After leaving Harrys room, even though it was eleven at night he flooed the headmaster asking him to come down. He didn't want to leave his rooms in case Harry needed him, but he had to talk to someone. If he didn't let out some of his frustration and pain out he feared he might snap at the one person he didn't want to snap at.

Albus arrived minutes later to a pacing Severus. "Severus my boy, what is the matter?"

Severus turned and looked at his Headmaster pain written all over his face. "Everything Albus, everything. That child in there has so much pain I'm afraid he might break." Severus paused and looked at Albus with worry filled eyes. "We went into his mind tonight Albus, to try to prepare it for Occlumency. As he was sorting memories he saw one that had him crawling into my lap crying his eyes out for over and hour. Albus, I don't know if I'm enough for the boy. He needs someone else who can show more care, not some dungeon bat."

Emotion was not something that his potion master showed willingly so Dumbledore knew that Severus really must be hurting to show so much on his face and eyes. It was obvious that he cared for the boy, calling him here so that he could vent showed as much. So mentally getting himself ready for a tying conversation Albus gently guided Severus to the couch by the arm, he knew he would not come willingly.

Both men sitting on the couch facing each other Albus prepared to begin. "Severus you are more than capable of caring for young Harry. Before you protest and say you are not good enough, I must remind you I have seen you interact with him. He feels safe with you. Merlin, how many times has Harry curled up in your arms looking for comfort? I trust you my boy. If not I would not have allowed Harry to stay with you." Dumbledore placed an arm around the younger man's shoulder and drew him into a close embrace. He could see that his former student desperately needed some comfort of his own, but would never initiate it. Severus slowly raised his arms and returned the hug, placing his head on his Headmaster's shoulder. Without really releasing it tears were once again running down the stern potion masters face.

Albus felt the hot tears land on his shoulder and couldn't help, but exclaim: "My dear boy, you really are hurting aren't you?" He then began to rub soothing circles on Severus's back like Severus had done for Harry so many times already. "It will be ok my boy, Harry will heal. He is already healing and it is all thanks to you. I believe I even saw him smile this afternoon, a too rare occurrence of late. Everything will be just fine my boy."

"But Headmaster, how do you know that I will be enough? How can you trust me after all I have done?How can you trust a death eater?"

Dumbledore continued to rub his former students back and started to send calming magic into him as his voice didn't seem to be enough for the distraught man. "My Child, I trust you because I know you. I know that when you care deeply about someone, you will do anything you can to help them. Severus, you are everything that child needs. Trust me."

When it seemed that Severus was calming down Albus mumbled a mild sleeping spell to help him relax. Feeling Severus finally fully relax into his arms Dumbledore sighed, cast a feather light spell on him and carried him to his bed. Quickly switching his clothes for sleepwear he tucked the man into bed and kissed him gently on the forehead much like Severus had done earlier.

Seeing Severus was falling into a deep sleep he exited the room and went to go check to see how Harry was. As he had hoped Harry was asleep, it seemed that Severus helped him more than he knew. He doubted that Harry would have any unpleasant dreams this night. Walking over to Harry he gently brushed his unruly hair back from his face. "Severus will help you as much as he can dear child, but I believe that you will help him far more. Goodnight Harry."

Assured that both his boys were safe and sound Albus flooed back to his office to go to bed himself.


When Severus woke the next morning he couldn't remember getting into bed. Then, it all came back to him, he lost it in front of Albus. He had cried, he had been vulnerable. Damn. He had to apologize for making such a scene.

Casting a tempus charm he saw that it was only six in the morning, good that would give him time to apologize before Harry woke. Getting up he quickly took a shower, got dressed, and floo called Albus.

Albus knew this call was coming, if he knew one thing he knew his potion's master. Instead of letting Severus apologize he held up his hand. "I'm coming down dear boy and I do not need an apology." Then his face disappeared.

When Albus came through he immediately pointed to the chairs in the living room. Both sitting down Albus started. "You have nothing to be sorry for dear boy, I know you are doing your best and sometimes we just need to let things out." Giving a gentle, but stern look to Severus he continued. "Any time you feel like you need to get things out I want you to come to me. You did the right thing last night calling me. I don't want you down here hurting anymore, I will not allow it. I have only allowed it until now because you seemed to be dealing with things the best you could. Now though, you have a child to worry about and I do not want you neglecting yourself. Understand?"

Sighing heavily Severus nodded. "Yes Headmaster, I understand."

Brightening immediately and with a twinkle in his eye Albus proceeded. "It seems that you may be in need of a break from being a parent today. So this morning I have arranged for Harry to travel to the Burrow to see Remus for a few hours. It will be good for Harry to see more people who care for him, as you know, and it seems that Remus desperately want to make sure his cub is alright with his own eyes." Seeing his potion master about to protest that Harry was not ready yet Albus cut him off before he could begin. "I know that Harry is fragile right now, but it will be good for him." Ever so gently he continued. "You can travel and stay with Harry if you wish to. I am sure that Harry will not mind and neither will Remus, but I thought that you might want an emotional break."

"I would like to go with him Albus." Severus said surprising his Headmaster yet again. Dumbledore thought for sure that either he would protest or stay here and sulk. Never had he thought that Severus would agree to go. Harry was truly helping Severus more than either of them knew.


In a couple of hours Severus woke Harry explaining that they would be taking a trip to the Burrow after breakfast so that he could visit with Remus. During breakfast Harry seemed forlorn and Severus didn't know why. Shouldent Harry be happy to see the wolf?

"Harry, child what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

Severus resisted the urge to sigh. "I need a verbal answer Harry. Whats wrong?"

"It's just..." Harry put his arms around himself. "It's just, what if Remus hates me?

Gently Severus placed his hand on Harry's. "Harry Remus does not hate you. He asked to see you so that he could make sure you were ok with his own eyes. You know that in his eyes you'r his cub, right?" Harry looked up at Severus confusion evident in his eyes. "Harry he cares deeply for you and hates that anyone hurt you. I will be there the entire time if you need me or you want to come home. Ok? I will always be here."

Harry nodded his head and looked reassured.

"Ready to go Harry?"


Arriving at the Burrow Severus caught Harry as he stumbled from the floo. Attempting to cheer Harry a bit he tried what had worked yesterday. With a mock glare at the boy and in a fake stern voice he pretended to chestate the boy. "I will not have my charge falling from the floo and break his nose. It would be too much work for me to fix it!" The small grin he received from the boy was worth the glare from the wolf who obviously didn't understand their little game.

"Hi Harry would you like to go for a little walk?" Hesitantly Harry looked at Severus who nodded. "I'll be here Harry. If you need all you have to do is call. Go on now get out of here!" Another glare from the wolf, didn't he understand that he was teasing the child?

Harry saw this glare sent to his guardian and turned to Remus. "It's ok Remus it's like a little... game we have" Remus glare softened and looked a little ashamed. "I'm sorry Severus, it's close to the moon and Moony tends to believe the worst in people."

Severus nodded understandingly and gave Harry a reassuring look. "It's ok Harry, go have fun now with Remus. Ok?"

Harry smiled and went for the door. Before Remus left to go after Harry Severus grabbed his sleeve and whispered in his ear so Harry could not hear. "Take care of Harry and if he becomes distraught please call me." The werewolf nodded and placed a hand on Severus's shoulder. "Don't worry about Harry, we will not be going far and I will not delve into subjects he might become upset about. I will call you though if Harry is in need though, rest assured."


Harry and Remus walked around the outside of the Burrow and wondered into the gardens. Remus saw Harry looking at the ground so he decided to tread carefully. It looked like the child might break at any minute. "Harry how had it been living with Severus? I know it has only been a few days, but have you decided if you want to stay with him?"

Continuing to look down Harry seemed to shrink a little. "A lot has happened over the last couple days, but the one thing I do know if that I want to stay with Severus. He cares for my Remus, no one has ever done that before. We even went to Hogsmead yesterday and he bought me things, with his own money! He said that even though my parents left money for me that I should save it for when I'm older. I even have my own room!" The last part was said with such excitement that Harry almost shouted it.

Remus was shocked he knew that Harry had been mistreated and it had to be bad for the Headmaster to remove him, but to hear Harry so excited about getting his own room made it all come to reality. Gently and slowly so not to startle him he enfolded Harry in a warm embrace. "Oh Harry, you should have always have had a room to yourself and Severus is right you should save up your money. I am so sorry that I didn't see how hurt you were when I was your professor. I am so sorry."

"Remus it's ok, I'm ok now. If Umbridge had not insisted in reading those books no one would probably know now. It's not something that I had wished anyone to know. I'm good at hiding, but I'm glad those book were read. I don't have to hide anymore and Severus has really been great."

Pulling back from the hug Remus look at Harry, studying him. "Are you really alright now? I've been so worried."

"Remus I've been better these past two days then my whole life. I finally have a parent."


The rest of the day went well. Remus and Harry talked for a little wile longer until Molly Weasley called them inside to have lunch. When lunch was over Harry was feeling a little tired from the morning events so they went back home so Harry could take a little nap.

After Harry's nap the rest of the afternoon was spent with Harry doing classwork and homework he had missed from the days past and Severus quickly went over them correcting all mistakes. It seemed that this was becoming a routine so Severus asked Harry if he would like for this "study session" to continue when they both returned to classes. It was decided that everyday after classes were finished Harry would come down for at least an hour and they would work on homework together. Harry was ecstatic, he had never had anyone check over his work before and he really hoped that he could raise his grades.

Soon it was time for dinner and that was over far too soon for both parties. Neither of them really wanted to continue Occlumency as they had thought of last nights events. It was unfortunately necessary though. This time Harry got ready for bed before they started just in case he became too emotional like the night before.

When Harry came back out to the living room to begin Severus ushered him over to the couch and to lie down. "You remember how we did this last night Harry, right?" Seeing a slow nod he continued. "Tonight we are going to do something slightly different. After sorting your memories into the appropriate places I will help you place wards on the doors so no one but you can enter. If we get finished with that tonight we will then move on how to push others from your mind. Ok Harry?"

"I'm ready sir"

Nodding Severus placed his hands on Harry's head and whispered "Legilimency".


Entering Harry's mind Severus conjured a chair and nodded towards Harry to begin. "I'm just over here Harry if you need me."

Nodding Harry turned and began his work. It seemed to be going well that is until Harry got to the memory he had been dreading. The memory of "that night" when Uncle Vernon had...

As soon as Harry had gotten to the memory he shoved it as hard as he could with his wand towards that door with all the chains on it. He then rushed towards Severus and clung to him, holding on for dear life.

"Hey Harry, your ok. I'm here. Thats right let it all out, shhh." Even Severus's soothing words seemed to be reaching defe eras as Harry continued to cry brokenheartedly into Severus's chest. They stayed like that for two hours. Severus's trying to calm Harry and Harry just letting go all hurt into Severus's now soaked robes.

When Harry seemed to calm down enough Severus had decided that the child need sleep more then anything. "Harry I think we can finish the rest of this lesson tomorrow night. I can help protect your mind tonight."

Weakly Harry nodded and they exited Harry's head.