Thank you guys so much for your reviews, likes, and favs. It truly means a lot, and sorry that this chapter is short, but I'm trying to figure out just where I want to take this story. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this story, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you guys for reading, and enjoy this chapter that focuses on Harry and Severus again. Tom will either show up in the next chapter or the one after that.

Disclaimer: Do I really need to keep doing these? *Sigh* Fine. I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 9

Harry was quite embarrassed to admit that once he saw the face of his old professor, he started to cry. He tried to contain his tears and stop himself from sobbing but it seemed the harder he tried to suppress his emotions, the harder he cried. He would have laughed at his old professor's shocked and fearful expression if he wasn't currently crying his heart out. It seemed that Professor Snape managed to get a hold of himself pretty quickly since he started to slowly rub Harry's back in small circles like he was doing just a few minutes ago.

"You're okay, Harry. There's no reason to cry. You're safe now," Professor Snape said softly.

The words only made Harry cry harder, almost to the point where he was gasping for air. He was finally safe, after seventeen years of hardship, pain, betrayal, and utter hopelessness. He never imagined that he would finally feel safe, protected, and perhaps even cared for. He was so happy to see Professor Snape again, even though he was in an alternate reality, and this man may not be his Professor Snape from his original world, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that Harry was with someone he could trust.

Several minutes passed, and Harry was able to get his emotions under control. He finally managed to stop crying and his breathing became easier.

"Better?" Professor Snape asked.

Harry answered him by nodding his head against his ex-professor's chest, too embarrassed to actually answer verbally.

Harry felt himself gently being lifted off of Snape's lap and placed back onto the bed against his pillows. He didn't want the man to let go of him, and he suddenly missed the closeness and warmth that the man was giving him just a few moments ago, but made no outward sign of his distress.

"I'm sure you're starving as those blasted muggles didn't feed you properly so wait here while I go grab you something light to eat, as heavy food would only make you sick at this point until your stomach gets used to actually being fed. Don't move," he said in a stern but gentle voice as he swiftly got up and left the room.

Harry watched Snape leave and realized that he was quite hungry. He couldn't remember when he had an actual meal, and was eagerly waiting for the man to bring him actual food and not the moldy pieces of bread that he managed to steal that made him quite sick after eating them.

Harry wasn't sure how long he was waiting until Professor Snape tfinally came back but it seemed like a long time to him as he was starving and was quite impatient while waiting. Harry smelled the food first, and it made his mouth water. He couldn't stop himself from eyeballing the bowl that Professor Snape had. Harry was so fixated on the food that he missed Professor Snape's brief look of sadness that crossed his face.

"Alright Harry, I can tell that you're eagerly waiting to eat but I must warn you to eat slowly so that you won't make yourself sick," the man said before handing Harry the bowl of what turned out to be a bowl of broth. Harry didn't care, it still smelled divine to him. Heeding his ex-professor's words, Harry drank the broth slowly even though he wanted to gulp it down all in one go. After he finished, he was sad because he still wanted more even though his stomach was already heavy and full. Suddenly, his eyes became heavy and he was trying to fight off the sudden exhaustion.

Professor Snape seemed to have noticed Harry's tiredness and walked swiftly to Harry's bedside.

"Don't go to sleep yet, Harry. I need you to drink these for me now. They won't taste pleasant but I promise you that they will make you feel better."

Harry inwardly groaned as Professor Snape handed him the potion vials that he knew was going to taste like old socks and Merlin knows what else. It seemed that in no matter what universe he was in, he could never get away from drinking nasty potions.

It seemed that Harry's face showed his reluctance as Severus took a vial, uncorked it, and held it up to Harry's lips to drink. Making a face, Harry drank the potion with little resistance and he only slightly gagged after drinking it all. Sadly, this happened a few more times and was glad that it was finally over and done with.

"You'll need to take these again every morning after breakfast, and also before bedtime every day until you get better," Snape said, and Harry was unable to suppress the whimper that escaped him. Potions were out to get him, he just knew it!

Harry was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a hand on his head and his hair was gently brushed from his forehead. Letting out a content sigh, Harry was starting to lose the battle against sleep, and finally laid down, exhaustion lulling him into slumber.

"Good night, Harry," was the last thing he heard until he finally fell into a peaceful sleep.