AN: Standard Disclaimer, and another mini-chapter. You know the drill of reviewing by now. Hope you all like it.
Chapter IX.
As it was, my neck only needed the bag of peas for about an hour, by which time Harry was asleep by the end of the settee and Madame Weasley was sat angled at the table staring at both Harry, and me while one of us slept and the other one stared into the fireplace.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Mrs. Weasley's staring. "What at you staring at me for?" My voice was still hoarse but luckily in came out only as a strangled whisper certainly making sure that Harry did not wake.
"You seemed in another world, Severus. I just wanted to make sure Harry would be alright once I'd gone."
"I can look after him just fine Molly; your assistance was useful but perhaps you should leave."
"Fine. I will floo call you later in the day. Just to be sure." I huffed and gestured to the fireplace hoping that she would get the message. It took a few more minutes of myself and Molly staring at each other but she did leave. The green-ness of the fire seemed to unsettle Harry in his sleep, as he his eyes sprang open as if he had never been asleep at all, truly he seemed more dazed and confused than when his aunt had first dropped him off at my side.
"Harry, what is it? What is wrong?" My tone was calming and softer than the one I usually used even with my young Slytherin's.
"Sorry Dad, it's just a nightmare." My eyebrows rose as Harry was completely unaware of what he was saying in the slightly sleep deprived state.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry sleepily shook his head, which was leaning against the side of the settee. "Did you want to join me up here?" I smirked as his eyes shot open without any looks of fear but more of hope.
"Can I?" His voice was almost perfectly angelic, but it did not hide his worry of being rejected.
"I would not have asked if I was not certain, would I?" Harry was again shaking his head. "Well come on then." I patted the settee as I spoke reiterating my point. He was grinning broadly again as he climbed over the arm at the end of the settee; and crept up the settee like a little lion cub, until he was laying against me. We both shuffled until we were relatively comfortable, I noticed that Harry's head lolled backwards against my shoulder and that he was snoring already. I watched him sleep for about half an hour before the regularity of the ticking noise from the clock lulled me to sleep as well.