Love of a Guardian
Shot-One:
Nightmares
Harry and Sirius
Chrismas, 5th Year
Summery:
Harry's been having nightmares all his life, and because of this, he has some minor sleeping problems. He's learned to just deal with it. Sirius, on the other hand, seems to think he doesn't have too.
Harry gasped, bolting up in his bed. Sweat trickled down his face, sticking his hair to his forhead. He rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses, everything coming into focus as the spectacles were placed on his nose.
Harry sighed, before pushing back the covers and walking out of his room and into the dark hallway. It was much creepier at night. All the lights were off, casting him in an erier darkness, the shadows dancing in the little moonlight that shone past the edges of the thick curtains.
Harry made his way down the stairs and into the basement kitchen, planning on making a cup of coffee so he didn't end up going back to sleep. Harry put the coffee on the stove, where it began to heat, and he leaned back against the counter, looking at the floor.
"Harry?"
The teen nearly jumped out of his skin. He spun around, his hand going to his wand, but then remembered that he had left it in the bedroom. But he had no need of his wand. Sirius stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of baggy black and dark green pajama bottoms and a dark grey t-shirt.
"Oh, hey Sirius." Harry said, relaxing.
But Sirius didn't greet back. He was frowning at him and his grey eyes went from the heating coffee to Harry. "What are you doing up?" Sirius asked, entering the kitchen. Harry shrugged, not looking at him. He didn't want to tell Sirius about the nightmare. He didn't want his godfather to think he was weak.
Sirius was still frowning at him. The kettle popped. Harry moved to take it off the stove, but Sirius spoke, "You shouldn't be drinking that."
"Why not?" Harry said, turning to look at his godfather, hand hovering above the stove. "Because you should be sleeping." Sirius said, taking Harry's hovering hand in his own and rubbing circle's along the back with his thumb. Harry's hand looked so much smaller in Sirius's.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry shrugged, looking at his feet. Finally, he gave in, "I had a nightmare." Sirius looked slightly surprised at this, but then his features softened. "Well, staying awake isn't gonna help that." he hesitated, "Do you- do you want to tell me about it?"
Harry shrugged again, looking at his feet. His face was heatening. He wasn't some little kid who went running to an adult when he had a nightmare. One time, when he was three or four, he'd had a nightmare and had gone to his Aunt, who had then locked him in his cupboard and he hadn't been given breakfast the next morning.
"It's no big deal. I always get nightmares at least once a week." Harry said, shrugging it off, "I've learned to deal with it." For a moment, Sirius looked shocked. And then his brow wrinkled and his eyes shone with concern, "How long has this been happening?"
Harry thought back, "As long as I can remember... I'm guessing soon after my parents died." Sirius's brown wrinkled even more, the concern shining in his eyes growing. Harry shifted awkwardly. He turned to take the now slightly cold coffee off the stove, but Sirius was quicker. He took it, marched over to the sink and poured it in.
"Hey!" Harry said, stratled. Once the contents was all down the drain, Sirius put the kettle back, took Harry's hand again and sat down at the table, the teen sitting next to him.
"Harry," Sirius said, clutching Harry's hand in both of his, "Tell me about your nightmare. Please?" Harry sighed, his face heating. Sirius was going to think he was weak. But, his godfather didn't seem to think that at all. Instead, his face shinned with such concern Harry was shocked.
He sighed, "Alright... I've been revisiting the graveyard in my dreams ever since I got back to Privet Drive." Sirius's squeezed Harry's hand, "You didn't say anything about that in your letters." Harry shrugged again, "It doesn't really matter."
"Harry," Sirius let go with one hand and instead took hold of his chin, forcing Harry to look up at him. "Of course it matters. I would have wanted to know, so would Ron and Hermione."
He doubted it.
When Harry didn't respond, Sirius sighed, let go of his chin and was silent for a moment. And then, quiet suddenly, Harry was pulled out of his seat and found himself on his godfathers lap, his chin resting on Sirius's shoulder.
He felt his face reddening, but he didn't pull away. Sirius began gently rocking him back and forth, humming something that Harry recongised, but he just couldn't figure out why.
Harry didn't know how long he sat there, being gently rocked by his godfather. And then, quiet suddenly (again), Sirius stood up. Harry yelped, who had a moment ago been half-asleep, and clutched at Sirius's t-shirt. His godfather walked out of the kitchen, switching off the lights as he went, walked up the stairs, past Harry's bedroom and to a door that said Sirius.
Sirius closed the door behind him with his foot and pulled back the covers of the bed with one hand, the other still holding up Harry. He sat the boy down, before climbing in himself, pulling the covers over them both.
Sirius took Harry's glasses, who blinked at the sudden blurs, and sat then on the bedside table. He pulled Harry close to him, the side of the boys head pressed against his chest. Sirius ran his fingers through his messy locks.
Harry leaned into the touch. He could hear his godfathers heartbeat, thumping against the mans chest. Though there was no doubt that his face was as red as the Weasley's hair, Harry did not pull away. A warm feeling was spreading through his chest and he was clutching to it.
Sirius began singing softly, one that matched what he had been humming in the kitchen.
"The Summer sun fills the sky,
The Winter moon greets the night.
Danger may storm outside,
But your safe here in my arms,
Here your safe from harm.
Close those green eyes of yours,
Sleep and dream of flying stars,
Your safe here, in my arms.
I'll keep you from all harm.
Darkness may rage outside,
Coursing through the black of night,
But I'll keep you here with me,
Safe in my arms."
Harry's eyelids were dropping, though he was fighting it. He didn't want to sleep...
Sirius kissed the top of his messy hair, before whispering "Good night, pup."
For the first time in a long time, Harry slept peacefully.
Words: 1, 142 (without Author Notes!)
Should I continue with these one/two/three-shots? Please note that there will be some about Ron and Arthur, or maybe some Draco and Lucius, or James and his dad, or Hermione and one of her parents, and so on.
Ciao!