Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/7679362.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling
  Character:
      Harry_Potter, Severus_Snape, Tom_Riddle_|_Voldemort, Draco_Malfoy, Lucius
      Malfoy, Narcissa_Black_Malfoy, Bellatrix_Black_Lestrange, Albus
      Dumbledore, The_Weasleys, Hermione_Granger
  Additional Tags:
      Character_Bashing, Dumbledore_Bashing, Weasley_Bashing, Child_Abuse,
      Sexual_Content, Sexual_Abuse, Good_Severus_Snape, Good_Slytherins, Good
      Dark_Lord, Creature_Fic
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-08-04 Updated: 2016-12-15 Chapters: 6/? Words: 14122
****** A new beginning for all ******
by fflover0910
Summary
     Having decided on following his intuition Severus apparated before he
     could regret it. Seeing the door open and who opened it, Severus knew
     that the small boy would change everything he knew - for the better.
     This is AU-ish. There will be AD, MW, RW and GiW Bashing, Good 'dark'
     lord and Death Eaters. Will eventually end up being HP/TMR and
     others. Rated M for future chapters.
Notes
     A/N: So, a disclaimer right? Well I do NOT own HP, I am merely
     borrowing a few characters and the universe...
     As I am still pretty new at writing fics, comments and suggestions
     are warmly welcomed.
     I hope you enjoy, thanks and Cheers :)
***** Chapter 1 *****
                           A new beginning for all.
 
He had apparated to a street a few blocks away. Looking around, the Potions
Master, made sure that nobody had seen him, magically, appear out of nothing.
Walking slowly towards his goal, while perusing the neighbourhood, he thought
of why he was there. The mere thought of his destination was appalling.
Rounding the corner, he crossed the street, having – unfortunately – seen the
house he was looking for.
 
Walking up to the house, Severus sneered at the front garden and the appeal of
the house, everything seemed so clean, looking like something out of a
magazine, but also looking too ‘unnatural’.
 
Walking up to the front door, Severus took a deep breath and knocked thrice.
Only his strong self-control let him keep his stoic slytherin mask. Beyond the
door, no higher than his thigh stood he.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
                                        
Having just finished cleaning up after breakfast without any mistakes or
accidents, Harry was given his chores for the day. The next more confusing than
the last; wash the house, remove weed in the garden and all potted plants,
water the flowers, mown the lawn, clean the house top to bottom – inside and
out – clean the garage, the list continued on and on.
 
Harry decided that he better get started, after all he had to finish before
uncle Vernon came home from work, or he would be in for a world of pain. For
every chore he left half-finished he would get the belt 15 times – he had
counted – and for every undone chore he had… Harry shivered, and not the good
kind, he didn’t even want to think of it.
 
He started off making an order of how to do his chores, not wanting to leave
any behind. Walking towards the hall, Harry heard his uncle come down the
stairs, and he waited, before going towards the stairs, not wanting to be alone
with the man. Only when Harry saw his uncle enter the living room, did he enter
the hall. And as fate would have it, as he passed the front door, there was a
three firm knocks.
 
“See who it is you freak”, Harry pulled further in on himself, took a calming
breath and opened the door. Looking up he was faced with a – in his opinion a
quite tall man, taller than aunt Petunia or some of his teachers from
preschool.
 
The man had a weird look in his eyes when he looked at Harry, and Harry didn’t
know if he liked it or not, but he didn’t think any further of it, instead
choosing to speak “Yes? How may I help you?”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus took a second looking at the small boy, smaller than most of those his
age. The big emerald green eyes could be seen peaking up at him from under the
bangs of his messy black hair. The lightning bolt scar barely visible. However,
the thing that made Severus' blood boil was the visible bruises along Harry's
cheekbone, throat, shoulders and collarbone. Giving an assuring smile, Severus
said “Yes, I’m looking for Petunia Evans?”, seeing the confusion in Harry's
eyes, Severus corrected himself, “Petunia Dursley”.
 
Harry's eyes lit up in recognition, and said quietly “Please wait a moment”.
 
Harry pushed the door closed put didn’t close it completely, not wanting to
seem rude. Walking towards the living room, Harry stood in the door, “Aunt
Petunia? There is someone here to see you.” Seeing the woman sigh and get up
from the couch, Harry moved a little so that she could get out if the door, but
while passing him, Petunia’s hand made contact with the side of Harry's head,
hard. “Well? Don’t you have chores to finish?” Harry who had ended up on the
floor, scrambled up wincing as pain shot through him, nodded.
 
Uncle Vernon who had seen it all just grinned and got up making to follow
Petunia to the front door.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
When the door opened again, Severus was faced with one childhood friend he
wished he could forget – Petunia Evans. The horse like woman had not aged with
beauty like her sister, more or less the opposite. Behind her stood a man the
size of a walrus, Severus didn’t even dare ques his weight.
 
Having made up his mind while he waited for the door to reopen, and to get out
of there as fast as possible, Severus looked at the woman, smirked and said
“Hello Tunie”.
 
The woman, having gone all pale, looked like she had seen a ghost, started
shaking. She took a step back and all but slammed the door in Severus' face.
Not liking his ‘warm’ welcome, Severus waved his hand and the door slammed
open. Stepping inside, he looked down his nose on the two adults.
 
Vernon finally having gathered his non-existing all but screamed, “GET OUT OF
MY HOUSE YOU FREAK. ONE FREAK IN THE HOUSE IS ENOUGH, WE DON’T NEED ANOTH…” the
rest of the sentence was left unheard as Severus silenced the man with a quick
spell.
 
“I’m not here, to hear your whining Dursley!” Severus gave him a hard glare.
“I’m here to get Harry.” Seeing Petunia and Vernon pale even more, he took the
chance and performed a quick and painful ‘legilimence’. What he saw made him
see red! He quickly shot two stunners of and hit them both, not wanting to go
overboard – read lose control – with a child in the house.
 
Passing the stunned adults, Severus passed the door to the living room, and
what he saw made him both wince and sneer. Harry was on his hands and knees in
front of the couch and a whale like boy, easily three times the size of Harry,
had propped his legs on to Harry's back. Severus stepped into the room, his
sneer intensified and the small whale froze in fear. “MUUUMMM, MUUMM. THERE’S
SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE!.” It appeared as if the boy had inherited his father’s
lungs.
 
  Severus ignored the whale as he tried to run out to his parents in the hall,
tried to run. Instead he only had eyes for the boy in front of him.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry having felt his cousin Dudley freeze, hearing him shout and move away
from his position on the couch, slowly turned and raised himself to sit back on
his feet. When he found a comfortable position he looked up curiously at the
stranger, who had been on the other side of the front door.
 
“Hello Harry”, “Do I know you?” The man seemed to know him, but Harry had no
idea who he was. “My name is Severus Snape and no you don’t know me, but I knew
your mother Lily.” Harry's eyes got even bigger than they already were, Severus
was pleased to notice, they had widened with awe and surprise.
 
Before Harry got to open his mouth, Severus, assuring and calmly said “I’m here
to pick you up. To take you somewhere safe. So gather all your belongings, we
are leaving within the next five minutes.”
 
Harry looked at the man – Severus – in disbelief and surprise, searching the
ma… Severus' face, Harry only got another assuring smile and a small nod. Harry
hurried to his feet and went past Severus and opened the cupboard under the
stairs, gathering the small soldier figurines in his soft blue baby blanket, as
well as a black teddy the shape of a dog and a few other small trinkets, Harry
was quickly back by Severus' side.
 
Severus wasn’t surprised by the small amount of things Harry brought back with
him, having seen the horse and walrus’ memories. He simply extended his left
hand to Harry and softly asked him to take it, and proceeded to lead Harry out
of his childhood ‘horror’ home. Standing just outside the door, Severus looked
back inside, brought forth his wand and waved it over and towards the
Dursley’s, then towards the door, making it slam shut.
 
Severus turned to Harry, and sat down on his knees, looked him in the eyes and
said “Where we will be going, is somewhere you will be safe. Nod if you
understand.” Seeing the nod, Severus continued “We will be traveling by
apparition. It is something that can make your stomach turn. What I want you to
do, is put your arms over and around my shoulders and place your head in the
crook of my neck, and the close your eyes. Understood?”
 
Harry nodded, but looked down at his blanket, he looked back at Severus
questionably, Severus just smiled and reached for the blanket and using his
wand touched it to the bundle and like magic it kept getting smaller until
Severus could place it in his pocket. Looking with awe and wonder in his eyes
and stepped closer to Severus and place himself as Severus asked. The older man
stood up making Harry wrap his legs around the man’s waist. Getting comfortable
in Severus arms, Harry could feel the man Nodding, asking if he was ready to
go. Harry nodded his eyes closed and asked “Severus? Where are we going?”
Severus gave a genuine smile and said “Wiltshire, Malfoy Manor”. And they were
gone with a crack.
 
TBC
***** Chapter 2 *****
Chapter Notes
     A/N: Disclaimer, as the former chapter said, I do not own HP or his
     universe. Merely borrowing :)
I hope you enjoy, though there is a
     warning on this chapter, explicit description of child abuse, don't
     like don't read!
     The 'bad' things are in-between these linebreaks: ^X.o.o.O.o.o.X^,
     but the worst is at the end of the chapter.
     Reviews and suggestions are welcome, as always :)
     - fflover
                                  Chapter 2.
 
With a small ‘pop’, Severus and Harry appeared in front of the doors leading
into Malfoy Manor. Before doing anything Severus looked down on his small
companion, “Are you alright Harry?”, Harry in return only burrowed his face
deeper into the crook of Severus' neck and nodded. Severus gave a crooked smile
and raise one hand to knock on the double doors.
 
Seconds ticked by before the door was opened. “Whats can Tippy do to help?” The
small elf was looking directly at Severus and Harry. “I need to speak with
Lucius. Is he present?” The little elf nodded and opened the door wider “If
yous will waits here, Tippy will get Master.” Severus stepped inside and looked
around unimpressed by the grandness of everything.
 
Minutes went, before a familiar sound reached Severus' ears. The thumps of a
person walking along with the clicks of a cane, and not long after Lucius
Malfoy appeared in front of the stairs going to the first floor. “Severus my
friend. How may I be of help?” Lucius looked genuinely curious while regarding
both Severus and the small figure resting on his friend.
 
“I was wondering if we could be allowed to stay here for a while, seeing as
Spinner’s End is no place for a child and the place needs to be unsuspicious
for various reasons.” If anything Lucius only looked more curious and
interested. “Of course my friend. You are aware that there will always be a
room for you here. You can take the room across the hall from yours for the
child. I will see to it that the elves clean the room.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry could feel Severus nod in, what he assumed was, thanks and made his way
upstairs. Taking a left and they walking for miles in Harry's opinion until
finally they came to a stop, they were at the end of a hall, three doors were
visible, one left, one right and one ahead of them. “OK Harry, the door to the
left is my room and that makes the door on the right your room.” Harry felt
stunned, he sat up in Severus' arms and looked at the man in disbelief and
asked quietly “My room?”
 
Severus felt his anger rising, but kept it under control, and smiled at Harry,
put him down on his feet and held his hand out. Harry looked up to Severus'
face and back down to the hand, slowly and hesitantly Harry grabbed the hand.
Severus lead Harry to the right side doors, they were a beautiful mahogany
reddish-brown wood compared to Severus' doors that were a matte black.
 
Severus encouraged Harry to open the door, and when he stood behind Harry
inside the room he could feel Harry shaking. Getting down on his knees in front
of Harry, Severus could see tears falling down Harry's cheeks. Wiping away the
tears, Severus said calmly “This room is all yours Harry. You don’t have to
share with anyone, you don’t have to give anything, this room is yours.”
 
Harry wrapped his arms around Severus' neck and shoulder and cried, nobody had
ever given him anything of this value. He had received Dudley’s old clothes and
the old mattress from Dudley’s old toddler bed, but he had never had his own
room. He had had his cupboard and the few trinkets that were in Severus' pocket
but that was it. “Thank you Sev’rus,” Harry's voice was shaky because of the
crying but when he drew back there was a beautiful smile on his face.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
After making Harry sit on the bed, with his back to the headboard, Severus
placed himself on the edge facing Harry. “Alright Harry, the first thing we are
going to do is heal your bruises. So I need you to tell me where it hurts, OK?”
Harry looked very uncomfortable but nodded anyway. But instead of talking about
it Harry pointed to his collarbone, “Hurts”.
 
Severus nodded and called forth his wand, “We as witches and wizards can do
magic. Every witch and wizard has a wand, like this, but not one wand is the
same. With our wands we can do spells, there are many different spells, such as
the ones I’m going to use now are healing spells. Can you take of the shirt for
me Harry? That would help me very much.”
 
Harry moved a little forward and pulled his arms through the big sleeves.
Pulling the shirt over his head, Harry threw it on the ground, where Severus
had indicated he could throw it. Harry started to shiver, when he suddenly felt
something wash over him, leaving him feeling warm and cosy all over. Harry
looked at Severus curiously and that man shrugged while saying “Heating charm”.
 
                                ^X.o.o.O.o.o.X^
 
Now that Harry's shirt was off, Severus could finally see the damage done, and
it left him seething, “How dare those muggles do this.” Harry's left shoulder
and collarbone was in an array of colours going from a sick yellow to the
darkest of purple. The whole of Harry's right side was a deep blue indicating
it was not new but not old either. Severus pulled out from his ropes Harry's
small blanket and placed it on the other side of the boy, as well as a small
black pouch, that contained potions and creams.
 
Taking of his ropes Severus threw them at the foot of the bed, leaving him in
slacks and a white-grey button down. Opening the pouch Severus pulled out some
bruise removal paste, “This might be a little cold,” he warned. Taking a little
of the paste, Severus ran it across his fingers to warm it a little and
proceeded to smear it over Harry's right cheekbone.
 
Harry closed his eyes and stiffened, expecting pain, but when he only felt
Severus' fingers softly smearing out the paste, he slowly opened his eyes, to
see Severus looking at him with a sad smile, “I promise you Harry, I will never
hurt you. I will never raise a hand towards you. At some point in the future
you will probably annoy me, but I will never, never, hurt you. Now scoot
forwards I wish to put this paste on your collarbone and shoulder, as well as
your sides.”
 
Scooting forward Harry turned his left side closer to Severus, so he could
better reach. Not warming the paste this time, Severus smeared a thicker layer
on the shoulder and collarbone, then indicating for Harry to lay down on his
left side so he could smear more paste on the right side, Severus caught a
glimpse of Harry's back for the first time and froze. From shoulders to the
small of Harry's back was full of welts. Severus unfroze himself and began
smearing a thick layer of paste on Harry's side.
 
“Say Harry, does your back hurt?” the question was asked calmly and slowly as
not to scare the small boy. Harry stiffened but slowly nodded. “Okay Harry, can
you take off your trousers for me, that way I can see if there is any more I
need to heal? When you’ve done that you can turn on your stomach and I will
heal your back, okay?”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
When Harry first heard Severus speak about his back he froze, but gave him a
nod, the pain was there but not unbearable. Severus' next request made Harry
shake, the nervous kind, what would Severus say when he saw? But Harry pulled
his courage together and sat up, untying the string he used as a belt, Harry
could pull his trousers off without much trouble. Throwing the trousers to
where he had thrown the shirt, Harry slowly turned around and laid down on his
stomach, and waited.
 
Not long after he heard a sharp intake of breath. He knew what Severus could
see, he had after all seen it himself not long after the bruises were made. As
everything Harry owned of clothing had once been Dudley’s Harry didn’t have any
underpants, as they were way too big and would fall down and annoy Harry while
he was working. So Harry laid nude, shaking badly, on the bed, giving Severus
full view of his back side.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
When Severus saw Harry sit up and untie his belt, he turned his head to the
opposite side to give him a little privacy, when he heard Harry lay down he
slowly turned, only to draw in a sharp breath. Further down on Harry's back, on
the small of his back and his hips were clear bruises the shape of handprints.
He could see Harry shaking, do to being nude or the knowledge of what he was
showing, Severus didn’t know, but he cast another heating charm.
 
“Harry, I wish for you to be honest with me, you do not have to speak if you
are uncomfortable, but if you could nod or shake your head in positive or
negative answers, understand?” Getting a nod from Harry, Severus found the
black pouch and accio’ed a flask of essence of dittany, laying the pouch on the
bed, Severus turned back to Harry, “What I am about to do is drip some dittany
on the welts on your back as well as the welts on the back of your thighs,
understand?” He got a nod in return. While dripping the dittany on the welts,
Severus started to ask his questions, instead of being frank, he shielded the
questions to make them more innocent. “Alright Harry, has your aunt or uncle
ever beaten you?”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry thought it was a weird question, but nodded anyway. “Has your uncle ever
used something like a belt when he beat you? Or anything alike?” Harry thought
it over, uncle Vernon loved hitting Harry with his belt if he had done
something bad or only finishing half of a chore, so he gave Severus a nod in
return. “Has your aunt ever touched you, and made you very uncomfortable?”
again Harry thought it over, but he couldn’t think of anything so he shook his
head.
 
“Alright I’m moving back to the bruise paste now, okay Harry?” Harry nodded.
While Severus was smearing the paste in, he also lightly massaged Harry's
muscles. “Alright Harry, one more question; Has your uncle ever touched you,
where it made you very uncomfortable and made you hurt very much?” Harry didn’t
have to think it over, but his reply was a very slow nod.
 
“Will you point to where your uncle touched you, Harry?” Severus asked
cautiously, not knowing what to expect, but Harry's arm slowly moved and Harry
pointed towards his bottom, and said in a whisper, “he touches my willy and my
bum, he keeps touching my… my willy until it h..hu…urts to muuuch and I cry
out, then he.. he… does something to my bum, tha…that makes it hur…hurt very
much.”
 
Harry was now silently crying and shaking, thinking he might have done
something wrong and Severus wouldn’t want him anymore. The next thing he knows
is being covered with a blanket and gathered up in Severus' arms.
 
                                ^X.o.o.O.o.o.X^
 
Severus was comforting him, whispering words of praise and promises. “Harry you
did so good, I promise, I will never hurt you, I will never leave you, I will
be by your side until you wish to leave me. I will stand by your side.” Harry
had burrowed his face against the crook of Severus' neck and was starting to
dose of. He was happy and he felt safe in the arms of Severus. So when he heard
Severus' next words, the response couldn’t have felt more right to him.
 
“Sleep tight, Harry, I will be here when you wake.”
 
“G’night papa.”
 
 
***** Chapter 3 *****
Chapter Notes
     A/N: Disclaimer, as the former chapter said, I do not own HP or his
     universe. Merely borrowing :)

     I hope you enjoy!
      
     Reviews and suggestions are welcome, as always :)
     - fflover
 
                                  Chapter 3.
 
Severus was sitting in one of the wingback chairs, facing the fire, in Lucius’
study. He had been sitting there for the last few hours after leaving Harry so
the boy could sleep.
 
Walking out from Harry's room, Severus had headed straight for the study and
the Firewhiskey. Joining him after little time was Lucius, looking concerned.
So after drowning two weeks, worth of whiskey in two glasses, Severus told
Lucius everything he had learned.
 
                                   X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Having ended that term’s last teacher’s meeting, Severus followed Albus
Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to his
office. He had a hunch that the old man was lying or hiding something about
Lily’s son, Harry Potter. 
 
“So, Severus, you wanted to ask something of me?”   
 
“Yes, Headmaster. While I have been walking around in certain circles or areas,
a certain someone has been the topic for most of the conversations. They are
talking about where he is staying, if he is safe and many have wondered what
power he holds. Many wish to get their hands on him, for the deeds he has done.
So perhaps some  security should be made for the boy?” 
 
Severus had phrased his sentence to appeal to the headmaster, it was not
something he would usually ask, but one – annoyingly always present - hunch
kept coming up whenever they spoke of the boy.
 
“We do not need protection for the boy, Severus, he is perfectly safe, from all
wizards and witches, at where he is now. He has a roof over his head, and
enough food in his stomach, to get through.” There it was, ‘to get through’
those three words always irked him, and the way the Headmaster said them, made
him worry.
 
“Of course, Headmaster. Perhaps the public should be told he is safe and sound?
So they would not suddenly get creative and tried to look for the boy?”
 
“Perhaps you are right, Severus. I shall think of something to write for the ‘
Daily Prophet’, informing them of Harry's well-being. Thank you for informing
me, Severus.”
 
Severus nodded and left the Headmasters office. He had a bad feeling. Very bad.
What the Headmaster had just told him, was the same, word for word, as he had
told, Lupin and the other bloody chickens in the last meeting. Nobody phrases a
sentence word for word like this, unless it had been rehearsed, more than once.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
It had been 5 years, since the night in Godric’s Hollow. Harry would be 6 this
summer. Severus had always thought of Lily and therefor her son, Harry.
Sneaking into the latest Order meeting, disillusioned, Severus had heard Black
and Lupin ask about Harry, and hearing the response had Severus worried, the
phrasing was no coincidence, it was well thought of.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus made his way down to the dungeons and his quarters. Halfway there
Severus stopped, dead in his tracks, blinked owlishly – though he would deny it
any day – turned on his heal and stormed out of the castle, towards the
apparition spot, and turned before he could regret it.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
                                        
“It did not sound ‘real’ whenever he told me the boy was safe Lucius, it irked
me in a way I cannot explain. It is why I have come here, I left little magic
behind, so they cannot trace me, and you would be the last person they could
think of asking, as you would have no idea, as to where you would even find or
look for the boy.”     
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Lucius nodded along as Severus told his story, and he could feel his own anger
rise whenever Severus talked about the young child’s wounds and bruises. The
child he had seen had been the same age as his own son, Draco, but Harry had
easily only been three quarters of Draco’s current size. It was worrisome, even
Lucius would admit that. 
 
And to think the muggles had harmed a magical child in such a way! It was
unforgivable!
 
“I think there is someone we need to converse with Severus. Someone who knows
what it is like and what we should do to help.” Lucius’ look convinced Severus
that there was no declining the offer. 
 
“So be it my friend. Lead the way.” They both stood and Severus moved out his
hand to indicate that Lucius should go first.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
He first noticed that the bed he was on, was not his own. It was really soft
and warm, and he never wanted to leave it. Slowly opening his eyes, Harry,
looked around the room – his room, his brain supplied him – the duvet was
encased in a soft emerald green bedding and the sheets under him were black.
The comforter on top of the duvet was a mix between; green, black and silver.
The comforter was black in itself, but the motives on it, were different shades
of all three colours.
 
The motives, he noticed were moving. There was a bird flying around on it, and
Harry followed it with his index finger, he gave a small smile when he noticed
it flew towards him and not away from him. 
Harry suddenly felt a common urge, and he quickly surveyed the room, right to
left, a walk-in closet, the door to the hall and finally, a bathroom.
Scampering from the bed, Harry darted to the bathroom to relieve himself. 
 
When he was done, he looked around and felt himself like a prince, everything
was beautiful and big. The bathtub looked like it could hold five people,
easily. Harry washed and dried his hands. Walking out of the bathroom, Harry
went back to the bed and looked out the window towards the sinking sun. This
had worried, while he had his room and he did not have to give anything to keep
it, would they like for him to help with dinner or cleaning? He hoped not, not
with the size of these rooms.
 
Harry stopped his musings when he heard the door open. He looked up to see a
boy with white blonde hair looking at him, he drew the duvet and comforter
closer to his body. “C..can I help you?” he asked quietly. The other boy only
shook his head slightly “May I come in?” he asked politely.
 
Harry looked confused, the boy looked like a younger version of the man Severus
has talked to in the entrance, so this had to be this boy’s house, and he was
asking Harry if he could enter the room. Harry tried to blink away his
confusion and nodded a positive for the boy.
 
The boy moved to the side of the bed, Harry was sitting at and pointed to a
spot, about 4 feet away, “May I sit here” he asked. Harry could again only nod.
The boy climbed up and looked to face Harry, a smile on his face, “Hi, I’m
Draco, what is your name?”
 
“I’m Harry.” 
 
“Did you come here with uncle Severus?” Harry could only nod in return.
 
“How old are you?” Draco asked.
 
Harry thought a little before answering, in a small insecure tone “Almost
six.” 
 
Draco nodded, having heard the tone, decided to go ‘easy’ on his new
housemate.   
 
“Well Harry, what do you like to do?” the question was innocent enough, but
Harry had no answer, because he didn’t know what he liked to do, so he shrugged
his shoulders with the result of the comforter sliding down, giving Draco a
sight of his still healing bruises. Draco drew in a sharp breath and put the
few pieces together he had collected, this boy had been hurt, and badly. In
which ways Draco had yet to figure out, but he wanted to start of simple, by
making friends.
 
“Would you like to try things with me? We could find out what you like to do?
We could do things together, as friends?”
 
“Fr…frie…friends? Y…you wa…want to be frie..friends, with me?” Harry stumbled
over his words while looking at Draco like he had grown a second head. Nobody
had wanted to be friends with Harry, because Dudley always bullied or scared
them of, so the thoughts of this boy wanting to be his friend was
unbelievable. 
 
Draco could only smile encouragingly and nod “Yes, I would, very much like to
be your friend, Harry, if you would let me, that is.”
 
Harry thought his jaw would fall off and all he could do was nod
enthusiastically, “Yes, I would like to be your friend.”   
 
Draco held out his hand, “Well then, would you like to come to my room?” Harry
was about to get up, when he remembered, he wasn’t wearing any clothes. He told
this to Draco while looking down on the duvet.
 
There was a hand, slowly approaching his own, and when the fingertips touched
his hand Harry felt a tingle go through him, “Don’t worry Harry, I can help
with that.” Draco said with a smile. 
 
“Dinsy…”, “Whats can Dinsys be doing for young Master?”, “Would you get some of
my old clothing until we can get Harry something of his own?”, “Yes, young
Master, Dinsy bees doing that now.” And with a pop the elf was gone.
 
“Draco” mentioned boy turn to Harry, “What was that?” Draco look a little lost
until Harry pointed to where the elf had been standing and his eyes lit up
“That my dear friend, was a house-elf, they are the ones that clean the house,
cook our meals or bring us things we cannot find”
 
With a small pop Dinsy was back in the room, her small arms full of clothing
for Harry, “young Masters friend try this, see if fits.” She put the clothes
next to Harry, who started with the pants. Harry was delighted when he found
that they fit. Next he put on the socks and then the trousers and finally the
button up. 
 
All Harry had to do was fold up the trouser legs and the shirt sleeves and then
everything would fit. He had never had clothes that fit so well, he had had a
constant smile on his face while he was dressing. Draco who had seen the smile,
smiled as well, happy for his newest friend.
 
Draco stood on the floor and reached his hand towards Harry, “Come on, I’ll
show you around and then we can go to the dining-room for dinner, alright”
Draco looked expectantly at Harry, waiting for an answer. Harry nodded, grabbed
Draco’s hand and followed the other boy out of the room. On the way around the
manor Draco talked about everything and nothing – where the paintings came
from, what old he was, why the paintings could move, his favourite colour and
so on, Harry was content and happy to walk hand in hand and listen to Draco, he
felt safe, not as safe as when he was with Severus, but it was close.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
“I apologise, but would you repeat that?” Severus could not get himself to
believe what he had just heard nor what he was seeing in front of him.
 
“Of course Severus, I can understand all this is hard to process.” The man who
spoke was an old friend of Severus and Lucius’. In front of both men sat a man,
his eyes tinted with red, looking no older than 28, despite being more than
thirty years the senior of both men, the man was Tom Riddle, also known as Lord
Voldemort.  
 
“Let us start of simply, I was not the one to kill James and Lily Potter. The
old goat, has fooled the whole Wizarding World. He has created an illusion that
I was there that night, he is the one calling my group Death Eaters,
associating my anagram ‘Voldemort’ with being a cruel and evil man.” There was
a small break. 
 
“You know me Severus, you know what I stand for, my opinions. Has the old man
ever said anything remarkably close to those beliefs?” Severus turned to his
mind, and concentrated on his years with his Lord, but nothing came forth, so
he tried harder and harder until he suddenly felt a box like thing break.
Everything came rushing back, the old man had been the one there, on Halloween
night of ’81. 
 
Tom had had nothing to do with it. The Headmaster had changed his, and everyone
involved who showed a certain amount of disloyalty’s memories, so they fit the
Headmasters goal of the so called ‘Greater Good’.
 
“No, Tom, the Headmaster has never said anything close to it.” The word
‘Headmaster’ was said with as much hate as one could muster. 
 
Lucius chose to intervene at this point, “Why do we not go to the dining-room,
eat and then we can return to our talk.” The other two nodded and together they
rose and walked towards the dining-room.     
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
When Draco and Harry had finished the guided tour, both of them where starving.
Making their way to the dining-room still holding hands, they stopped dead on
their feet, when they realized they were being watched, by four adults, three
male and one female.
 
Harry quickly hid behind Draco, and looked at the new people in the room.
However, when he saw Severus, he ran as quick as his legs could carry him, and
as soon as he had reached his goal, he was lifted up and he quickly hid his
face in the crook of Severus' neck and hugged the man around his shoulders.
“Sev’rus, missed you.” 
 
Severus chose that moment to chuckle, a rich baritone rumble washing over
everyone in the room. “How are you feeling Harry, any better?” Severus could
feel Harry nodding his response. Sensing the boy just wants to cuddle and not
answer questions, Severus turned his attention to the blonde haired boy, his
Harry had come in with. 
 
“Tell me Draco, was he awake when you went to his rooms? Or did you wake him
up?” the questions were asked with a knowing smirk on Severus' lips. That was
usually how Draco operated, if there was a new child in the manor, he would
demand they play with him.
 
“Mother told me there was another child in the manor, and that I had to be
quiet when I went to him, as he wasn’t feeling very well, so I knocked and
opened the door slightly to look in. Harry was already awake, sitting up in
bed.” As his godson didn’t look guilty as he sometimes did when he lied,
Severus took it for the truth and nodded. 
 
“Come, let us dine. Severus will Harry be sitting with you?” Harry nodded into
the crook of Severus' neck, making Severus nod as well.  
 
“Harry?” feeling the boy move to look at him, Severus looked the boy in the
eyes and said “I would like for you to meet my closest friends. You of course
know Draco and this is Narcissa, she is Draco’s mother. This I Lucius, Draco’s
father and this is Tom, Tom Riddle”
 
Harry looked to each individual as they were introduced, “It is nice to meet
you.”
 
“Well Harry, it is a pleasure to meet you as well” Harry looked to the red eyed
man and nodded.
 
“Shall we eat then? I am sure that my dragon can tell us all about your
afternoon adventures?” Narcissa looked at the men and lead them to the dining
table.
 
 
TBC
***** Chapter 4 *****
Chapter Notes
     A/N: Disclaimer, as the former chapter said, I do not own HP or his
     universe. Merely borrowing :)

     I apologise for the long wait, but getting an almost full time job
     over the summer and then starting UNI with work part time, has left
     me with little ‘me-time’. This chapter isn’t as long as the others,
     but gives small hints to what could happen in the future :)
     Reviews and suggestions are welcome, as always :)
     - fflover
                                  Chapter 4. 
 
Having eaten the best meal, he had ever had. Not that he could eat much, but he
ate a little of everything, and it was delicious. Harry took the chance to look
around from where he was sitting in Severus' lap. Ms. Narcissa was beautiful,
her long blond hair, was pulled up and away from her face allowing it to flow
down her shoulders. Harry could see a few strands that had stayed and framed
her face. Her blond hair and almost white complexion made her blue eyes pop.
 
Next to her, at the head of the table was Lucius, the man looked regal, and
Harry admired his looks, the man was very handsome, Harry believed this is what
Draco might look like in the future, and he hopes to be around to see it. To
Lucius’ right is Draco, looking very much like a Lucius mini-me. Harry cannot
help but giggle at that thought, and if Severus felt it he said nothing. Moving
on to the last person in the room, Harry studied him from under his fringe,
trying – and failing – to make it look like he isn’t looking.
 
The man sitting at the other end of the table looked a little younger than
Severus, but Harry couldn’t decide. Mr. Tom, Harry believed, was a god, despite
not being very old, Harry could see the power the man holds. The way he sits
and holds himself or the way he was conversing with Lucius and Severus, he
talked with knowledge and confidence and the thing Harry found most interesting
was the man’s eyes, that crimson red colour, they were almost magical.
 
The word made Harry giggle again, during his walk around with Draco, the other
boy had talked about the magical world, its wonders and mystical allure. Harry
looked back to the table in time to see it change from desserts to biscuits,
cookies and coffee and tea.
 
Harry eyed the teapot, next to the crimson-eyed man, but doesn’t say anything,
Severus had already done so much for him – the man had even shared his plate
and cutlery – so he didn’t want to ask for any more than that.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus was finishing his wine, when the tea arrived. He waved a hand and the
coffee made its way towards him, he felt Harry still in his lap, so he looked
down to see what had caught the young boys attention, seeing the direction, his
lips turned up into a small smile. Taking a sip of his pure black on black
coffee, he swirled his left hand and a smaller teacup and saucer made its way
towards the teapot, a flick with his fingers and the teapot was pouring some of
its content into the cup. Another flick made the teapot stop pouring and the
saucer slowly made its way towards Harry. When it touched down in front of the
boy, a few chocolate biscuits had been added on the saucer around the cup.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry sat in Severus' lap, in genuine awe – the display of magic was awesome –
and when he saw the direction of the cup and saucer, he sat completely still.
When the saucer had made touchdown Harry almost couldn’t move, was he allowed
to have tea? He hadn’t asked for it, so he looked up to Severus, to see the man
looking at him with a fond smile, Harry looked back to the teacup, and then
back to Severus, he made a small gesture with his hand as if to say ‘for me?’.
All Severus could do was give a sad smile and a nod.
 
Harry picked up the teacup, blew on it a took a small sip. Strawberry and
raspberry. Harry hummed and blew some more, and took another sip. Placing the
teacup back on the saucer, Harry grabbed one of the biscuits – chocolate – his
favourite.
 
Finishing his tea and biscuits, Harry leaned back on Severus, who placed his
arm around him, making sure he wouldn’t slip to the side. It didn’t take long
for Harry to fall asleep, for the first time in a long time, he was content,
full and felt safe.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus felt Harry's breathing go even, indicating he had fallen asleep.
Severus smiled down at the young boy, how anyone could ever treat such a
precious child to those kind of horrors, he didn’t know. He didn’t want to
know. Looking up, Severus looked around and gave a small nod to those present –
his friends, his most trusted – rising from the chair, with Harry safely tucked
in his arms. “I’m going to tuck him in.” not waiting for a response, Severus
left the dining-room and made way towards their bedrooms.
 
Walking down the dimly lit hallways, Severus could finally think about what he
was going to do now. Going back to Hogwarts, that was out of the question. How
was he supposed to hide Harry from the ‘not-so-good’ headmaster? Arriving in
front of Harry's door, Severus pushed his magic out so it would open. Walking
towards the bed, Severus held Harry firmly with one hand, so he could use the
other to pull back the comforter and the duvet.
 
Placing Harry carefully on the bed, Severus – with the wave of his hand –
changed Harry's clothes into a night shirt and trousers. Tucking the duvet and
comforter around the small boy, Severus made to get up when he felt something
pulling his sleeve. Looking down into sleepy, emerald coloured eyes, Severus
smiled “Yes, Harry?”, “Paddy, need paddy”. ‘Paddy’ Severus couldn’t even
imagine what a ‘paddy’ was. So he looked to Harry for a clarification of what
the boy needed.
 
“My doggie, my paddy, my Padfoot.” Harry was looking at the small bundle of
things he had brought with him. Severus in his shocked state grabbed the bundle
and found the teddy, to his surprise there was a stitching on the back leg,
which read ‘Padfoot’. Giving the teddy to Harry, he leaned down and placed a
kiss to the boy’s forehead, “One of the elves will leave you some clothes for
tomorrow, as well as show you the way back to the dining-room. If there is
anything don’t hesitate to come to me, alright?”, “O’ay, night papa Sev’rus.”
 
Severus could only smile, he didn’t think Harry would remember what he had said
about the clothes, and was certain it was Harry’s unconscious that had called
him papa, but he didn’t mind, not one bit.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Walking into his own room just across the hall, Severus sat down behind the
desk, head in his hands. ‘Padfoot’, that word, that name, it woke many long
lost memories that both Severus and the mind block had hidden.
 
Padfoot, Black, Sirius, his mate. Severus dug around in the draws of the desk
in search of parchment, ink and quill. Having found the items, Severus began to
compose a letter, Sirius had been in Azkaban for 5 years, and it was time to
get him out. Fudge was not an option, the man hung to every word the headmaster
said, so next best, with the authority to give someone a trial, Amelia Bones,
head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
 
Calling for one of the elves to take the letter to the Owlery, Severus sat down
in his chair, exhausted. Taking a deep breath Severus walked to his bathroom,
standing in front of the mirror he let his glamours fall. Standing before him
now, was a healthy looking male, not looking a day over twenty. His crooked
nose wasn’t a prominent, but still present. His lanky, greasy hair, looked
fuller and curled at the end. His eyes were still the deep brown almost black
colour, except now you could see specs of red and grey, flickering around.
 
He smirked to himself, if the students ever found out that the rumour about him
being the bat of the dungeon was true, they would be even more scared of him,
he could legitimately threaten them with using them as potions ingredients. The
ingredient being their blood. Perhaps he could use other parts, but blood was
the most important one.
 
Despite not having to drink blood, and that he could eat like a ‘normal’ human,
the students didn’t need to know that. Replacing his glamour, Severus decided
that he would tell Harry the next day, for now, he would finish his nightly
routine, try to work into his brain that he had decided not to return to
Hogwarts. Turning of lights in the bathroom, Severus walked towards his bed,
pulling the comforter back, he slipped in, and not long after he fell asleep,
thinking about Harry.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry woke up with a scream stuck in his throat. He was shaking and drenched in
sweat. It took him a minute to recognise where he was, ‘Malfoy Manor’. His eyes
were darting around the room, searching for the tormenters his nightmare had
brought with it. He could see no one in the room, could hear nothing but his
own heart beating wildly in his chest. He wanted his papa, he didn’t care that
he had only just met with Severus, but calling him papa was just so right.
 
Grabbing Paddy, Harry slipped out of bed and walk towards the door, opening it
and crossing the hall, he raised his hand to knock, ‘What if Severus didn’t
want him in his rooms? But he had said he could come to him, if there was
anything’ with renewed confidence, Harry knock silently on the door, after
counting to five, Harry opened the door to peer inside.
 
Severus was lying on the bed facing towards the door, Harry could see that his
eyes opened a little wider when he saw who it was. Without saying anything, he
hugged paddy tighter to him and walked to the bed, “Papa, I had a bad dream”,
Severus simply smiled, “I’m glad that you would come to me Harry, thank you.
Now come one, it is late and little ones need their sleep”, with that said he
raised his covers and invited him in.
 
Harry quickly climbed onto the bed and under the covers. Paddy was still hugged
tight to his chest and he didn’t lessen it until his papa had wrapped his arms
around him. It felt nice, while one arm was hugging paddy close to him, his
other hand had found its way to Severus' night shirt holding it, not letting
go.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus placed a kiss on Harry's forehead, “Goodnight Harry, I will see you in
the morning.” The only response he got was a content ‘hum’ from Harry. Knowing
that the boy in his arms was safe, he whispered a cleaning spell on Harry and
his clothes, to remove the sweat, and then fell back to sleep.      
 
TBC
***** Chapter 5 *****
Chapter Notes
     A/N: Disclaimer, as the former chapters say, I do not own HP or the
     universe. Merely borrowing :)
     So I officially don’t like UNI, to many assignments, leaving way too
     little me-time, also having work on the side… and unpredicted visits
     to the ER, not fun.
     But here we go, a little longer than the last chapter.
     Hope you enjoy :)
     Reviews and suggestions are welcome, as always :)
     - fflover
                                  Chapter 5.
                                        
Harry woke up slowly, freezing when felt a body move next to his own.
Carefully, Harry looked up, and breathed out a sigh of relief, it was Severus.
His papa had held him all night, and Harry couldn’t have felt more content,
couldn’t have felt more secure. Harry wiggled closer to Severus’ warm body,
enjoying the feeling of being held.
 
“Are you done wiggling, you little worm?” Severus’ tone was light and teasing.
Harry just pouted and looked up at Severus, said, “No”, and proceeded to bury
himself further into Severus’ heat. Realizing how he had acted Harry froze in
fear, ‘would Severus be mad at him for acting like this? Would he be punished,
after all nobody wanted someone who acted like a baby and threw tantrums and
pouted?’
 
Harry felt a rumble spread throughout Severus’ chest, looking up he could see
the man holding back a laugh. When Severus looked down and saw Harry’s scared
expression, he lifted one of his hands and began petting Harry’s head, soothing
the young boy’s nerves. “I am glad you are feeling up to mischief young one,
shall we see about getting up and ready for the day?” 
 
Harry looked into Severus’ eyes, searching for the glint in them that would
tell him whether Severus truly didn’t mind Harry’s acting or he minded and just
hid it really well. Finding proof of his first presumption, Harry nodded and
reluctantly let go of Severus. Hugging his Paddy, Harry got out of bed and
looked around his Papa’s rooms, there was a desk in one corner surrounded by
bookshelves, lined to the brim with books. The desk looked out over the gardens
of Malfoy Manor. Harry thought it was a beautiful sight.         
 
Some of the flowers Harry could see were roses, he recognized the common red
rose, as well as two once-flowering once; Madame Plantier and Madame Hardy,
both beautiful white roses. He could only recognize them because his aunt
Petunia, had talked about wanting them in the garden. Remembering his aunt,
Harry shivered – the bad kind of shivers. Continuing his look around, he could
see the Papa’s room was a lot like his own, he just didn’t have the large desk
or the full bookcases. His Papa also had a fireplace with a couch and two
armchairs, all three were in a deep brown leather that seemed to fit the colour
scheme of the room; dark greens, black and hints of silver.
 
Hearing a door open brought Harry out of his ‘daze-like stage’, turning around
Harry saw his Papa come out of the bathroom dressed in slacks and an off-white
button down. Walking towards Severus, Harry asked “Papa? What do these colours
mean?” gesturing to the room.
                                        
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
Severus smiled as Harry addressed him, he could get used to that. Lifting Harry
up, Severus walked out the door and into Harry’s room. Placing Harry on his
bed, Severus walked to the closet and pulled out some of Draco’s old clothes
that had been sized down by the elves during the night, he would have to thank
Narcissa for that. Walking back to Harry, Severus got on his knees in front of
the boy and helped him out of his pyjamas and into the clothes he had just
picked, all while saying:
 
“These colours represent one of the houses from Hogwarts; Slytherin, the house
of the cunning and ambitious. It was the house I was sorted into, Lucius and
Tom as well; green, black and silver. Hogwarts is the school where all witches
and wizards from Great Britain goes, or those that have been written up by
birth. Hogwarts teaches young witches and wizards to control their magic, and
teaches them things that are important for their future in the wizarding world.
 
Hogwarts has three other houses, besides Slytherin. There is Ravenclaw, the
house of wit and knowledge; blue and bronze. Then there is Hufflepuff, the
house of the loyal and just; yellow and black. The last house is Gryffindor,
the house of the brave and chivalrous; Scarlet and gold.”
 
Harry looked at Severus in awe, and simply said “more, please.”
 
Severus looked at him, stood and took Harry’s hand, “we can talk through
breakfast.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
Arriving at the dining-room, Severus opened the door and let Harry walk in
first. It was still early and Severus knew that Lucius wouldn’t be down for
another hour, at least. Pulling Harry’s chair out, so the boy could sit in it
on his own, he waited until he was seated, and pushed the chair in. With a
flick of his wrist the chair rose, so Harry could reach and eat on his own.
Plating the young boys breakfast, Severus chose some light foods, fruit and
yoghurt, that wouldn’t affect Harry’s stomach.
 
Sitting down across from Harry, so the boy could see him, he plated his own
breakfast, coffee, more coffee and a piece of buttered toast.
 
“I have already told you a little about magic. Each witch, wizard or other
magical creature or being, has a magic core. This core holds all of our magic,
again as the wand, no core is the same; there are different sizes, colours,
shapes. There is not one exactly like another, unless you have a magical pair
of twins. There are rare cases where a pair of twins have the same cores. If
the core is the same, it means that the twins are two bodies with one soul.
With me so far?”
 
Harry was listening and paying more attention to his Papa, than his food, so
when Severus nodded towards the bowl, Harry started to eat, slowly, so he
didn’t spill. Nodding to Severus’ question, Harry sat awaiting more. He would
wait with his questions till after.
 
“Good, if you have any questions, let us take them after?” Severus gave a
questioning look and Harry just nodded again, still eating his yoghurt.
 
“Because of our different cores, we have different wands, and also different
affinities. Mine is potions making and healing spells. Some witches and wizards
do not need their wands all the time.”, “Like you?”, “Yes, Harry, like me. When
we are born our core grows fast, that is why we are prone to accidental magic
when we are toddlers, like you probably have noticed, if you ever got upset or
angry, or maybe even really happy, somethings would happen, your relatives
probably called it something horrible.”, “Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon used to
call them freaky things, they used to say that only freaks could do freaky
things.”
 
In the spilt of a second Severus was around the table and had Harry’s chair
turned towards him, “You are not a freak Harry, no matter what those things
said. Because if you are a freak, then so am I, and Lucius, Draco, Narcissa and
Tom.”, “No you aren’t freaks.”, “Then neither are you, Harry, always remember
that!”
 
Giving Harry a kiss on the forehead, Severus turned the chair back around and
went back to his seat, drinking some of his coffee, he raised his hand and made
small motions, and not far after a pitcher of pumpkin juice was pouring Harry a
glass. Harry, though with glassy eyes looked fascinated. When the pitcher was
done, Harry reached forward with his hands and grabbed the glass with the
juice, tasting it brought a smile to Harry’s face.
 
“Our magic continues to grow, more and more every day. When we turn eleven we
get a small boost in magic, that is a little larger than the others. Thus
making us having to go to school to learn how to use the magic. Some do get
home schooling, but it is very rare. Most parents wish for their children to be
taught by competent teachers and give them a circle of friends that come with a
boarding school, hopefully.”
 
Giving a small smile and getting one in return, Severus continued with his
‘story’ telling, both him and Harry unaware of their on-looking guests.  
 
“We gain another boost when we turn fifteen and a final one when we reach
seventeen. When we turn fifteen, most will only gain a little more magic and
few will gain a creature heritage, the creature blood has to be in our blood,
you see.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
“Like you, Papa?” Severus’ eyes widened, how could Harry possibly know? Seeing
his Papa’s shocked expression, Harry quietly said “your eyes, they are
different”.
 
“What is different about my eyes Harry?” Severus was still in shock, but
managed to ask Harry calmly. “You can see red and grey, almost floating around
in them. They are different to normal eyes.” Severus knew that his glamours
were still intact, so there was only one possible explanation.
 
“Harry, what do I look like to you, be specific?” Harry looked confused at the
question, but with an encouraging nod from Severus, he answered “Almost black
eyes with red and grey. Pale healthy skin. Long black hair, curly at the end.
Slightly crooked nose.” Harry tilted his head a little to the right, “That’s
it.”
 
Severus was in awe, Harry, his little Harry, could see through glamours.
 
“Harry, what you see me as, is not what others see. What I am wearing is called
a glamour. It is something we magicals use to disguise or change ourselves
with. You being able to see through them is very, very rare. It is a gift many
will envy you. So it is something you will have to keep to yourself, can you do
that? Only those whom you trust, can you tell.” Severus had said it with a
serious tone, so Harry knew it was important, so he nodded that he understood.
 
“But, yes Harry, like me. I am a vampire. Not like those from the stories
muggles tell. I can eat normal food, as you can see. I drink blood, but only
from my mate and I can live without it for a longer period if my mate is unwell
or unavailable. I am not afraid of garlic or allergic to silver. I can also
walk in the sun. My hearing is much better, as is my eyesight and sense of
smell. I am stronger as well as faster than any human could ever dream of.”
 
“Hearing you say that Severus, makes me question your abilities.” Turning his
head – faster than Harry thought anyone could – Severus was now glaring at
Lucius and Tom, who had apparently entered the room, while he and Harry had
been talking.
 
“I will ignore that comment Lucius, but do sit down and join us for breakfast.”
Harry could see a tinge of red on his Papa’s cheeks, but he didn’t think it was
visible for anyone else.
 
Harry didn’t mind his Papa being a vampire, it just made him cooler than the
other Papas’ around the world, so sharing a smirk with himself, Harry went back
to his breakfast. The yoghurt was gone, so he had his fruits left. Starting
with the ‘ship cut’ apples, Harry munched away.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
“Now, the final boost when we turn seventeen, which is when a magical reaches
their maturity. This also allows us to do magic outside of school, as we are
considered adults.”
 
As Severus had finished his sentence an owl flew in from the window and dropped
a letter of for Severus. As that happened, the Daily Prophet, popped into
existence in front of Lucius. Harry looked at the regal eagle owl in front of
him, he was quite sure his jaw was hanging, it was magnificent.
 
Severus motioned for Harry to pick up some bacon, from the plate next to him.
Holding out the bacon, Harry looked as the owl, easily and gently took the
bacon and devoured it with great pleasure. Having eaten the bacon, the owl
carefully nipped Harry’s fingers as a sign of gratefulness. Harry could only
smile at the owl, and gently moved his hand to the feathers on top of the owl’s
head, nuzzling.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
Letting Harry pet, the owl, Severus studied the letter he had received. It was
a reply from Amelia Bones, assuring him that she would look into the events of
Sirius Black’s trial, but that she would need proof from Severus that Sirius
was not the killer he had been made out to be. Knowing just what proof to send
Amelia, Severus let a small smile grace his features.
 
Summoning a vial, Severus thought back to one of the memories the old fool had
messed with;
It was a memory showing him and Sirius together on Halloween night, the
newspaper on the coffee table showing the date; 31st of October 1981. The clock
on the wall letting him know that it was just after dinner. He and Sirius were
talking about visiting Lily and James the day after, but for now they only
wanted to cuddle, to be together. They had fallen asleep, and Severus only woke
up after Sirius had wiggled himself out of their embrace to answer the door.
 
He hadn’t thought of it until he felt a cold breeze, getting up to find the
leak, Severus found the front door open, and no sign of Sirius or his
motorbike. Feeling close to a panic attack, Severus hurried inside and looked
at the clock on the wall, almost one in the morning. Grabbing his wand, Severus
turned on the spot, he arrived just down the lane in Godric’s Hollow.
 
Hurrying towards the house, Severus saw something he would have never thought
possible, through the window in Harry’s room facing the lane towards him, he
could see the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, leader of the light, casting the
killing curse on Lily Potter and another unfamiliar curse on baby Harry.
Severus looked around not knowing what to do. He suddenly heard a distinctive
‘pop’, someone had apparated in, looking around for the origin of the sound
Severus saw Hagrid making his way towards the house.
 
Not long after Hagrid had entered, he returned outside the now burning house,
with little Harry in his arms. Looking shocked and staring frozen at the scene
in front of him, Severus never noticed someone appearing behind him. The last
thing he remembered was seeing and hearing Sirius’ motorbike in the distance,
thinking this night might have been their last.
 
Placing the memory in the vial, Severus summoned a quill and parchment, writing
a quick note, he again called on of the elves to take the letter with the vile
to Amelia, not knowing who might be intercepting their post.
 
Looking at the owl, that was still getting caressed by Harry and loving it, he
could only shack his head, “Your owner has already received the mail you are
waiting for. You are free to fly whenever.” Letting that be said Severus
returned to his third cup of coffee for the day.
 
Lucius and Tom looked slightly curious as to what was happening, but with a
motion he promised to take it up later, without Harry present.
 
“Well then Harry, what do you want to do today?”, “Maybe read? Draco showed me
the library yesterday and I would like to know more about the magical world.”
Harry looked a little shy as well as hoping, Severus could only smile and nod.
“I will take you there when I am done with my coffee.”  
 
 
***** Reunion *****
Chapter Notes
     A/N: Disclaimer, see the other chapters.
     Hello all,
     First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the long, very long
     wait for an update.
     I can make as many excuses as I want to, but that doesn’t make up for
     it.
     I’m so very sorry, therefore todays chapter is a little longer, as I
     owed you that.
     There will be a little slash, like a blink and it is gone kind.
     I hope you enjoy,
     Reviews and suggestions are welcome, as always :)
     As Christmas is around the corner a quick shout of Merry Christmas to
     those who celebrate, and a Happy new year to all :)
     -fflover
                                  Chapter 6.
 
Harry walked into the study, he had asked one of the house-elves where his Papa
was. Seeing his Papa in one of the armchairs by the fire, Harry walked over and
placed himself in Severus’ lap. “How can I help you, Harry?”
 
Sitting in his Papa’s lap, Harry showed him the book he was holding, ‘Creatures
of the Magical World; Light, Dark and Natural, all the information you need.’
Opening the book to the page he had been at, Harry pointed to a word, “What
does this word mean?” “Neko, Harry means cat. They are creatures with cat-like
features, like fluffy ears and a tail, enhanced hearing, smell and sight.”
 
Severus had a feeling Harry had been trying to read this book since he left
after breakfast, and Harry had already come quite far. Despite not that good at
reading, Harry was getting the most out of the book, mostly from the pictures
belonging to every creature. Harry had asked a few questions at lunch, and
Severus had told him that he could ask any question he had.
 
Harry nodded and then turned the pages backwards, Severus sent him a
questioning glance, but Harry continued until he reached the Creatures starting
with ‘E’. Stopping at the word ‘Elementals’, Harry turned to face his Papa,
“What are these?”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus took a breath and the started to explain, “Elementals are like elves,
not the house-elves, these elves are as tall as any human and equally as
beautiful as a veela. An Elemental has the ability to control an element, such
as, water, earth, air and fire. There are more out there, the book explains
only a few. The Elementals only have one ability, and very rarely two. The
thing that controls their element more than their magic is their emotions. So
an angry fire Elemental, could set things on fire, if not burn buildings down
without meaning too.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
While they were sitting in front of the fire, Severus called for Tinker, one of
Lucius’ many elves. “Tinker, some refreshments for afternoon tea, please.”
 
While waiting for Tinker to bring the tea, Severus turned his attention back to
Harry, the boy was still going through the book, it made Severus think whether
Harry had marked the pages he wanted to ask questions about or if he could
remember the pages himself.
 
Looking at the book, Severus could see that Harry was back to the letter ‘N’,
and turning to a page about the ‘Naga’, “What about this one Papa?”
 
“A Naga, is a half human, half snake. A hybrid if you will. They most often
have a tail instead of legs while fully transformed, as well as enhanced
senses, like the Neko. The Naga while transformed will also show scales, the
colour of the scales depend on the position and magical strength of the Naga.
While they are in their ‘human’ form a Naga will still have scales visible.
They could be anywhere on the Naga’s body, but the most telling sign would be a
Naga’s eyes, they are closer to a slit pupil than a regular circle.”
 
Finishing his explanation Severus noticed the refreshments he had asked for.
Summoning a cup of tea for Harry as well as a few biscuits, Tinker had added,
Severus sat back in the armchair and summoned his own cup of coffee.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
For Harry, the time went by quickly, and soon it was dinner time. As Harry
closed his book, he thought about the information he had gotten from his Papa.
Information he valued, because somehow Harry knew it was important. Going to
the library after breakfast, Harry had hoped he could find a book he could
read. But entering the library he had gone straight for the book about
creatures. During the late morning and until lunch, Harry had been sitting in
the library trying to get the most out of the book, but the only thing he
really understood was the pictures that went along with every creature.
 
At lunch he had asked his Papa a few questions, but they weren’t enough so he
went to the library to get the book and brought it to his Papa.
 
Harry placed his empty teacup on the tray and waited for his Papa to get up
from the chair, so they could walk to the dining-room together.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
“Papa? Can I bring the book to my room?”
 
Severus looked down and noticed that Harry was still caring the book in his
arms, looking torn about what to do with it. “Of course you can Harry. Tinker,
would you please place this book in Harry’s room? Thank you.” After Tinker had
left with the book, Severus took Harry’s hand, “Come now, let us go eat.”
 
Waling out of the study together, they saw Tom heading their way, “Tom, are you
not going to join us for dinner?”, “I wouldn’t miss is, Severus my friend, I
was merely coming to find you. As well as coming to let you know that your
letter from breakfast has been answered.”
 
Severus looked at Tom with something akin to glee in his eyes. With a almost
invisible spring in his step, Severus lifted Harry up in his arms and walked
towards the dinning-room a little faster than normal.
 
Behind them, Harry could see Tom looking like his was trying to smother a
smile.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Arriving in the dinning-room, Severus let Harry down so he could walk to his
chair. Laying so innocently on his plate was a beige envelope, written in
elegant script he recognized as Amelia’s. Pulling out his chair Severus sat
down, took the letter and with careful fingers pried it open.
 
‘Dear Mr. Snape,
 
As per your request I have looked into the trial and incarceration of Mr.
Sirius Orion Black.
What I have found and what you showed me, disturbs me in ways I cannot explain.
Mr. Black was incarcerated without having a trial. Having visited him shortly
after seeing you memory, it appears Mr. Black was blamed for a crime he did not
commit.
As of returning from Azkaban, I visited Minister Fudge, whom suggested to sweep
the incident under the rug so to speak, it appears your fears of a corrupt
Ministry was correct.
 
With the powers I hold within the Ministry, I have called for a retrial for
all, whose trail was not based on veritaserum or had the evidence that was
needed to incarcerate.
 
On that note I have called for an investigation into our very own Minister and
his closest. As well, based on your memory called for a trial against Albus
Dumbledore.
 
The trial for Mr. Sirius Orion Black, shall be held in six days. As of today he
is released into your care, where he can recuperate and get ready for said
trial. He will arrive at the Ministry at 9 pm this evening, where you can pick
him up from my office.
We will send you more information about the trial in four days time.
 
The day after tomorrow, we – the wizengamot – expect the both of you to witness
the trial of Albus Dumbledore, as well as submit your or others memories
against said man to prove him guilt of murder and perhaps even more crimes.
 
The trial shall take place in courtroom 5, at midday.
 
Sincerely,
Amelia Bones
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.’
 
 
Grinning like a loon, Severus looked to the clock, 7 pm. This would give him
time to eat and tell Harry about Sirius. Looking around the table Severus saw
the adults giving him curious glances, but the only one talking was Tom, “Well
Severus, I presume you have received good news?”, “I have Tom, I have indeed.
Madam Bones has reviewed my memories and come to the conclusion that Sirius was
wrongfully incarcerated, he will be having a trial in six days, but in the
meantime he has been released into my care, to recuperate. Another bonus, so to
speak, is the investigation into our current Minister and the impending trial
of one Albus Dumbledore.”  
 
Looking around again, Severus saw smiles grace the faces of the elder Malfoy’s,
and the curious eyes of the two young ones in their company. Looking at Harry,
Severus said “For now let us eat, then afterwards I will tell you a story,
alright my little one?” Harry nodded, content with the knowledge that he would
get to know what was happening.  
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Walking towards the study they had been in before dinner, Harry was anxious. He
knew the news his Papa had received was good, but did that mean the news were
also good for Harry? He wasn’t sure and he didn’t know what he would if this
Sirius person didn’t like him around his Papa. Harry closed his eyes and prayed
that he could stay with his Papa no matter what happened.
 
Arriving at the study, Severus led Harry to the armchair they had been in
earlier, his Papa sat down first the pulled Harry into his lap.
 
“Alright Harry, do you remember when we talked about creatures?” waiting for
Harry to nod, Severus continued, “As creatures we have a predestined mate.
Someone who is perfect for us, someone who will understand. Some and most, only
have one mate, where few have two. Our mate helps us control our magic, helps
us balance it. Now you heard the name Sirius at dinner. Sirius is my mate and
because of an evil man, the same man who placed you with your aunt, he was put
in prison for a crime he did not commit. The letter at dinner let me know that
he is very close to being freed. They are letting him go and I will pick him up
tonight, then in two days the evil man will be asked to explain his actions
towards you, Sirius and many others he has hurt.”
 
Looking down to see if his, well… son, his little one, was still following, he
was meet with understanding emerald green eyes. Harry gave him a little nudge
so that he would continue.
 
“Well, I will be leaving in a few minutes to go pick him up, and when we
return, I would very much like for you to meet him. Is that alright?” Harry
simply nodded, he wanted to meet his Papa’s mate, knowing now what he did about
mates Harry wasn’t so worried about not being liked by his Papa’s mate.
 
“Why don’t you go play with Draco, or pick out a book that the both of you can
read together? And then we will be back before you know it?”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Nodding Harry slid out of Severus’ lap and walked towards the door, with the
older man just behind him. Letting Severus lead him to Draco’s room he knocked
on the door, then turned around and wrapped his arms around Severus’ thighs,
“Be careful?”, “Always Harry, always.”
That said Harry walked into Draco’s room with a smile on his face, headed to
the bookshelf.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Walking back to the study to use the floo, Severus was meet by Tom, Lucius and
Narcissa, “Bring him home, Severus.”, “I plan to Narcissa, I plan to.”    
 
Stepping into the floo and throwing in floo powder, Severus said “Ministry of
Magic, London.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Arriving in the atrium, Severus made his way for the elevators. Despite it
being late on a weekday, the atrium was full of people, and it was not
something Severus was in the mood for, so he put on his best scowl and glared
at anyone attempting to talk to him. Reaching the elevators, Severus made sure
he was the only one in his, not wanting more people around. Pressing the button
for the Department of magical law enforcement, Severus was soon on his way.
 
If there was one thing Severus hated more than the dunderheads he taught at
Hogwarts, it was the Ministry elevators. Up, down, one side to the other, not
showing his displeasure of the elevators, he simply deepened his scowl and his
glare. Walking up to the woman at the helpdesk, Severus said “I have an
appointment with Madam Bones.”, the young woman looked up, “right this way
sir.”
 
Letting the young witch show him the way, Severus on the outside looked as
disinterested as one could be, but on the inside he was like a small child in a
candy store. Stopping in front of a pair of double doors, Severus was suddenly
nervous. The young witch nodded and took her leave.
 
Taking a deep breath, Severus slowly exhaled, lifted his hand and knocked three
times. The doors opened and Severus walked in to see Madam Bones sitting behind
her desk. The woman looked up when the doors closed behind him, despite the
tires look in her eyes she gave a polite smile, “Mr. Snape, it is good to see
you.”
 
“Likewise Madam Bones, but let us skip the pleasantries shall we?” Amelia
simply nodded. Standing up she walked to a door, almost hidden in the corner of
her office, “Right this way.”
 
Beyond the door Severus found himself in a room almost like a living room,
looking at Amelia with curious eyes, the woman simply rolled her own.
“Sometimes even I, need to relax. Now…” Moving towards an arch to another part
of the room Amelia stopped and stepped aside, letting Severus see him, for the
first time in 5 years, “Sirius”.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Sitting in the cosy living room of Amelia Bones’ office, Sirius let himself
enjoy the warmth of the fireplace. Having picked up a book earlier, Sirius
slowly made his way through it. He knew that Severus would be picking him up
later, and he couldn’t wait to see the man, ignoring the book, Sirius lost
himself in old and happy memories.
 
As far away as Sirius was, he didn’t hear the door opening in the other room or
the obvious female voice, but the one thing he did hear was the deep rough
voice filled with relief and surprise, “Sirius”.
 
Sirius’ eyes flew open when he heard his name, looking towards the voice he was
faced with his mate coming at him, picking him up in his arms and hugging the
life out of him. Despite a delayed reaction, Sirius quickly wrapped both arms
and legs around Severus, hugging him with as much ferocity as Severus was
hugging him.
 
Sirius could feel Severus nipping at his throat and neck, and it only made him
moan, this was more touching than he had had in 5 years, and he was loving it.
When he felt Severus moving away, he whined in disappointment, only to hear
Severus’ deep throaty chuckle. Opening his eyes he looked directly into those
of his mate, the eyes as black as night and as deep as the abyss, there was
less than an inch between the two, and Sirius longed to tell the man how much
he had missed him.
 
Opening his mouth Sirius only managed a broken groan, as Severus’ lips were on
his own. Not being able to tell him how much he had missed him, Sirius let all
his emotions fade in to the kiss. The longing, the hope, the love and Severus
felt it all. The kiss was hot, full of passion, love, desire and neither man
wanted it to end, their tongues battling for dominance, hands searching and
confirming the presence of the other.
 
Sirius was quite sure he was moaning for all he was worth, the hands roaming
his body, the body pressed against his own, he loved it all.
 
When the two finally separated, it was nothing more than an inch or two and it
was because of a small cough coming from Madam Bones. “As touching as it is to
see lovers reunite, I must get back to work, I have a lot to do in 2 days
gentlemen. You may use the floo to return to your abode. ” With that said she
turned around and walked back to her office.
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Severus regained his senses when Madam Bones coughed for their attention,
watching the woman leave the way they came from, Severus turned his attention
back to the man in his lap. “It has been awhile my love, has it not? I wish to
explain everything but first let us return, shall we?” Standing, Severus felt
Sirius let his legs fall down, keeping his arms around his slightly smaller
mate, Severus nuzzled into Sirius’ neck, breathing in the smell of his mate.
 
“Severus will you let me see you?” Straightening up and looking into Sirius’
eyes, Severus let the glamours fall. Only having to bend down a little, Severus
kissed Sirius again, “I have missed you so much my Siri, let us go home, there
is someone I want you to meet.”
 
Taking Sirius hand, Severus led them to the floo, grabbed some floo powder and
called out, “Malfoy Manor, study”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Arriving at the study, Severus and Sirius simply stood there holding each
other, letting the others smells wash over them. Pulling apart Severus led them
to a settee to settle down. Still holding Sirius close, Severus called for
Tinker to inform the rest of the house of their arrival.
 
“Siri, how much do you remember, my love?”, Sirius looked at him with sad eyes
and simply said “Everything. From waking up to the knocking on our door,
opening it to the headmaster only to have him imperio me, flying to Godric’s
Hollow, finding the house burned down, lending my bike to Hagrid so he could
take small Harry on the headmaster’s orders, following Peter around only for
him to blow himself and twelve muggles up, the auror’s arriving and throwing me
in Azkaban without a trial. I remember everything.”
 
Looking at Severus with tears in his eyes, Sirius said, “I was about to give up
my love, they kept denying me a trial and Dumbledore refused to even give me
the benefit of the doubt.”
 
Wiping away the fallen tears Severus gave Sirius small loving kisses. “It is
over now Siri, all over, you are home and in my arms and I will never let the
old fool take you from me again. Now I wish to introduce you to someone.”
Letting Sirius turn around, Severus gestured to the first of three blondes,
“You remember you cousin Narcissa, her husband Lucius and their son Draco. Next
to them is Tom…”
 
Severus could feel Sirius tense in his arms and rushed to reassure him, “The
Tom the old fool introduced is one of his own creation; Lord Voldemort, the
snake like man, created to make every cower in fear and look to him for help.
This is the real Tom Riddle, a man not ashamed of his muggle name, a man
interested in solving problems through politics. And last but not least…”  
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Hearing Severus explain, Sirius calmed down, looking back at his cousin and her
family, he could see her eyes smiling, a sign that she was happy, looking on to
her little boy, he didn’t seem as spoiled as Sirius was afraid he might have
been. The boy simply looked curious. Lucius looked as royal as always, but a
small glint in his eyes told Sirius that the man was also happy.
 
Looking towards Tom Riddle, Sirius wasn’t sure what to think, something in him
told him to hide, but he felt safe in Severus’ arms and didn’t want to leave.
At least the man didn’t look like he was out to kill them. So he was going to
stay where he was. Turning his attention towards Severus again he heard him
say, “and last but not least.”
 
Following Severus’ eyes towards Tom, well past Tom that was, Sirius didn’t know
what to think, there stood one of the reasons he hadn’t give up, “Harry
Potter.”
 
                                 X.o.o.O.o.o.X
 
Harry wasn’t sure what to think about the man in his Papa’s lap, but when he
looked into the mans grey-blue eyes, Harry instantly recognized him, rushing
around Mr. Tom, Harry ran as fast as his legs could carry him, with a happy
squeal of “Paddy, Papa found Paddy.” Surprising both men as he jumped up on the
settee, laughing and hugging both men. A mantra of ‘Papa found Paddy’ and ‘I’m
so happy, I missed living Paddy.’
 
Severus and Sirius’ arms were quick to catch the small boy and a smile slowly
made its way unto lips, sitting there all three together, Sirius swallowed up
the warmth radiation from them Severus and Harry, when he focused on what Harry
had said, “Wait, Papa?”   
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!