Disclaimer: I am a brunette, broke and not British.

Warning: Abusive!Dursley, AU/non-canon, Dumbledore!Bashing, Dursley!Bashing, Father!Snape, Kid!Fic

A/N: The third chapter! Wow, I hope we aren't moving too fast? Just joking. Special thanks to Araytigre who has been very generous by taking the time to let me know what he thinks of my story (readers, take a lesson from him and leave me comments). Please read on and enjoy…and comment!

Chapter 3

I dreaded the sound of his degrading voice.

'A word, Severus' had turned into Albus waylaying me the moment the ministry woman left. She had promised to have the guardianship papers in order by the end of the week. Of course, Albus just considered this as time for him to reverse my decision.

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Severus?" Albus asked, his voice dripping with hypocritical concern, "I do not recall you ever being very fond of children."

"Your faith in me is inspiring," I droned, clearing all thoughts and emotions. Albus was just as competent a Legilimens and Occlumens as I, and after years of manipulation I no longer doubted his willingness to exploit me.

Or anyone else for that matter, if he believed it to be necessary.

"Oh, my dear boy, you know I have the utmost respect for you. However, I do believe there are better options available for the boy," He reasoned, folding his hands in front of him. The picture of perfection, as always.

"Can you even say his name, Albus? It's Harry. 'The boy' – his name is Harry." His ability to justify his own actions was sickening. An innocent child had been practically tortured, ostensibly for years. And Albus did not seem to care a whit.

"I am only looking out for your best interests, and Harry's, of course. Now-" I cut him off before he could utter another word.

Another reason.

Another excuse.

"Harry will stay with me."

Albus stared me straight in the eye, whether he was testing my Occlumency skills or posing a challenge I did not care or know.

"My, how you have changed, Severus."

"My, how you have not," I threw back, spinning on my heel.

—SSHPSSHPSSHPSSHP—

"Have a nice chat with Albus?" Poppy asked knowingly, sitting behind her desk. I glanced behind her, Harry still fast asleep.

"He is fine for now, just resting." She smiled sympathetically, raising her head, "How bad was it?"

I did not answer her. Poppy meant well, but she was still in Albus' pocket.

"Will he be alright?" I changed the subject. At the moment I cared much more about Harry, than I did Albus.

"Physically, yes," she sighed, turning to glance at the boy, "His bones have mended well, and his head should be alright by morning. He will need another dose of Blood Replenisher when he wakes up. Besides that, he still has a few remaining cuts and bruises. Some Bitterroot Balm should take care of those, though."

"When will he be fit to travel?"

"Oh, Severus, parenthood is not something to jump into," She exasperated, apparently feeling the need to remind me of my 'incompetency' as well.

"I have not made this decision lightly, Poppy!" I seethed, "And for the record, I am not jumping into anything. If in any degree, I have been pushed."

"Have you seriously considered what it would mean to raise this child, Severus?" She demanded, standing toe to toe with me.

"I will not change my mind, Poppy." Straightening my shoulders I towered over her. I was a good head taller than her, and I did not appreciate her intimidation tactic.

Two can play at that game.

"Don't get shirty with me!" She scolded, hands flying to her hips, as if she was talking to an indignant student, "That is not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean? I should not raise Harry?" I hissed.

"Have you thought this through, Severus? Really thought all of this thorough? Forget Albus and me and Lily and everyone else you are thinking of. Think only of Harry!" Her voice was no longer angry but earnest.

She stopped me before I could say a word. Instead, she sat back down and guided me to sit, too.

"No, I want you to really consider everything. Could you handle the commitment of being a parent? Have you thought about raising this child, this child who is not biologically yours? Do you have the patience to go through a full-fledged, Ministry-officiated, possibly months-long adoption? And what if that child does not bond with you? Are you willing to go through all of that?" Poppy exclaimed, having worked herself up into frenzy.

"Poppy," I stopped her this time, "I will do right by Harry."

She stared at me and then glanced at the boy who was fitfully sleeping, as if sizing us up. Before she could utter another word, the Floo blazed to life yet again. Figg, the woman Harry had called for earlier in panic, appeared.

"Would it be alright if I saw him before I left?" she asked, her inappropriate slippers clacking dreadfully against the stone floor.

"He is right in there. He should be awake soon." Poppy pointed to the cot. The women nodded her thanks, before hobbling to the child's side. We stepped out of the office to finish our conversation.

"I believe you, Severus," the mediwitch said, once out of earshot of the other woman. I nodded my appreciation, such as it was.

"Here, you will need this." She grabbed my hand, and placed a folded piece of parchment in it.

"What is it?" I asked hesitantly, not certain I really wanted to know.

—SSHPSSHPSSHPSSHP—

Something smelled rotten. I tried opening my eyes, surprised when they did open. My head did not hurt either. My arm was not in that funny wrapping neither. I felt a little stiff, but nothing hurt anymore.

"Hello, Harry," somebody said. It was a lady's voice. It only took me a moment, before I smelled and knew.

She was back!

"Mrs. Figg!" She was sitting where that strange man had been before. "You're back!"

"Hello, dear," she said again, patting my hand. She was looking funny at me. Kind of like Aunt Petunia when she talked about her flower garden or when Dudley showed her his pictures, even though he never colored in the lines.

"You took me away, I 'member," I whispered, knowing I should not be too loud.

"Yes, Harry, that is what I wanted to talk to you about," she swallowed loudly, before pulling an old hanky from her sleeve, "You see, you are no longer going to live with your relatives." At her words, my stomach dropped. It suddenly felt like I was being squeezed like a tube of toothpaste.

I bet Uncle Vernon is mad 'cause Mrs. Figg took me away!

"B-but, I don't have n-n-nowhere else to live." I knew I was stuttering, but I could hardly help it. What if I had to live on the street? Uncle Vernon used to tell me how lucky I was somebody as nice as them took me in and kept me.

Who would want someone as useless and stupid as you in their home? No one that's who, should have thrown your duff out the day you came here! Just be glad your Aunt has a soft spot for family!

"No, No, Harry," she quickly began, holding my hands, "You have somewhere else to live. Severus Snape is going to look after you."

"B-b-but when am I going back?" I did not understand. I always lived with the Dursley's. Always. Why would someone else keep me?

"Harry, you are not going back. You are going to live with this Severus-"

"Excuse me." Another woman was suddenly knocking on the door and she came in, too. She sat down next to Mrs. Figg. "Hello Harry. My name is Madam Pomfrey. I helped you earlier."

"Hi," I whispered, knowing I was supposed to be polite.

"How are you feeling, love?" She smiled, trying to be nice. Too nice. Shrugging my shoulders, I looked back to Mrs. Figg. I wanted to talk to her, just her.

"I told Harry he will not be going back to his relatives, and from now on he will be living with Mr. Snape." Mrs. Figg talked to the lady, pretending I was not there. As if I could not hear them. The Madam Lady looked kind of upset at Mrs. Figg, but then she looked at me again.

"Yes, that is right," she did not look mad anymore, so I tried to listen, "He was in here earlier, I believe. His name is Severus. Do you remember him?" She was talking about that rude man who stared at me!

But then he was nice and I had a pillow.

"Do you know who I am talking about?" She asked me again. This time I nodded. I remembered him.

"He is going to be your new guardian. He is going to take care of you from now on."

"Then where is he?"

—HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS—

My cheeks must have been burning redder than a fresh patch of nasturtium in fall.

"I can not believe Poppy talked me into this," I muttered to myself, any shred of dignity I had left was gone. Completely out of place, I stood in the middle of the children section of Gladrags Wizardwear.

I feel like an imbecile.

"Can I help you, sir?" a young woman approached, an idiotic grin plastered on her face and wearing an even more ridiculous pink apron.

Apparently, I must look like one, too.

"No," I scowled, letting my humiliation fuel the rage in my tone, "I did not ask for your help, nor do I require it." She quickly skulked away, as she should have. My anger lessened only a fraction as I remembered why I was here.

I've taken the liberty of outlining a few things Harry will need.

Recalling Poppy's so-called 'suggestion', I decided it was best to get this mess finished as soon as possible. Glancing at the list she had sent me out with, I decided to just start from one side of the store and work my way across. Grabbing a basket, no doubt with an Extension Charm, I scrutinized the store.

Pharmacy first, then.

Rows of shelves covered the far side of the room. After scanning a few rows of assorted products, I stopped at the packaged sets. I settled for a toiletry package that included what I hoped were age-appropriate products. It came with a toothbrush with toothpaste, a comb and brush set, tear-free shampoo and conditioner, a container of mild body wash, and a bottle of Bizorren's Babbling Block Bubbles. Sighing at the absurdity, I added it to the basket before I changed my mind.

Next, clothes.

I stuck to Poppy's list mostly, skipping over single items and favoring packaged bundles. Quickly as possible, I selected a dozen clothing-sets with sport shirts and trousers, another dozen set of nightclothes, a dressing gown with matching slippers, seven pairs of pants and socks, a few jumpers, a single pair of trainers, and a set of formal robes complete with dress shoes.

Just as I was ready to leave, I noticed an array of stuffed animals lined the back wall, varying from seemingly mundane to extremely dangerous. A variety of Owls, Kneazles, Rats, Puffskeins, Crups, Unicorns, Phoenixes, even Dragons all in different colors and sizes, danced and hopped and sang attracting nearby children and parents.

More like hooligans.

Cries and whines of 'I want' and 'I need' plagued the air, little brats throwing fits and having tantrums. Scowling, I turned away.

This was ridiculous.

I would not be blinkered over a child, of all things. My embarrassment seemed to grow tenfold. Turning to storm the nearest checkout, something abruptly caught my eye. A light yellow patchwork toy lay limply over a tub in the corner. Upon closer inspection, it seemed the charm had worn out and it had been thrown into the clearance bin. Before I changed my mind, I shoved it at the bottom of the basket. Head held high, I hurried to the checkout before I managed to humiliate myself further.

—SSHPSSHPSSHPSSHP—

"Have a nice time?" Poppy asked, the moment I stepped out of the fireplace.

"How were you not sorted into Slytherin?" I demanded. Met with chortles and shoulder shaking, she only smiled. Bag in hand, I was just about to leave the mediwitch tending to her students when I noticed the Figg woman was surprisingly still in the office with Harry.

"She is still here?" I asked, watching as the boy talked to the woman. He was obviously comfortable with her.

"She told him about you, the circumstances with his relatives."

"Presumptuous, don't you think?" I did not quite know how I felt on the subject, I realized as I watched them conversing. Was it really her place to explain things to my future charge?

"Well, she was the one to rescue him, Severus," Poppy reasonably admitted, "Besides, I was with them earlier, and you might be grateful she is taking the time to talk with him."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Poppy unexpectedly pulled me aside, and began talking hushedly.

"That boy knew nothing of magic. I mean nothing. Those muggles did not tell him anything. It seems they did not stand for any talk of magic in their house. He did not even know what a wizard was!" I was shocked into silence. The Boy-Who-Lived, the savior of the wizarding world did not know of magic?

"Those monsters," Poppy murmured heatedly, trailing off, "If anyone ever deserved Azkaban-"

"So, she is still talking to him."

"I am sure you can go in and interrupt. I think she was just waiting until you returned, didn't want to leave him alone." Nodding, I returned to Poppy's office.

—SSHPSSHPSSHPSSHP—

"Ah, hello," Mrs. Figg stood, throwing me a tired smile, "Well, it must be time for me to leave. Cats won't feed themselves." The boy did not look happy about her leaving, but he did not say anything against it. I waited until they had both said their goodbyes before I walked in.

"Hello," I said, awkwardly standing in the middle of the room, "Do you remember me?"

"Sev'rus," he whispered, dropping the 'ver' sound in my name. I decided to let it go, I could correct him at a later time.

"Yes. Did Mrs. Figg come to see you?" I asked, both of us already knowing the answer. He nodded anyway, watching her leave with Poppy.

"Mrs. Figg says I am s'posed to live with you." I nodded back, trying to gauge his reaction. He only looked scared, looking up at me. Bright green eyes flashed behind a wild, uncut mane.

"What do you think of that?" I asked, sitting down in hopes of appearing less intimidating. But Harry only shrugged, inspecting the threads on the underside of the sheets.

Despite Figg's talk with the boy, I wanted him to hear things from me as well. I was his guardian, and it was only proper I established myself as such,

"Not only will you be living with me, but I will be your guardian," I tried to explain, "Do you know what that means?" This time he peeked a glance at me, and slowly shook his head side to side.

"Your relatives used to be your guardians." His eyes widened, and he stifled a gasp. I noticed his hands began to shake before he dug them into the sheets. No doubt terrified, it worried me more that the child felt compelled to hide his fear.

"They were very inappropriate guardians, very bad people who you should not have been placed with." I went on, trying to explain the circumstances. "What they did to you, was not right. Adults should never hurt children. They were not suitable guardians, and so I will be your guardian from now on."

He nodded after a few moments, looking more nervous now than scared.

"As your guardian," I decided to take a page from Poppy's book, "I took the liberty of acquiring a few things for you." I pulled the carrier bag closer to the bed, so he could see.

"For me?"

"Yes," I nodded, trying not to stammer. My way with words had disappeared the moment he looked up at me. Every time I saw Lily's eyes, something inside me seemed to jar itself.

"What is that?" he asked, pointing into the bag. I pulled out the stuffed, patchwork animal I had bought on a ridiculous whim. Holding it out to him, I willed my tongue to untie itself.

"Ah-er- well, it's a doe." Ever so shyly he took the stuffed animal from my hand. He handled the toy as though it were a piece of crystal. Ever so delicately, he seemed to take in every detail, from the various colored patchwork pieces to the feel of the different fabrics to the button eyes.

"Thank you, sir," he whispered, his voice breathless. He acted as though I bestowed some great honor upon him instead of just giving him some silly toy.

"Yes-well-," I cleared my throat, "Anyway, Popp- Madame Pomfrey says you need to stay here tonight."

"Then what?" He surprised me by asking, continuing to look into the bag but never touching anything.

"Then tomorrow, we will go home." He looked at me with his evergreen eyes, Lily's eyes, as if absorbing everything I had said.

"Okay, Sev'rus."

—HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS—

After our talk Poppy interrupted and delivered a dinner tray for the boy. She made sure he took his last dose of Blood Replenisher and then gave him another dose of Draught of Peace.

Soon after, the boy fell asleep. Likely he would require more sleep than he had been getting, if the dark circles underneath his eyes were anything to go by. Poppy returned after checking in on her other wards and took a seat next to me.

"I will do right by him." For reasons unknown, I felt a need to reassure her.

"I know," She sighed, patting my hand. A moment of silence past. Everything was quite. The calm after the storm, as it were.

"Sometimes, I'm not sure I did right by you, Severus Snape," Poppy suddenly admitted, her voice hush.

"You did enough."

Harry flinched as I pulled his blanket up over his shoulders. His tossing and turnings had also dislodged his stuffed animal, and I quickly replaced it under arm. He slowly relaxed again, holding his oh-so precious toy to his chest.

Unbeknownst to me, Poppy began smiling to herself.

"Perhaps I did."

A/N: Hahaha, Poppy made Severus go shopping at a kiddy store! Leave me a comment if you like the big-not-so-bad Severus ;)