When Harry work in the morning he was suppressed to find himself in the arms of his Professor yet again. It had seemed that Snape had fallen asleep while holding him. He hated to move which would wake him, but Harry had to find a bathroom and quick! His bladder was close to exploding! So, slowly trying all he could not to wake Snape he wiggled out of his arms on landed on the floor. It seemed he had succeeded in not waking his Professor, thank goodness. He had a feeling that his Professor could be grumpy in the morning, heck when was he not grumpy!
Harry exited the bedroom and started his search for the bathroom. Luck was on his side though and he found it was just beside the bedroom. Thank Merlin!
Severus woke with a start. Something was off, he opened his eyes and found Harry was gone. In mere seconds panic filled thoughts filled his head "how long has he been gone, is he ok, is he scared and hiding, has he run away and most importantly where is he?" Jumping out of bed he stated calling for his student. "Harry are you here?" "Harry, please answer me." "Harry?"
Exiting the room he almost ran over Harry coming out of the bathroom. So relieved to have found the child he let his emotions overcome himself and hugged the boy.
Somewhere from his chest area he heard a muffled voice. "Professor, are you ok? Your kind of squishing me."
He pulled Harry away from his chest and gave him a concerned look. "Not particularly Harry. Do you remember what happened last night? What your nightmares were about?"
Shamed Harry looked down. "Yes, sir I do remember the dreams about summer vacation. I'm sorry for waking you sir."
Sighing and taking his hand Severus gently forced Harry's chin up so that he could look straight into his eyes. "Harry you have nothing to be ashamed about and there is no need for you to be sorry about waking me. That is why I am here." Softening his gaze a bit he tried to ask about his third nightmare again. "Harry, so you remember the last nightmare you had? Your scar split open, was it about the Dark Lord? Please, Harry it's important."
Slowly Harry mumbled "It's the same dream I always have. There was a green light and Voldemort was laughing..."
As Harry trailed off Severus pulled Harry in closer so they were once again hugging and gently brushed Harrys unruly hair back. "It's ok Harry, you're here now and you're safe. Why don't you take a warm shower and I'll ask the house elves to bring you down some clothes. Then, we can have some breakfast together, ok? After we get some food in you, I think the headmaster wants to come see how you are and for us to sign some papers. Then, if you can we would very much like to hear all about your nightmare, if it's ok with you? Are you truly alright Harry?"
Wearily Harry nodded his head against his Professor's shoulder.
Severus sighed. "Ok Harry how about that shower now, hmm? If you need anything at all just call for me."
After Harry shut the bathroom door, Severus sunk down into the nearest chair and put his head in his hands. "He remembers Lily. Harry remembers the night you died or more likely Voldemort has been forcing him to remember all these years. God dammit, how much pain can one child take before breaking?" Unbeknownst to the potions master tears were forming in his eyes and were slowly making their way down his face. The last time he had cried was when Lily had been killed, fourteen years ago.
Quickly Severus got a hold of himself. He had things to prepare for the boy in his care. Calling his house elf "Winey" he asked her to bring down Harry's trunk and set out a fresh set of clothes on the bed for him to change into. After Winey had finished her task, she reappeared before her master and asked "is anything else Whiney can do to please master sir?".
"Yes Winey could you please fetch two bowls of oatmeal and some juice for Harry and myself?"
Having her orders Winey popped out and steaming bowls of food appeared on the kitchen table. He cast a quick warming charm on them so that they did not grow cold while he waited for Harry. Food and clothes taken care of the Professor turned to make a quick floo call to Albus asking him to come down after breakfast to sign the papers and "discuss some things".
Albus caught the slight flicker of pain in Severus's eyes when he said they had to discuss things and nodded his head gravely. "I will be down as soon a breakfast is over my boy. I trust that his dream did have Voldemort in it then?"
"Worse Headmaster, worse"
When Albus ended the floo call it was with a sad gaze and a heart that felt like a ton of bricks. He went to breakfast though and tried to act like his cheery self. Most of the teachers seemed to see through his act though, in particular Minerva. His old friend could always read him like an open book, whether he liked it or not.
As he was getting up from the table, Minerva placed her hand on his and gave him a knowing look. "It will be ok Albus, he is a strong boy. You did what you thought was best at the time and no one blames you."
"I fear my dear friend that is not entirely accurate. I know with Severus's help Harry will slowly recover, but it seems that many in the order do blame me. It is only because of Remus that I am not in the hospital wing this morning." Dumbledore said the last part in a low tone and continued. "I did do what I thought was best at the time, but I should have checked on him. I should have seen what was happening to the poor child, he's just a child Minerva and should not have to be strong. Thank you for trying to comfort me though, I appreciate it. I have to take my leave now and complete Harry's guardianship papers." With a sad smile he departed the hall, leaving those who were close enough to hear stunned that their Headmaster had taken the all the blame that should be on every teacher here for not seeing what Harry was hiding.
Minerva gave the back of Albus's head a disappointed look as he left the hall, she would have to have a word to him later about blaming himself unnecessarily. It was all their faults after all, not just his.
Breakfast was uneventful for Harry and Severus. When Harry had gotten out of the shower Severus had told him that clothes were on the bed for him and he should get changed. Coming out of the bedroom Harry jumped as there was a loud pop. A house elf had appeared in front of his Professor and told him that the extra room had been added on next to his bedroom and "Master Harry Potter sir's" things had been moved in.
Knowing that only one house elf had nickname for him Harry looked closer and he indeed saw it was Dobby. Thankfully Snape nodded and Dobby popped away before Harry could be spotted by the elf. He liked Dobby, but he was not in the mood to be hugged fiercely and told how great and wonderful he is. Taking a deep breath he went over to Snape and asked "A new room sir?".
"Why yes Harry. Since you asked me to take over your guardianship, if that is still what you want, you will need your own room. You cannot sleep on the couch when you're down here and I like my bed very much. Now before we start on our breakfast why don't we go and check out your new room, hmm?"
If Harry hadn't know better he would have sworn that his Professor was teasing him. He turned just in time to miss the slight smirk directed at him from Severus.
The room was huge, triple the size of his bedroom at Pivot Drive, not that that was much of a bedroom with all the broken toys. There was a bed much like his one in the Gryffindor dorms in the corner of the rooms decked out in red and gold. Across from the bed there was a wardrobe that looked like it was held all his clothes, not that he had much. A night table beside his bed, a bookshelf holding all his school books next to his wardrobe and a desk with all the necessary tools next to that.
He turned to his professor. "You didn't have to do all this sir, I'm not sure I deserve it. Thank you"
Severus sighed, he seemed to be doing that a lot that past day and steered Harry to sit on his bed. Sitting down next to Harry he gently forced Harry to look into his eyes. "You do deserve a room of your own Harry. No one ever deserves to live in a cupboard and then a bedroom filled with broken toys. I hope you know that your relative were wrong and you do deserve all the good things that happen to you." Severus continued in a slightly softer voice. "This is your room Harry, your place to relax and be safe. You are more than welcome to stay here whenever you want to, even during the school year. Now, I believe I forgot to mention to you that the Headmaster has given both of us the week off to get better acquainted and for you to get settled into your new rooms. He will be coming to see how we are faring after breakfast, so why don't we both get something in our stomachs before he starts offering us those infernal lemon drops?"
Harry had just finished his oatmeal, only managing to finish half, and a nutrition potion when Albus stepped out of the floo. That old coot really did have impeccable timing. After banishing the rest of their breakfast to the main kitchen, Severus guided his young charge over to the couch while Albus followed.
When they had all gotten comfortable, complete with tea and lemon drops Severus was the first one to speak. "Headmaster why don't we start with the guardianship and leave other matters for later" He gave Albus a pointed look and discreetly pointed his head to the trembling boy beside him.
Albus nodded his head in acknowledgement and put the papers he was caring on the table in front of them to look over. "Harry, professor Snape told me that you would like to stay with him is that true?"
Looking at his lap he started to feel even more nervous and awkward. What if he said something wrong? "Yes sir, he's been...k-kind to me and I would like to stay with him."
Severus started to rub Harry's back in soothing circles sensing he knew what was wrong with the child. "It's ok Harry. You can say nothing wrong in these rooms. We just want to do what is best for you and what you want. Ok?"
Feeling a bit better about talking in front of these two men Harry nodded.
Gently so not to scare the fragile boy Dumbledore proceeded. "Ok Harry, to make this official you and Severus will have to sign some papers. Are you ready for that? In turn you signing these papers will void the Guardianship papers your Aunt and Uncle have. Meaning you will never have to go back to them."
With a bit more confidence Harry nodded. "I'm ready sir."
Nodding Albus grabbed the first part. "Severus this is your part. You have to write your intentions on how to raise Harry, the paper will make sure that everything you write is truthful. Seeing Harry giving Severus a worried look he continued. "This is to make sure that you are not going into an unfit home Harry. It is not necessary paperwork for guardianship, but Severus requested it."
After filling out that section of the forms, Severus gave Harry what he had written for his intentions. Harry looked at him with a confused gaze. "Sir?"
"Go ahead Harry, before you sign anything I want you to read this."
Reading the paper Harry's eyebrows shot up into his hair and looked at his Guardian. Severus nodded to Harry to continue reading. Snape had written things that no one else had ever done for him before and this paper made sure he was not telling lies. He felt...cared for.
It read...
"I Severus Snape here by promise that I will care for Harry Potter as if he were my own son. I promise to provide food, shelter and adequate clothing for him as well as a loving caring home where he will always feel safe. I promise I shall never lay a hand on this child other than to comfort him and I will never deny him basic necessities. I promise to love and protect him as long as I shall live and even beyond. He shall be my child in all but name and blood."
After reading the piece of parchment, Harry leaned into his professors side. Severus took his arms and embraced him in a side long hug. "I will always be here for you Harry"
Harry finally got up enough courage after a few moments. "I would like to sign the papers now Professor Dumbledore, please."
Albus put the paper in front of Harry and gave him a reassuring smile. "All you have to do is sign right here Harry"
After signing the papers the three had to delve into more tedious topics and Harry truthfully didn't want to discuss his dream, it was still too fresh in his mind. Sensing Harry's nervousness Severus summoned a calming drought and poured a little into each of their cups, with just a little more in Harry's then the rest. Severus had a feeling that this discussion would be distressing for all three of them, but more so to Harry.
Seeing Harry start to drink the cup of tea Severus gently began. "Could you please tell us all of your nightmare, the last one with Voldemort in it?"
Harry nodded seeming calm and he told them all he could remember about his dream. His parents dying, Voldemort laughing afterwords, seeing Cedric die for just being with Harry, being tied to the gravestone, and Sirius dying even though he had just heard about him for he was not there.
A long conversation later and many tears into Severus's now drenched robes it was concluded that Harry was indeed being sent visions by Voldemort to make him feel guilty for all the deaths around him. Figuring that out, both Severus and Albus made sure that Harry did not blame himself for what had happened to all those people. That was an even longer conversation, but it did end with Harry believing both his professors.
It was then decided that Harry would have to begin Occlumency lessons with Severus to help protect his mind. Before they started though, Severus would help clear his mind for him at night.
All three were emotionally exhausted. Albus took his leave with the papers for the ministry. Before he left though, he turned around and looked at Harry. "Oh my I almost forgot, how silly of me! Mrs. Granger asked me to give you a message. She told me to tell you that they will always be there for you, no matter what happens or what has happened. You have good friends my boy." With that he left Severus to order lunch and a stunned Harry.
"They don't hate me after all" was the first thing that popped into Harry head and then smiled.
The rest of the afternoon was actually enjoyable for the new guardian and ward. Harry did the work he had missed from yesterday and today, his teachers had sent it down, and Severus went over it correcting what he had gotten wrong. Loosing track of time they soon found that it was time for dinner.
After eating their last meal of the day, Harry got ready for sleep and got into his new bed. Severus came in soon afterwords and smiled slightly at the sight before him. Harry was almost asleep from the trying day, but his glasses were still on and it looked like he was trying to fight the inevitable rest.
"Ok Harry let's put these glasses on your night stand. That's right, close your eyes. Such a good child. Now we are going to practice clearing your mind, alright?"
Seeing Harry nod sleepily Severus placed both hands on Harrys head. "Ok Harry, I'm going to try to help you clear your mind now. Relax and try to banish all thoughts from your mind. That's right, focus only on your breathing. In, out, in, out... that's right."
Taking his hands back slowly so he wouldn't wake the teen he looked at the child in his care. Brushing his unruly hair from his face Severus sighed, he really has to stop that, and thought of all the years they had been at odds. Even though it was likely that Harry could not hear him it did not stop Severus from whispering "I will make up for all these lost years, I will make up for all those hurtful words. I promise".
