Harry steps into Severus's embrace and gasps at the feeling of apparating. The trio disappear with a loud POP!

The three appear in front of Number 4 Privet Drive. Harry's breathing becomes erratic, gaining the attention of both men with him.

Severus immediately kneels down and grabs Harry's hand. He lays the child's hand on his chest near his heart. He starts talking softly to Harry, "Calm down child you are fine they aren't going to hurt you. But first you have to breathe with me. Alright? Follow my breathing child. In and out. In and out." Severus coaches the child's breathing so he can get it back to normal.

Severus smiles when he sees that Harry is following his instructions and that they are working. "Good job child. That is a good job Harry. I'm proud of you Harry."

Harry collapses into the man's chest holding back his tears.

Severus can tell Harry is close to tears and he doesn't want the Dursleys to see that Harry had been crying. "Shhh. Child everything will be alright. Hush, my child you will be alright." Severus continues to whisper in Harry's ear.

Harry gets his emotions under control before pulling away from Severus. He looks down in embarrassment for his actions. He feels his chin being pushed up so he looks up in the onyx eyes.

"Harry, don't be embarrassed. I never want you to be embarrassed at showing your emotions in front of me. Alright?" Severus says when he is looking at the emerald green eyes.

"Yes sir." Harry says softly. So softly in fact that it is a surprise that Severus even heard him. Severus sighs when he hears Harry's unconvincing tone. He knows that this is going to take a while for Harry to completely open up to him, but that knowledge doesn't make it any easier.

"Come child. Let's go get this done with and then we can go to Hogwarts. How does that sound?"

"That's fine sir. I just want to get it over with." Harry says quietly.

"That is understandable Harry."

Severus stands up and puts his hand on Harry's shoulder guiding Harry towards the house. Albus leads the pair and reaches the door first. He raises his fist and firmly knocks on the door. They hear heavy footsteps coming towards the door. The door opens revealing a large man.

"How can I….. YOU!" Vernon yells when he recognizes Albus. "What are you doing here? We aren't going to take that Freak back." Vernon says not realizing that Harry is there as Albus is covering him.

"Hello Mr. Dursley. I think it is in your best interest to let us in. I don't think you want your neighbors to hear what we have to say." Albus says in a voice that sends chills down Severus's spine, never has he ever heard such a cold tone from the normally cheerful man.

Vernon's face goes from red to purple realizing that Albus is right. They don't want the neighbors to hear what is promisingly long conversation. Vernon steps aside letting the trio in. This is when he sees Harry. He makes a move to try and grab Harry only to grab the black robes of Severus.

Severus growls when he sees Vernon making a grab for Harry. He pushes Harry behind his back, putting himself in between the angry man and the terrified child.

"Mr. Dursley, you will NOT lay a hand on Harry. You have abused him long enough and it won't continue!"

Vernon grows even more angry at the man's words. "You freaks have the audacity to come to MY home and then feel that you can order me around? I won't allow it. This is MY house if you think….." Vernon is cut off by Severus casting a silencing spell on the raging man, effectively ending the man's rant.

Severus then walks to the living room with Harry. He sits on the couch pulling Harry on his lap. Harry was shaken from his uncle's actions. "Calm down child… You are okay I promised you that he wouldn't hurt you and I intend to keep that promise." Severus whispers in Harry's ear softly.

Harry calms at the man's words. Harry whispers so softly it is a shock that Severus even heard him, "You promise?"

Severus's heart breaks at the young sounding voice from Harry. "Yes, my child. I promise."

"Can we go now?"

"In a few minutes Harry. When we get the signatures then I will take you back home."

"Okay." Harry says while nodding.

Severus clears his throat and turning to Albus, who had followed him to the living room. "Can we get to the point? He doesn't want to be here."

"Of course Severus. We can. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. 14 years ago I left Harry to you hoping that you would treat him as your own. When it came to our attention that you, in fact, never treated Harry as any child should be treated we took Harry out of your care and transferred guardianship to Severus here. Severus wants to adopt Harry but is unable to until both of you sign the adoption papers giving Severus full custody. Mr. Dursley you have already signed one but since your wife hadn't signed the papers it was worthless. So I ask you both give Harry a chance to be raised as he should have the entire time. Since you have done nothing kind for this child, this is your chance, do the only good thing you can do for Harry."

Vernon and Petunia share a meaningful look before saying, "Where do we sign?"

Albus smiles and shows them. They both sign the papers making the adoption legal. "Very well, now that you have signed the papers you can expect to face repercussions in front of the Wizengamot, the magical courts."

Vernon splutters. "What! You said you wouldn't turn the authorities on us!"

"I said I wouldn't turn you to the muggle, your, police. You abused a child of the wizarding world and that is not acceptable." Albus voice raising.

Harry whimpers at the raised voices. Severus hears this and quickly says, "Albus, I am taking Harry to Hogwarts."

Albus just nods and says, "I will be along momentarily. I want to be here when the aurors come to collect them."

Severus just nods and stands up with Harry in his arms. He turns to head towards the door but is stopped by a voice cutting through to him.

"Severus. Can I say good-bye to Harry? Please? I never agreed with what Vernon did but he is the man of the house. His word is law." Petunia says, surprisingly with a pleading tone.

Severus hesitates for a moment before nodding, watching the relief cross the face of the woman.

Petunia walks towards the pair before looking down sadly at Harry. "Oh, Harry. I am so sorry for what has been done to you. I know I don't deserve it but I hope that you can forgive me. Severus. If you will allow me I would like to see Harry occasionally."

Severus is shocked that Petunia is seemingly upset. "Perhaps, but that will ultimately be up to Harry. I don't want him to be in any way uncomfortable. If you are not convicted I might consider allowing you to see Harry."

A voice comes from behind him, "I can tell you Mrs. Dursley that what you have just said will help you tremendously in court. If it is proven that you didn't contribute to the abuse you will not be jailed."

Severus turns and sees Madame Bones standing there. "Good day, Madame Bone now if you will excuse me I must take Harry to Hogwarts."

"Of course Severus. Take Harry home."

An/ What did you think of that plot twist? Do you think that Harry is going to forgive Petunia? Do you think that Harry will see Petunia more? Comment what you think.