Snape

By jharad17

Chapter Twelve

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Honest. She's rich, blond and British. I'm not.

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Previously:

But then there was a game of tag, played with practice Snitches in gold and red and blue. As he jumped and ran and laughed along with the other children, Harry was able to put the horrible writing lesson and the memories of the Dursleys behind him, at least for a little while.

Severus was waiting for them in the sitting room, and when the door to his quarters opened – by Molly; he had reset the Wards to allow her entry while she was tutoring Harry – he stood immediately so he was visible, not