Summary: Severus has never done anything for anyone, but what will he do for one small boy named Harry.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot
A/N: Of course it is AU. I also would like to thank my beta Nita
Chapter 26
The next morning, Severus went into Harry's room and found him still asleep. It wasn't like he could blame the boy, as it was only seven, but they had lots to talk about. After glancing down at the boy sleeping so peacefully, Severus decided to have breakfast, in hopes that Harry would wake up on his own.
As soon as Severus sat down at the table, a plate of sausage and eggs was set down in front of him, along with toast and jam. He slathered the fresh strawberry jam on his toast and sipped his coffee, leisurely eating his breakfast when a bleary eyed Harry emerged from his room.
"I thought I heard everyone else up," he said, taking a seat at the table, yawning widely.
Before Harry had time to yawn again, Gertrude put a plate of food down in front of him. Harry wasn't really hungry, but the smell of the sausage and eggs had him grabbing his fork.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Harry swallowed the huge bite of sausage in his mouth before answering, "You know I did. I thought I was going to have the same dream I always have, but this time I didn't."
"Well, what did you dream if not the same one?" Severus took another sip of his coffee, curious as to the answer.
Harry giggled, and then burst out laughing, holding his sides.
"Surely it wasn't that funny," Severus said.
"Yes, it was."
"Why don't you tell us and I will be the judge."
Harry covered his mouth, giggling again before straightening up in his chair.
"Well, it started with all of us outside. It was snowing, and I wanted to make a snowman. The next thing I know is I was in the kitchen, and you were standing at the stove, but you had on a dress, and curlers in your hair."
Harry started giggling again, and this time Gertrude joined in. Severus stared at both, slack jawed.
"That must have been a sight to witness. I shall tell you I will never be found in a dress, and curlers."
Harry kept giggling, until he felt like he would explode if he didn't stop. Wiping his eyes, he looked at Severus, who was still glancing at them both and asked, "Where are we going, anyway?"
Severus set his coffee cup down, and his face was no longer anything but somber.
"I am afraid we have to go to your relatives."
Harry's face turned ashen. "No┘but why? I don't want to go back there."
Severus left his chair, coming to stand beside Harry, who was now trembling.
"I have to obtain their signatures; that is, if you still want to be my son."
Harry's trembling didn't stop, in fact it grew.
"I just ... I can't go back there. Uncle Vernon says I am not allowed there ever again. He will hurt me if I go. Please ... please don't make me go there," Harry said, tears now streaming down his face.
Severus knelt down, pulling Harry to him, but not before seeing a very angry Gertrude.
"I will not let him hurt you, Harry, not ever again. I promise you that."
Severus held Harry until he stopped trembling.
"Why don't we get dressed, and I am sure Fred is wondering where you are by now."
Harry dressed as Severus showered. He remembered the last time he had seen his uncle. He recalled the beating, the threats. Harry shuddered, trying to clear those visions from his mind. Fred, sensing something was wrong, nuzzled Harry's hand.
Severus, too, felt uneasy about going to the Dursley's. His plan had thus far worked, either by the Muggle's fear of their son never changing back, or their own stupidity that they had not told someone else. Severus didn't care why it was working; he just worried that they might do something drastic when faced with signing the papers. After dressing, Severus looked in the mirror. This was not the face of a Death Eater any longer; this was the face of someone who wanted to be a father. If Vernon Dursley tried to stop him, then Vernon Dursley would be eliminated. Gathering himself, Severus stepped out of the bathroom, and into Harry's room.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked, and received a shaky nod. Grabbing Harry by the hand, they both walked to the fireplace.
"Arabella Figg's," Severus called.
Severus stepped out of Arabella's Figg's fireplace, and was at once startled, for the woman was in her nightgown.
"Pardon me, Arabella for this early call on you that was not expected."
Arabella snatched her robe from the chair, wrapping it around her.
"Severus, this is an unexpected visit, but I can have something to eat in a few short minutes. And who is this boy you have with you? That can't be Harry, he looks so different."
Severus was already anxious and nervous and the woman's cheerful banter wasn't helping him any.
"We have already eaten, but thank you all the same. As for Harry, it is amazing what food and care will do for a child."
Without Arabella noticing, Severus pulled his wand out of his sleeve as they walked to her front door.
"I wish you could stay Severus," she called after him.
Severus thanked her in return. and then with a sigh, obliviated her.
"Why did you do the wand thing on the lady?" Harry asked.
"No one is to know that we have been here, Harry, and Arabella Figg is nothing if not a gossip. Come, let us get this over with."
Severus and Harry walked the short distance until they were standing at the front door of Number Four Privet Drive. Before Severus went to knock on the door, he knelt down in front of Harry.
"Stay close to me."
Harry nodded that he would and grabbed a handful of Severus' shirt in his hand.
Severus rapped loudly on the door and it wasn't long before it was flung open and a very disgruntled Vernon Dursley stood there.
"What do you want? Haven't you caused my family enough grief?"
Harry had hid behind Severus the moment he heard the door open, and was still trying to make himself invisible.
"I have come on an important matter. Step aside unless you truly wish to alert all your neighbors that wizards have come for a visit."
Vernon Dursley opened the door and Harry gasped when he saw himself sitting on the couch watching the telly. This was when Vernon noticed the boy and he immediately lunged for Harry.
"You little freak! You are the cause of all this."
Harry stepped back behind Severus, shaking now in fear.
"You will not speak to Harry, nor will you ever touch him again."
"Who are you to stop me from punishing my kin?" Vernon said, the anger evident in his eyes. "You came here once and left me with a reminder of the little freak. Poor Petunia has been beside herself having to look at Dudley."
"I would think that it would be a much needed break from looking at the obese thing you dote upon. Enough small talk. I have come here for only one purpose, and that is to obtain your signatures. Call your wife from wherever she is hiding."
Severus took a seat on the sofa, sending the replica of Harry running to stand by the telly. Harry crawled up beside Severus, scooting as close as he could to the man without actually sitting in his lap. Petunia walked into the sitting room from the kitchen, an apron tied around her waist, a scowl on her face.
"What do you want?"
"What I want is simple," Severus said standing up. "I want your signatures so that I can adopt Harry."
Both Vernon and Petunia Dursley laughed. "You want to adopt the urchin there? Let me tell you that he is no good. He doesn't earn his keep."
Petunia's eyes grew glassy with restrained anger. ⌠My sister, the freak dies, and I get her kid dumped on me. I give the thing food and clothing all these years, and what thanks do I get? You came here and cursed my son, and now I have to look at him every day and see that freak!"
Severus was livid now.
"You did nothing but harm this child. You starved him, beat him, and gave him no amount of love. You are not the decent person your sister was. If you have to look at your son and see Harry then it should remind you of what horrid things you did to the boy. I think it is a just punishment for your misdeeds. Trust me, if I had my way, it would be a far worse punishment."
Vernon had been inching his way toward the sofa as Severus spoke, but not unnoticed by the Potion's Master.
"What do we get if we sign these papers?" he said, reaching down to grab Harry.
Harry yelped, and tears sprang to his fearful eyes. Severus had his wand out, pointed at Vernon Dursley's heart.
"You will get the privilege of living and that is all. Release Harry or you will know the true meaning of a wizard's wrath."
Vernon released his grip on Harry and went to step back, but a hand came and slapped him hard across the face, sending him falling to the floor.
"That was for daring to think you could touch him," Severus told him.
Petunia signed the paper first, shoving it towards Vernon who then also signed, and Severus picked up Harry to leave.
"What about Dudley? What about changing my son back?" Petunia yelled.
Severus turned at the door. "I will change your son back when Harry enters Hogwarts and not before. You see, others must think all is well in this house. I shall return every few months with the potion he must drink. In return, you will be allowed to live, though I do not deem you worth living."
Severus pulled his wand out again and obliviated all that were in the house before closing the door behind them.
Harry clung to him all the way back down the street, but finally got up the courage to ask him, "Does this mean I never have to go back there? Does this mean you will be my Dad now?"
Severus hugged Harry to him, then pulled him away to wipe the few tears off his face.
"We have but one last stop to make and then yes, I shall be your father."
Harry smiled, the first smile since they had left for the Dursley's.
"Let's go then."
Severus and Harry did not turn to go back to Arabella Figg's house, but instead, started walking the short distance into Surrey, to see the lawyer.
A/N: See you next week!