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“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”
“Well, I’m not a very nice person.”
Little Harry Potter, four years old, looked up at the man who had recently taken temporary guardianship of him, Severus snape, and tried to stop himself crying in front of all these big kids.
“But-but Sevy! You haf to be nice, of else the big kids won’t like you!”
“Oh, trust me Harry, they already hate me enough.”
Severus glared at a snoring noise that came from a ravenclaw at the back of the classroom.
“But but Sevy!” He snuffled. “You are nice!”
“Harry, get on with your colouring and let me teach these third years before one of them burns an eyebrow off.” Severus could have sworn he saw a tear fall down Harry’s tiny little cheek.
“Say sorry to the huff and puff!” He said, is with tears definitely falling down his cheeks.
“I will not apologise for the little brat failing to follow instructions!”
Harry’s eyes went wide, and he let out a wail.
“Oh, Harry!” The Hufflepuff who snape had been busy insulting rushed out from behind her cauldron towards harry. “It’s alright, professor snape doesn’t need to apologise to me. See, I’m fine!”
“Bu-but but he called you stoo-pid!”
“It’s okay, harry, calm down.” She stroked Harry’s hary, and his wailing calmed down.
“Miss Brown, I think I can deal with my ward myself. Please go and tend to your hideous looking potion while I deal with the child.”
“Yes sir.” She said, sqeezingharry ince more and running back over to her cauldron.
He saw Harry’s face, and decided it was worth the humiliation. He turned to look at the third year. “And… I apologise for calling you stupid.”
Harry finally smiled at him.