Srry for the reeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyy long wait guys...I still don't have the internet but I got my laptop fixed and thought I would submit another chapter to this story. I have to admit that it was hard to continue because I had let it go so long so if this chapter kinda sounds choppy...and well...stupid...don't worry the nxt chapter will be wwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyy better. Please READ and REVIEW!
Chapter 3
When Serenity finally fell back asleep, gently Severus placed her back onto the hospital bed. Oh, revenge would definitely be sweet when he got his hands on that no good Dursley. He could not wait to meet them in a dark alley where there were absolutely no witnesses.
"Now Severus, must you be so violent?"
Severus looked up to find Dumbledore's twinkling gaze upon him.
"That no good sod had the nerve to hurt my children…pardon me for wanting to distribute a little justice his way."
Dumbledore turned to Serenity and sighed.
"Sadly, Severus it is not your place to deliver their just desserts, it is the ministry's and muggle authorities."
Severus rolled his eyes, he did not care whose job it was, it would be him who knocked that fat muggle on his arse.
"We have to discuss Vernon Dursley's hearing Severus, there are some variables needed to make this work."
Once more Severus rolled his eyes.
"What variables."
"The ones where Serenity and Harry have to testify at an open hearing."
"OVER MY BLOODY DEAD BODY?!" he shouted.
"Severus, hush." Dumbledore said pointing to Serenity who had stirred slightly.
"I promised her that she would never have to see that bastard again…I promised Albus."
The Headmaster sighed, the twinkle almost gone in his eyes. He placed a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder.
"If you want your children you are going to have to do this Severus, there is no negotiating on this one."
Severus sighed and then nodded.
"Fine…fine they will testify."
"I know this is hard Severus, but it is necessary."
Albus noticed his most prized employee bow his head and whisper, "what if she never trusts me Albus?"
"She is Lily's daughter Severus, she will learn."
"But…I feel like such a failure knowing that she doesn't."
Dumbledore looked at Severus. This was the most upset he had ever seen him, he had to say that this was about up there with when dear Lily Evans had been murdered.
"Where is my son?" Severus asked suddenly.
"Ah, I believe young Harry is at the Quidditch Pitch."
Severus smiled, that was a given. Lily had adored Quidditch and secretly Severus enjoyed the game as well. It was just so bloody dangerous.
"Would you mind watching Serenity for me?" he asked looking up.
"No, of course not Severus." He said sitting in the chair next to her bed and picking up a magazine that was on her nightstand.
Dumbledore had been right, Harry had been at the Quidditch Pitch, he was standing in the middle of the playing field look up at all of the clouds. Severus walked up next to him and looked up as well.
Harry sighed sadly and then looked down.
"I saw her today," he whispered, "Serenity…it's all my fault she is like that."
Severus looked at his son.
"Harry-"
"She's my sister…I should have been able to protect her from that arse! I'm such a coward for letting him hurt her!"
"No Harry," Severus said sternly, "you are not a coward…you are a child…a helpless child."
"NO! IT SHOULD BE ME SICK IN THAT HOSPITAL BED…I SHOULD BE THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE SICK!"
Harry's face became red with anger and the tears fell down his cheeks like waterfalls.
"Harry. No-"
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG…WHY DID YOU LEAVE US THERE?!"
Severus sighed.
"Harry…I didn't know."
But that wasn't good enough; he had been stuck with the Dursley's for eleven long and terrible years.
"I WANT TO KNOW WHY?! WHY US…WHY MY SISTER!?"
Severus took Harry into his arms who put up a terrible fight, it was like Severus was trying to murder him, but eventually his son's body stopped moving and shook with sobs.
"It's….it's not fair…not fair!" he sobbed.
"Shh…I know it isn't son…I know…but I am going to make this better, I promise. You and your sister will never have to go back to that. Never ever! You will always be mine, now and forever."
Harry sobbed harder at his father's kind words and warm embrace. Life truly wasn't fair; it was not fair that he had had to wait for this kind of love and warmth. He hated the Dursley's and what they had done to him, but he could not hate his father for not finding him sooner. This man had saved him and his sister and was apparently ready to be there for them now.
As his sobs became less and less profound, Severus found that it would be better for them to go back to the castle. He came back inside and was pleased to hear nothing but silence, he didn't know what he was expecting…maybe a bunch of reporters or attorney's but it was no skin off his bones if they chose to stay away and leave him the bloody hell alone.
"Can…can I sit with my sister?" Harry sniffled.
With his green eyes and innocent disposition Severus did not have the heart to say no. Actually it was ironic, because before Harry and Serenity he really had no heart at all.
They went back into the Hospital Wing to find that Serenity was sleeping soundly, when Harry saw her his heart felt close to shattering. His sister was laying there sick and hurt while he was able to walk around. It made him so mad that he could not do anything to help her.
"Harry," Severus said gently, "it's alright son, she is just sleeping."
Harry nodded and sat down next to her. With a smile he gently kissed her forehead, he loved her so much. All he wanted was what was best for her and for them both to be happy and live a good life. Finally it was happening and he would be damned if anyone tried to take it from him.
"You love her don't you Harry?" Severus asked with a proud smile.
"She's all I ever had…she's the only one who ever really loved me…besides you anyway."
Severus placed a warm hand on Harry's shoulder and sighed. He felt so horrible about how impacted Harry was by Serenity's health.
"Harry, have you met our groundskeeper Hagrid yet?" Severus asked suddenly.
Harry's green eyes met Severus' onyx ones and he shook his head.
"Hm…well I think it would do you good to meet him, he is a very delightful person."
Harry knew that Severus was just trying to distract him from his sister, maybe it would work…but it was most likely to fail. He really didn't want to leave his sister at the moment.
"Umm…maybe later sir…I really just want to stay with Serenity right now."
Severus sighed and nodded; he released Harry's shoulder.
"I will be back in a minute," he said smiling slightly, "there is something I need to discuss with Albus."
Harry nodded.
When Severus was gone he pulled out a random book and began reading allowed, he wasn't sure what a lot of the words meant…he had no idea what Wolfsbane was but he knew that Serenity probably did and that she could hear him deep in her subconscious. Harry wasn't sure how long he had been reading but he knew that he was starting to get tired of it; but because he loved his sister he would endure. It was no secret that he would do anything and everything for her.
"The effects of…of…-"
Harry couldn't take it anymore, with a small thud the potions book landed on the floor and Harry fell asleep. Severus hadn't meant to be gone that long, he only wanted to ask Dumbledore a couple questions about the upcoming term and when he would be taking Serenity and Harry into Diagon Alley. But other things came up involving the Dursleys and the upcoming court case.
He did not want his children to go through this…he didn't want them to have to ever see that horrid family again. He wanted Serenity's trust and he wanted his son to know that absolutely none of this was his fault. Damn it, he wanted to be a good father and already he was screwing it up.
Rubbing his temples, he walked back into the hospital wing. Smiling slightly he went to where Harry sat, slumped over in sleep. He didn't want to wake him; it would probably just be smarter to move him to one of the hospital bed. Carefully he lifted Harry from the chair and settled him into the bed.
Stepping back he admired the children before him. To him they were such perfect blends of their parents. Serenity had her mother's red hair and small physique. Harry had his dark hair and Lily's magnificent green eyes. Beautiful children and if you could not tell whom they belonged to then you were a blind fool to Severus.
Yawning he sat in one of the neighboring chairs, surely he could watch them sleep for a little while. Severus felt such peace while watching Serenity and Harry dream. He supposed that every parent felt this way, it was the one time when they both looked as content as they could be. Dreaming of Merlin only knew what and imagining the impossible.
As every child should, Severus guessed that this was the only time when they received a moment of relief. A moment when they did not feel like their life was being choked off…a moment where they were not being harmed or beaten.
Sudden tears filled Severus' eyes and he clenched his fists, feeling angry and hurt. This feeling that his kin felt were all because he had been too foolish to check on them before, this feeling was because he could not see past Potter's appearance and check on them.
He was a fool, always had been and probably always will be. He hated himself…he hated-
"Daddy?"
Severus' head shot up to a soft voice. He looked; cheeks wet from crying, and saw Serenity eyeing his expression. She must have been watching him for a while because her face looked stricken with worry.
"Serenity," he breathed, swiping at his face, "dear, how long have you been awake."
"You are not a fool daddy," she choked, "you are NOT a fool."
Those words wrapped around Severus' heart and squeezed it…he couldn't speak…he was far to afraid that if he did he would break into a fit of tears. A child, his child was telling him that he was not a fool. That it was not his fault.
"Darling…I am…I am a fool…I am the biggest fool that ever entered this face of the earth-"
"Why?" she spat. "For not coming to our rescue…how can you rescue you someone you don't even know?"
Severus looked at her gently at first but then something crossed his mind.
"How did you know I called myself a fool Serenity?"
Her face turned bright red and she bowed her head in shame. Accident or not Severus had discussed this, how long had she been reading his mind for? Had she been awake the whole time and Severus had just been too ignorant to notice?
"Did you do it on purpose?" he asked.
Nodding slowly Serenity pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them.
"Why…and do not lie to me Serenity…"
A few tears ran down Serenity's face and with a quivering voice she said, "I wanted to hear your voice…it keeps the nightmares away…"
Severus sighed, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was okay. But whenever he did so she went into a sort of panic. He did not want Serenity to fear him, but he could not comfort and show affection a father usually did with his little girl.
"I'm sorry…" she breathed. "I won't do it anymore…please don't punish me…"
"Serenity," he cooed, "I will not punish you this time…however this is the last warning I will give you…I love you but disobedience is something I do not tolerate…understand me?"
Nodding vigorously, Serenity rose from the bed and wrapped her small arms around his neck. Grinning slightly he pressed his hand to her hair. His little girl, this was his little girl…and no one could have her because she belonged to him. Severus would protect and love her forever, he would never let anyone hurt her and anyone who dared to would never live to speak of it again.
