Sorry for the delay in posting this. I had it all set to go into Word and instead of copying I cut and lost the whole thing so I had to rewrite it. I hope you enjoy.
Alas I do not own the characters or places they belong to JK Rowling. I rather enjoy playing with her world and changing things here and there especially where my Severus is concerned.
I want to thank all those who read and enjoy. Thanks to all those who have put me on story alert. It means you like my story enough to want to read more. I have enjoyed the comments from those who have reviewed and I'm trying to post in a timely manner.
There have been several people who have commented on Harry's reactions. They have stated that Harry would not be behaving as I have him doing in my story. I have done a lot of research to keep my story as medically reliable as possible. Also I spent many years working in the medical profession especially with mentally challenged and abused teenagers. The only thing I can tell you is each child is an individual and each one reacts differently. Also they are very good at covering up the abuse and protecting the abusers because sometimes their lives really do depend on it.
Chapter 7: The Weasley Boys Visit 7/28
"Master Severus you need to be waking, young master needs you." Tibby called to Severus. In a matter of moments Severus had his robe and slippers on and was in Harry's room where he found the boy in the midst of a nightmare. Severus slipped up onto the bed and soon found himself with a lap full of sobbing child but he didn't mind a bit. With some help from Tibby, Severus was soon comfortably leaning against the head of Harry's bed.
"Tibby, please get me a calming potion and a pot of tea with 2 cups." When she returned Severus questioned her on the nightmare's progression. Severus sipped his tea while comforting Harry. Soon, with the help of the potion, Harry was calm enough to talk. Severus helped Harry to the loo then settled Harry in with a cup of camomile tea. They talked about Harry's nightmare. Harry kept apologizing to Severus for waking him up.
"Harry, would you feel it was right if I apologized for waking you up with nightmares of the Dark Lord torturing me?" Severus asked looking into Harry's eyes.
Looking at Severus puzzled. "Well no sir, you couldn't help it" Harry answered disbelieving.
Severus held Harry's face in both his hands, "Harry, what your uncle did to you was worse than any torture the Dark Lord used. It was worse than being under the Cruciatus Curse. Do not ever apologize for having nightmares about it." Harry nodded . "Harry, your nightmares are just your mind's way of dealing with what was done to your body." Harry nodded, "Now, young man, we need some more sleep. I'm going to give you some sleep potion to help you sleep."
"Sir, would you stay here with me?" Harry asked hesitantly Severus nodded and pulled a chair up next to the bed so he could rub Harry's back as the boy let the potion work and went back to sleep. As soon as Harry went to sleep Severus left him with Tibby and went back to bed.
The house was quiet when Severus woke. It was later than he normally woke so he quickly showered and dressed for the day then went to check on Harry. As he quietly opened Harry's door he was surprised to see Taffy and Lolly sitting on Harry's bed and the three of them talking and giggling. Listening, he soon realized that they were talking about the life and adventures of young Severus Snape. "Ahem" Harry and the elves jumped and looked quite guilty. Severus laughed, "learning all my secrets Harry?" Harry blushed and sputtered. "It is alright. I do not mind. Those two elves kept me sane when I was a child." Lolly and Taffy left after telling Harry to call if they were needed. Severus sat down and together they decided what they were doing for the day. After Severus helped Harry to the loo and with a bath he carried him back to where Tibby had their breakfast waiting. After a breakfast of eggs, pancakes, fruit and the ever popular nutrient potion for Harry, Severus headed to his potions lab leaving Harry with his two favorite elves.
Several hours later Lolly popped in "Master Severus, sir, young master said to tell you ' If you get a chance could you please help me to the bathroom.' He be getting wiggling sir." Severus put a stasis charm on his potion and went up to Harry's room.
"I'm really sorry to bother you,sir. I really have to go." Harry said almost in tears. Severus picked him up and carried him to the loo. When he was done Severus carried him back to the chaise.
"Harry, there is no reason for you to apologize. Next time please do not wait so long. It is not good for you. Eventually you will be able to walk with crutches or a cane but in the mean time I am here to help." Severus said to the boy. Harry nodded "You rest here. Luncheon will be in about an hour. I have some potions to finish and I will be back then." A little over an hour later, Severus walked into Harry's room to be greeted with a nice luncheon set out on a table with two chairs. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Severus smiled.
Harry smiled back then looked at the two elves standing by the desk. "I thought it would be nice to sit at a table to eat. Lolly and Taffy set it up for me. I hope it's alright" Severus assured him it was more than alright as he picked Harry up and set him down in one of the chairs. "Sir, can I ask you something important?"
"Certainly, Harry, you may ask me anything you want to. I will try to answer to the best of my ability. There are some things I will not tell you but I will let you know why I am not answering." Severus answered.
Harry nodded. After eating for a few minutes, Harry continued "Okay sir, I know you are my guardian. I understand all that. I talked to Mr. Weasley and Professor McGonagall about you 'dopting me." Harry stopped and the two ate in silence for a few minutes more. "I guess what I need to know, sir, is why you want me. I know you were my mum's friend but why would you care so much about me. I'm just a freak." Harry lowered his eyes.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER" Severus yelled. Harry shrunk back, flinching in horror before rolling himself up in as much of a ball as he could in the chair. "Oh shite" Severus looked in shock, jumped up and quickly knelt at Harry's side.
"I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ..." Harry was repeating over and over. Holding his arms around his middle and rocking.
Severus picked Harry up and sat on the chaise with Harry on his lap, "Harry, I'm so sorry son. I did not mean to yell at you. You did nothing wrong. Please forgive me Harry. I'm so very sorry, baby boy. Please open your eyes and look at me Harry." Severus rocked Harry on his lap, rubbing his arms and back. Slowly after about a half hour Harry finally uncurled and clung to Severus' robe.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be bad. I won't do it again." Harry sobbed.
"Harry, look at me, baby boy" Severus said softly. Harry slowly raised his tear-filled eyes and looked at Severus. "Harry, I am the one who is sorry. I should not have raised my voice. You did nothing wrong."
Harry lowered his head, mumbling "mus...ta done wro...ng. Won..na ye..lled oth...er...wise."
"Baby boy," Severus said raising Harry's head. "it was not your fault, Harry. I was just so upset when you called yourself a freak I overreacted. You are not a freak you are a wizard. Those muggles are the ones who are freaks."
Harry sniffled and blinked back his tears. " 'm not a freak? But they always said so. I couldn't be normal. I tried though."
"Harry would you call your friends Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley a freak?" Severus asked.
"No way! They aren't freaks." Harry stated firmly.
"That's right Harry, they aren't freaks and neither are you and neither am I. We are wizards and witches. We have magic. Do you understand?" Harry nodded. "Now I will try to be better and not yell again it will be hard for me though. You need to try to forget what those muggles said to you and I know that will be hard for you. They were wrong about you. You are a sweet loving boy who deserves to have people who will love you and take care of you. Now I will try and answer your question. You wanted to know why I wanted to adopt you. When your mum asked me to take care of you we were best friends like you are with Miss Granger. If she asked you to do something important and to swear by your magic what would you do?"
"I'd probably swear to what she asked me." Harry answered.
Severus looked at him "Even if it meant you could lose your magic if you did not do what she requested." Harry nodded. "Can you tell me why."
"She's one of my best friends and she wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important." Harry answered him.
"Well, Harry, your mum was my best and only real friend. We met long before we even went to Hogwarts together. In fact I was the one who told her she had magic. We were friends in school until sixth year when I did something really stupid. There were some boys in our year in Gryffindor house with your mum. They liked to prank people and I seemed to be a favorite target. After one particularly awful prank your mum tried to get me to 'forgive and forget'. I got mad and called her a really bad name." Severus stopped to gain control of his emotions that were threatening to become undone.
"What did you call her, sir" Harry asked softly.
"I called her a mudblood. I tried to apologize as soon as it came out of my mouth but she was so hurt. She started dating your father that year and they married right after we finished school. Eventually she forgave me and gave me a second chance at being her friend. I even learned to get along with your father for her sake." Severus said looking Harry in the eyes. "When the Dark Lord went after Lily and James they went into hiding under a Fidelis Charm. Before they went into hiding your mum came to me and begged me to vow to take care of you to the best of my ability. I did not even for a second hesitate to take that vow."
"Everybody deserves a second chance sir." Harry said softly hugging Severus tightly.
"I promised to take of you and because of Dumbledore's" Severus practically spat out the name "interference you would have been with me from the beginning. Or at least with someone like the Longbottoms who would have taken care of you like a son." Harry remained silent, his head against Severus' chest. "Harry, I'm not adopting you because of my promise. Yes, that is part of it but I have come to realize I care for you a great deal. I decided there was no way I would allow anyone to take you away from me. That means neither Dumbledore nor the Ministry. The one way I can assure that they can not take you is to adopt you through blood. Do you understand now?" Harry nodded and mumbled something into Severus' chest. Severus just sat there holding Harry lost in his memories when he realized that Harry had fallen asleep. Severus turned around on the chaise, pulled a blanket up over Harry and sat there holding him the entire hour and a half that Harry slept.
Severus smirked when Harry started to awaken. "Hello sir," Harry slurred. "'m sorry I felled asleep on you."
"That's fine Harry. We had a rather emotional lunch." Severus stated. "Would you like a snack?" Harry nodded so Severus ordered a snack and tea for them both. Severus moved them back over to the table but moved his chair so it was right next to Harry's. "Are you feeling alright, son? I am so sorry that I distressed you this afternoon."
" 's alright sir I over'acted, too." Harry sat there looking at his cup of tea and snacking on cheese, crackers and fruit. "Sir, I think I want you to 'dopt me. If you still want to." Harry spoke softly, "Can you tell that lady who wants to talk to me."
Severus stopped dead still with his tea cup halfway to his mouth. "Are you sure, Harry?" Harry nodded. "You do not know how happy you have made me Harry. I will contact Madame Garland this afternoon and start on the potion. The potion takes over 24 hours to make so if you want we can do the adoption day after tomorrow."
Severus carried Harry to the bathroom then back to his room to work on his stretches. After taking his potions Harry settled in to read as Severus went to contact Madame Garland. They made arrangements for her to come to Prince Manor at 11 the next morning. Severus then went to start the adoption potion while he finished the ones he had going in his lab.
Dinner was uneventful. Harry decided he would prefer to sit on the chaise when Ron, Fred and George come to visit. "Sir, do you think I should tell them what really happened? Should I tell them about the 'doption? What do you think sir." Harry questioned nervously.
"Easy now Harry, it is not good to get so worked up. What I think is that you should do what you feel is right. These are your friends Harry. What do you want to do?" Severus asked sitting next to Harry on the chaise.
Harry looked up at Severus "Could you maybe help me tell them, sir?" Severus assured Harry that he would help. "Sir, you're really gonna 'dopt me right?" Harry asked. Severus nodded "Do you think maybe there is something I could call you besides Professor or sir. I won't if you don't want me to."
Severus looked at Harry "I believe it would be acceptable for you to call me something else. Did you have a name in mind that you want to call me?" Severus asked, shuddering at the thought of some of the things he had been called in the past.
Harry looked at Severus very seriously, "Well I can't call you by your first name that would be um... disre ... disrespect ... um ... disrespectful." looking at Severus to make sure he had the right word. With a nod from Severus, Harry continued. "I could call you uncle but that feels wrong. My uncle is the one who hurt me. I figured if you're gonna 'dopt me that makes me like your son right?" Severus nodded. "So can I call you Papa? I call my first father Dad when I talk about him so I couldn't call you that. So is that alright then?"
"I would be honored to be your Papa, Harry" Severus said. Harry gave Severus a hug and thanked him.
With a look at Severus "Papa" Harry said checking to see if he got a reaction. "What time are the guys coming?" Harry asked. When Severus told him they would be there anytime Harry asked to be taken into the bathroom. While they were in there, Tibby announced that the Weasley boys were there. Severus had her take them to Harry's room and bring refreshments. Severus carried Harry into his room to be greeted by three redheads. "Hi guys" Harry said as Severus settled Harry on the chaise, covered his legs and sat down next to him.
"What's wrong with your legs mate? How come Snape .." Severus raised his eyebrow and stared at Ron. "Sorry, sir. How come Professor Snape had to carry you?" Ron questioned as the twins joined in.
"Mum said you were in an accident." Fred chimed.
"She said it was really bad."George said looking at Severus.
Harry looked at the boys then at Severus. "Papa, can you tell them please I can't get it to come out." Harry whispered.
"Papa? What the ...?" Ron burst out. Severus held up his hand as he started to speak.
"Gentlemen" Severus said quietly, "If I could have your attention for a few moments all will be explained." The boys nodded solemnly. "First of all Harry did not have an accident. We told people that until Harry was ready to talk about what really happened." The boys started talking at once. Severus held up his hand again. "Gentlemen, Please" Severus said a little louder, which got their attention and they stopped talking. "I know you three have an idea of what Harry's life was like at the home of those muggles" The last part of that sentence was said with such disgust the boys instantly paid attention. "Harry was beaten by his muggle relative to the point of collapse. He somehow managed to write the words 'HELP HARRY' on a piece of parchment using his own blood for ink." The boys gasped "Hedwig found me at Hogwarts with the parchment. I happened to be there that day to pick up potion supplies. If I had not had to make potions for Madame Pomfrey Harry might not be with us today." Harry whimpered and was starting to shake. Severus pulled Harry up on his lap and was rubbing circles on his back as Harry buried his face in Severus' robe. "With the help of a spell and Harry's owl I was able to determine his location so I apparated out back of the home. When I finally found him he was barely alive."
"Bloody hell, mate. What did your uncle do to you ?" Ron asked his voice shaking in anger as he placed a hand on Harry's leg.
Harry placed his hand over Ron's and nodded at Severus to continue. "Ron, when I got Harry here I immediately called for Poppy. Between the two of us it still took several hours to heal him just enough to keep him alive. We ended up putting him into a medically induced coma for five days. What we found when we did our first scan was broken ribs, broken collar bone, both arms, wrists and hands; both legs, ankles and feet; and a fractured skull. Besides the broken bones he had internal injuries, bruises cuts and contusions over his own body"
"Bloody freakin' hell Harry how are you alive?" Fred and George exploded. At the same time, Ron was so shocked he pulled Harry off Severus' lap and onto his own, hugging him hard. Soon Harry found himself in the middle of a three-way hug.
Severus judged the boys reaction and quietly slipped a calming draught into the butterbeer before pouring them each a glass. Handing the boys each a glass Severus sat back down on the chaise and took Harry back off Ron's lap. "Now boys before I tell you any more I need you to promise not to talk to anyone other than Harry, each other, your parents and I. I mean ...NO ONE ELSE... understand? It's not safe for Harry. I know he rid us of Voldemort but the Dark Lord's followers are still around. If they should find out how weak Harry is right now Merlin only knows what would happen to him." The boys all nodded seriously. " Alright now for the next part. We need to explain why Harry called me Papa. The first thing I did when we got Harry stabilized was to find out how to gain guardianship of Harry. I spoke with the head of the Department of Wizarding Children's Welfare. Your father and Professor McGonagall went with me while we had those people sign papers transfering their rights to me. We turned in all the medical reports, photos of his injuries, my memories of conversations I had with Harry's parents, and the papers we had signed. I was granted immediate guardianship so Harry is now my ward." Severus looked down at Harry and smiled. "I received some advise from friends who are familiar with the ministry and Headmaster Dumbledore and was advised to perform a blood adoption of Harry as soon as possible. Harry and I discussed it after he received advise from your father and Professor McGonagall. We have decided to go through with it and that will be taking place day after tomorrow when the potion is done."
Harry looked up at Severus and then at his friends, "When we do the blood 'doption Papa says nobody can take me away."
Severus smiled. "Harry has decided to call me Papa as he already refers to James as Dad. No wise remarks, boys." Severus said looking at the twins. "Now I'm going to leave you boys to talk. If Harry needs something send for one of the elves. And boys no rough stuff please." The boys agreed and Severus headed out the door leaving it open behind him. Before he made it to the stairs he heard one of the twins saying something about 'Papa Snape'. Severus shook his head. It was going to be a long summer.
After about an hour George and Fred came down and found Severus in the sitting room going over Harry's latest medical files. "Professor Snape. Is Harry gonna be okay?" "We really care about him a lot." " He's like another little brother" Questions came from both boys at once. Severus could not tell who asked what.
Severus set the folder down, "Boys, I don't know what to tell you. Harry will live. The majority of his injuries will heal. At this point we can not tell how much of his mobility will return. He may be able to walk completely fine with no residual effects or he may never be able to walk again without a cane." Looking in the folder Severus pulled out several photographs. "Boys, I don't know if your parents would want you to see these but I believe they might help you understand." Severus showed them several photographs of Harry taken before they started treating the outside wounds.
The boys grew quiet, tears starting down their cheeks, "Bloody Hell Professor, How can anyone do that to another person? Especially a little kid like Harry."
"I do not know, boys. I really do not know. I think Harry might be getting tired. It's been a long day for him and we still have his stretches to do." Severus and the twins walked up to Harry's room where Harry and Ron were talking about Quidditch. "Merlin preserve me from boys and Quidditch," The boys all laughed at the look on Severus' face. " It's time for the boys to go home now Harry. Don't worry they can come over again and maybe next time you will be out of that bed." While Tibby showed the boys to the floo, Severus did Harry's stretches and then drew him a bath. After his bath Severus wrapped Harry in a towel, placed him on his bed and applied the healing cream to every place that still needed it. While rubbing in the cream and doing the other things that needed to be done before Harry could sleep they talked about how the visit had gone. When he was done, Severus helped Harry into his pajamas and tucked him into bed.
Harry reached up and gave Severus a hug. "Thank you for taking care of me, Papa. I was pretty hurt wasn't I?"
Severus hugged him back and kissed him on top of the head. "You are welcome, baby boy. Yes you were pretty badly hurt but you are getting better. It will just take time." as Severus headed out the door he heard a barely audible goodnight from Harry. "Good night my sweet boy. I will see you in the morning" Severus went downstairs and read until about midnight then went up to bed.