waxixs.cc 
Draco relaxed and nodded. “I just forgot,” he said quietly.
“It’s okay,” Harry said easily, relieved that Draco was so easily reassured.
Both of them looked around the room curiously. It was actually a large room, probably as big as the dorm Harry was used to, but this room only had the one bed. Harry wondered if Dumbledore had enlarged one of Snape’s rooms—or if this room had even been there the day before.
The bed which they were currently still sitting in was actually at the far end of the room. Two pairs of wardrobes were stationed on either side of the bed. Harry rolled his eyes, realizing that the pair on the left had all of Draco’s dragons on top. The house elves had moved literally all of their things, including all of Draco’s sixteen-year-old clothes.
Draco’s extra trunks, full of whatever, were in the corner, Harry’s single trunk in the corner on the other side of the bed. There was a fireplace at the other end of the room with a grouping of furniture arranged in front of it.
There were a couple of desks off to one side, one child-sized for Draco to use and one for Harry to work on his assignments. A pair of bookshelves flanked the desks. The shelf next to Harry’s desk had his school books and all the books that had been in his trunks, along with materials like extra parchment, ink and quills. On Draco’s side, already unpacked, were all the books and art supplies they’d bought the day before.
Centrally located was a large play area, tailor-made for Draco. Low shelves along the wall held all of his toys. A small table was in front of the shelves and it was easily large enough for Draco to do puzzles, blocks or whatever he really wanted.
There were two doorways leading from the room. One Harry assumed led to a bathroom and one to Snape’s sitting room. He vaguely remembered walking through it to get to their room the night before. For now, it was time to check to see if the other door actually led to a bathroom or not.
It was indeed a bathroom and Harry quickly decided that he wouldn’t have to try to find the time to take Draco to the Prefects’ bathroom anymore. They had access to their own personal bathroom that rivaled that of the Prefects’ room, with a huge bathtub/swimming pool. Although, Harry appreciated that the room had a shower as well.
As they got ready for the day, Harry decided he was happier than he’d thought he’d be, moving down to the dungeons. With rooms like this, he could handle the fact that he was technically living with Snape.
Once dressed, they went in search of Snape and breakfast, finding both waiting for them as they left their room. Snape’s rooms had a small, open kitchen off the sitting room with a small dining table. Snape was seated at the table, sipping tea and reading the Daily Prophet. Breakfast dishes were laid out, obviously waiting for Harry and Draco.
Suddenly, Harry was uncomfortable again. He felt distinctly out of place in Snape’s personal chambers. Draco was clearly comfortable, though, and scrambled up onto one of the chairs and was cheerily greeting his godfather.
Harry sighed, sat down next to Draco and started filling Draco’s plate for him. He was really wishing Snape would quit watching him all the time. He poured some pumpkin juice for Draco then himself, before beginning to fill his own plate and start eating.
“Why are we eating in here?” Draco asked the question Harry was wanting answered.
“I always eat breakfast in my chambers on Sunday mornings, Draco,” Severus said evenly. “It is one of the few times I am allowed for myself, away from students.”
Harry flinched lightly and set the fork back down that had been halfway to his mouth. “I don’t have a problem with going up to the Great Hall,” Harry said quietly, looking up at Snape through his fringe. He really, really did not want to impose on the man.
“Potter, I will enjoy my godson’s company in what little free time I have available to me,” Snape sneered. “At this time, this appears to mean that I will be . . . enduring your company as well. You will stay.”
Harry looked back down at his plate, not feeling particularly hungry anymore. He really shouldn’t be feeling hurt by Snape’s words. He knew the man loathed him, and Harry had allowed the more truce-like situation because of Draco to lure him into believing otherwise.
Harry could feel Snape’s eyes boring into him for several moments longer, probably waiting for a rude response from Harry, before shifting his attention to Draco and asking him how he liked his new room.
Draco began chatting away happily about their new room. Harry snorted inwardly when he realized that while Snape had referred to it as Draco’s room, Draco was referring to it as both his and Harry’s.
Harry remained silent because he really didn’t want to get into any arg’ments with the man at the moment, especially on unfamiliar territory that happened to be extremely familiar to Snape. He reminded himself that he was there for Draco’s sake.
Draco or not, Harry was really wondering if he’d made a mistake agreeing to this move to the dungeons. The tension really wasn’t worth the trade-off of the nice rooms. Harry glanced at Draco’s shining face as he talked excitedly about all the things he wanted to play with that they’d bought the day before. Harry’s lips curved into a slight smile. Well, maybe it was worth it anyway.
Harry sighed and turned his attention back to his plate and took a few small bites. He did not feel like eating.
“May I be excused?” Harry asked in a lull in which Draco was actually eating instead of chattering at his godfather.
Snape looked at him sharply, eyebrow raised in faint surprise. Harry wanted to shout out that, yes, he actually had a few manners, but remained silent, waiting for an answer.
“Are you okay, Harry?” Draco asked worriedly, noticing that Harry hadn’t really eaten much. The boy was far too observant about Harry’s eating habits.
“I’m fine, Draco,” Harry said patiently. “I just want to get started on some of my homework, and then I’ll have more time to play with you later.”
“What’s homework? I haven’t seen you do any homework,” Draco said in confusion.
Harry closed his eyes, not exactly feeling patient anymore, but still valiantly trying to pretend at least. “It’s the assignments that the professors have assigned for us students to do outside of class time. I haven’t had much time to work on mine over the last few days,” Harry explained.
“Because of me,” Draco said quietly.
Argh! Harry wanted to scream. He was highly conscious of Snape’s eyes boring into him again and just wanted to leave the damn room. But he wasn’t about to leave Draco feeling uncertain.
Harry gave the small boy a hug. “Yes, I haven’t had much time because I’ve been adjusting to this new situation with you.”
Draco’s head drooped and Harry put a finger under Draco’s chin, tilting his head back up so he could look Draco in the eye. “The last few days have been very important to me, Draco, and there’s absolutely no way I would’ve rather spent my time working on assignments when I could be with you.”
Harry risked a quick glance at Snape and the man’s face was twisted slightly, obviously torn between shouting at Harry and keeping quiet because of Draco. Harry’s eyes met Draco’s again. “I’m going to have to spend more time studying, but we’ll sort things out as we get used to things so that it’ll work out best for both of us. All right?”
“But work is more important,” Draco said quietly.
Harry closed his eyes briefly and wanted to curse Lucius Malfoy anew. “Work is important, but it’s never more important than you,” he said to Draco.
“Really?” Draco asked, his brow furrowed.
“Really,” Harry said with a grin. He was getting used to this little really thing they had going.
“Okay, Harry,” Draco said, relaxing again and smiling at Harry.
“Now, it may not be more important, but I still need to try to get some of it done,” Harry said, still smiling reassuringly at Draco. “I’ll be right through that doorway over there,” he said pointing. “So you know right where to find me, but you can still enjoy your breakfast and spend some time with your godfather.”
Harry stood, not caring anymore that he hadn’t actually been excused.
“But how come you didn’t eat?” Draco asked innocently before Harry could leave.
Argh! The urge to scream was back. “Um, I guess I’m just not really hungry this morning,” Harry said.
Draco nodded in acceptance and finally turned back to his own breakfast.
Harry absolutely refused to look at Snape and finally went back to his new room. Rather than starting on his assignments though, like he should be, he got out the journal instead. He hadn’t had a chance to write in it the night before. Besides, he was still feeling edgy about the situation with Snape and could use some downtime before he had to focus on assignments.
* * * * *
September 5
Actually today is the 6th, but I was practically asleep while walking when we got back here last night, so I’m writing it this morning instead. I can practically hear you in my head saying that I’m an idiot Gryffindor that can’t even figure out the days of the week correctly.
But as a 4 year old, you had a wicked time yesterday . . .
* * * * *
