Severus was relieved; the child lay asleep snuggled on the couch, holding to a teddy bear Remus had made him from a cushion. Until he had fallen asleep, he had refused to leave Severus' side, like a lost little puppy dog of some sort. He wondered what James would have said, to see his son, but if he was here, this would not be an issue. He was still not certain how he was convinced of this, the little monkey latched on to the closest comfort, which had happened to be him.
As he made sure the elves packed all, he knew he should feel some sorrow in leaving, but didn't. He had been a professor as a cover for his spy days, and now free, had planned to retire that summer. He had planned to retreat home, and brew potions for the hospital, but assumed he could do it from a Black home just as well.
Draco appeared in the door. "Is it true Uncle Sev? You are going to raise Potter?"
Severus motioned to the sleeping boy, to quieten him down. "Remus will be, it has been decided to allow him a childhood. You knew I planned to retire."
Though he would miss his Uncle, Draco only had two years left, and then would work for his father as planned. He knew his Uncle had never been cut out here, other then head of his house, and would be happy to leave. His only surprise came from his Uncle agreeing to raise Potter.
Draco looked down at Harry. "He was abused you know? I heard Ron mention his nightmares once. He has scars, I have seen them."
Severus sighed. "I know Draco, and sadly he still does, the abuse seems to have begun early. It is one of the reasons I agreed to live with Lupin, to let this happen."
He quietly explained, as he and Draco went into his room, Harry would have been forced back to his proper age, and sent back to his relatives Remus was not deemed enough protection, and there were full moons to be concerned after, and by Severus agreeing to come, it removed the concern.
Severus sighed."We will be going to the home in Cornwall, our summer plans will not be ruined. I am sorry if you are disappointed by our company."
Draco shrugged."No I assume since he is not a baby you can't be expecting me to change diapers. It won't be too bad."
Chuckling a bit, it was much the same thing he had said when he had agreed to this arrangement, he knew Draco was fine with it. Just like when he had showed concern, without trying to let on that he was, in the classroom, Draco did care. Draco had learned all too well from his parents to wear a mask, when they had been spies and even his Aunt and Uncle would have killed him. He hoped now the war was over, and there was no need, Draco would learn to let down the mask.
Draco sunk down onto the bed."So what is the plan?"
Severus looked towards the door. "We go to London tomorrow. You need to see your dad, and we will need some things for a four year old."
Harry was in his shrunken clothes for now, but such spells wore away at clothes, besides he needed some real things. They would have his trunk but the things would be kept till Harry was older, his hand me down clothes would be thrown out. Hedwig would be brought as well, though they had no idea how Harry would react to his owl, since he lost all memory of his life after the age his body was at.
They were snapped from their thoughts by a tiny scared voice. "Uncle Sev?"
Severus turned to see Harry in the doorway. For a moment he was going to correct the boy but stopped. "I assume you're hungry."
Draco saw he little boy was close to tears, and reminding his Uncle with a look, even if Potter this was a four year old, he took him by the hand. Remus was to meet them in London on Diagon tomorrow, for he had things to see to himself, and Harry utterly refused to go with him.
Dobby appeared with a huge smile. "Master Harry, you be as small as Dobby. Master hungry?"
Harry looked worried for though he had met Severus' elf, he was pretty scared. Draco answered."Could you bring us some grilled cheese sandwiches and milk?"
The Malfoys had freed the elf on purpose, to keep an eye on Harry, and when Severus watched Dobby return, he was reminded of something.. Dobby had been nanny elf to Draco when he was little, so he had experience with little kids, and was utterly devoted to Harry.
Dobby broke down into tears when asked to leave the school and come with them. "Dobby be so honoured Dobby take such good care of Little Master Harry."
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Draco was with his mum at the hospital, so Severus alone took Harry, for he was to meet Remus. He got a lot of odd looks as he led Harry through the Cauldron, and even more when Harry was so spooked, he had to pick the boy up. He shot them all looks, knowing they were wondering if he would use Harry for a potion, and was reminded he needed to keep Harry calm. He met Remus at the steps of the bank and headed for clothes first.
Harry looked up timidly from Severus' shoulder when asked about a shirt. "I don't need new. Dudley's good enough for freak."
Severus was even exasperated by that. "You are not a freak, now we will be buying you new clothes. Do you have a favourite color?"
Harry was in tears. "Green." He mumbled "Sorry for making you mad Uncle Sev, I go to cupboard when we get home."
This child was even more infuriating then his teenage persona, he was so completely innocent, Severus could not come up with a reasonable excuse to dislike him. As they finished clothes shopping and went both to the book store and toy store, they got the same response. They got him a small assortment of books, and toys, his birthday was in a month, and hoped he would be convinced to play with something
Remus went to take Harry. "Uncle Sev is going to the apothecary. How about we go for a look at the pet store? I am sure he will meet us for some ice cream."
Severus was relieved when Harry went to him. "Indeed."
For the first time since the potion Remus saw a genuine smile, when they entered the pet store. He was reminded of how close Harry was to Hedwig, but the owl was not going to be much of a pet to a four year old, but he was nor sure Severus would like the idea. From the look on his face when he came in, and saw Harry snuggling with a small kitten, he had been right on that.
Severus sighed when Harry looked up with his big shimmering green eyes and a huge puppy dog pout. "I assume one little kitten could not create too much havoc."
Harry beamed when he was led to the counter so they could purchase the kitten. "Thank you Uncle Sev. I take care of her."
He was so distracted, even when he was paying for the animal, by Harry and Remus talking names, he did not really register the owner was warning him of something. He assumed it was that the cat may scratch things, cats tended to do so, for he was sure he had not had the luck, Harry chose a kneezle.
He followed them out of the shop. "Draco should be meeting us for ice cream, before we head to Cornwall, for the summer."
Draco was sure enough waiting, his mum still at the hospital. "Hey Harry, what do you have there?"
Harry showed the basket with his new kitten, and Draco soon took him to the counter to choose some ice cream. For a child who had never had a treat before, any ice cream would have been a shock, but there were over a hundred odd flavours to choose from.
Remus smiled as Severus eyed the basket. "How much trouble can one small kitten be? Besides, that was the first real smile we got from him all day."
