Harry would need to demonstrate that he was far from easy prey in order to dissuade assaults, though hopefully Snape's position in Slytherin and Harry's sorting into Gryffindor would reduce the likelihood of such attacks. Assuming the lions and snakes wouldn't attack him, that only left Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs, and Snape wasn't all that worried about those Houses. Besides, making Harry an honorary Weasley should provide him with plenty of backup.
"Merlin help you if you start a fight," he continued, giving Harry a menacing glare, "but if another little dunderhead is foolish enough to try something with my ward, you had better demonstrate that you are well able to protect yourself. I will not have my reputation diminished; do you understand?"
That Harry could understand perfectly. The Dursleys were very concerned about their reputation too. It made sense that Professor Snape wouldn't want Harry to seem weak or stupid, now that he was going to be responsible for him.
"This is also why I will expect you to succeed academically," Snape continued firmly. "I will not be embarrassed by poor marks."
Harry bit his lip. "But I'm not good at school stuff."
"Who told you that?" Snape demanded.
"My aunt said тАУ"
"And what did I say about your quoting them?" Snape interrupted before Harry had even finished speaking. He was half tempted to make good on his earlier threat.
"Y-you said they were liars and I shouldn't?" Harry offered nervously, his mind going down on a similar track as Snape's.
"Exactly. Shall I have you write that five hundred times in order to remember it?" Snape threatened. "Or do you prefer the soap?"
Harry tried to distract the dour man. "But I've never gotten good grades, sir. I got in trouble for falling asleep in class and the teachers were always yelling at me."
"Potter," Snape managed to gain control of his temper. At this rate he was going to have an ulcer before the week was out. "Do you not see that some of that was due to your relatives' treatment of you? Can your tiny mind comprehend that being undernourished and overworked impaired your scholastic performance? Your parents were accomplished wizards and excellent students, and I expect no less from you." It pained him to admit that about Potter, but it was undeniably true.
"But my uncle said that freaks were stupid and my parents were worthless drunks who couldn't hold down an honest job," Harry protested. He didn't want the professor to think that he was smart and be disappointed later. "That's why I had to learn how to earn my keep by doing chores."
"Your relatives are appalling creatures who mistreated you since you were a toddler. You are a child. You do not have to 'earn your keep'. It is the adults who are obligated to care for you, not the other way around. You are obliged to attend your classes and obey the rules. I am responsible for feeding you, clothing you, housing you, caring for your emotional and physical maturation, and otherwise ensuring your welfare and safety. Do you understand?" There. That was clearly stated in small words. Even a Potter should follow that.
Naturally, the boy looked confused. "But Uncle Vernon said тАУ"
That did it. "Five hundred lines, Potter! I told you not to pay attention to that lard-filled balloon."
Harry flinched at the tone, but couldn't restrain a giggle at Snape's description of his uncle. "Yes, sir. I'll try to get good marks. But I really don't know very much."
Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I realize you are your father's son, Potter, but perhaps you might consider studying or doing homework? Perhaps reading a book once in a while?"
"I'm allowed?" Harry asked cautiously. "I'm not supposed to read or do homework in case I get better grades than Dudley."
"And who told you that?" Snape asked silkily. He would give the brat another 500 lines and wash his mouth out with soap if he uttered that Muggle's name, he swore he would.
"Unc тАУ" Harry caught himself and actually grinned. "Oh. Right."
Snape glared at him another moment before continuing: "From what you tell me, it is obvious that you will require remedial tutoring. I shall speak with your Head of House. If тАУ as I suspect тАУ Gryffindor is lacking in suitable tutors, you will report to my quarters several times a week until I am satisfied with your performance." Snape gloomily bade farewell to his peaceful evenings free of horrible, mewling brats. At least Death Eater meetings were adults only.
"So I just have to go to class and follow the rules?" Harry said in tones of dazed happiness. "That's all?"
"That was too much for your father," Snape sneered. "I trust you have not inherited his talent for mischief or you will not like the consequences. You will find me, at least, difficult to manipulate."
Harry's brow furrowed. He really wanted to hear more about his dad тАУ though Snape's tone was far from encouraging тАУ but he was more worried about those threatened "consequences". "I'll be good, sir!" he promised.
"You'd better be," Snape retorted, though he wondered what he would do if the boy misbehaved. Well, aside from verbally filleting him. He was reluctant to do anything that smacked of the boy's previous life, and cleaning cauldrons or being confined to his room were uncomfortably close to what the Dursleys had done. Oh, Harry wouldn't make it through Hogwarts without having a few detentions with Filch, but Snape wanted such punishments to be related to his student status. It was one thing to be punished the same way as his classmates, another to be treated тАУ again тАУ like a house elf or prisoner by his guardian.
So what did that leave? The boy had no trinkets or hobbies which could be temporarily forbidden. Lines and essays might work, Snape mused, but he would need to make a foray to the toy stores of Diagon Alley to find some things that the child liked. Only in order to withhold them as punishment, he reassured himself hastily. It wasn't as if he were desperate to make Potter happy, for Merlin's sake.
Then again, considering how abysmally ignorant the brat was about all of Wizarding society, he probably should take him on regular outings to various Wizard destinations, such as Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Then, when the little monster misbehaved, he could be denied the excursion. That should be worth a few tears. Snape smirked in satisfaction. Never let it be said he couldn't find ways to torture a Potter, even if it did mean a further curtailment of his own free time.
"Honest, sir!" Harry gulped. "You won't need to belt me hardly at all."
"Did you not hear what I said before?" Snape exclaimed angrily. "Irritating child! You will learn to pay attention to me."
"But тАУ but тАУ" Harry gazed at him in confusion. "What did I do?"
"I told you that I will not mistreat you." Again, Snape silently added. "You will not be beaten with a belt, Potter."
Oddly, Harry did not look reassured. "Please, sir, not the cane."
Oh, for Merlin's sake. He really needed to get the boy some adequate spectacles. "Come with me," Snape ordered, yanking Harry up and pulling him down the corridor to the door into his classroom.
Harry's heart thudded wildly. Why had he even bothered to ask such a ridiculous thing? After the professor had been nice enough to promise that no one else would hit him, and that he could run and duck and even protect himself from bullies, what had Harry done? Had he thanked Snape? Or promised to make him proud? No, he had sniveled about not wanting to be whacked with the cane. It would serve him right if the professor walloped him for his ingratitude and cheek.