"Of course Severus. Take Harry home."
Severus appears in front of Hogwarts with Harry in his arms, at some time Harry had fallen asleep in his arms. He knows that Vernon definitely will be convicted with child abuse but he is unsure about Petunia. He knows that she never laid a hand on Harry but she easily could have stopped Vernon from hurting their nephew. All this is crossing his mind while he heads towards his quarters, he doesn't care that Harry hasn't been released from the Hospital Wing. He just wants to be close to his child.
Severus sets Harry down on the couch in his living room. He covers the child with a blanket before sitting in his normal chair. He calls out, "Blinky." His house-elf immediately pops in front of him in a low bow. "Yes Master Severus sir. How can I helps you?"
"Can you get me some tea and chocolate biscuits please in the dining room please?"
"Ofs course Master Severus sir." Blinky says quickly before popping away to make the tea. It takes only a minute for Blinky to reappear with the requested items.
"Can I gets yous anything else sir?"
"No thank you Blinky. You may return to what you were doing before."
Blinky gives a low bow before disappearing with a "POP." Severus decides to wake Harry up thinking that the child might be hungry. They haven't eaten in 3 hours and dinner isn't for another 2 hours. Besides, the child could do with the extra food in his body.
Severus walks to the couch and kneels beside his child's head. 'Oh my child. I wish I could save you from all this pain.' Severus is unsure of how to wake up Harry. He decides that softly and gently is the best way to go.
Severus opens his mouth to talk when Harry arches his back up and starts yelling, "NO UNCLE. PLEASE! NO I WILL BE GOOD! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN PLEASE!" It takes only a moment for Severus to realize that Harry was in the midst of a nightmare.
"Harry. Harry it isn't real. That isn't real. You aren't there, you are at Hogwarts Harry. Child, I promise you are safe." Severus tries to talk Harry out of it but it isn't working. A thought crosses Severus's mind. As much as it pains him to do it he forces himself to.
"POTTER!" Severus says in his sternest voice. The voice that he uses while dressing down a student. He hates to use this voice in the summer. Especially when he knows that Harry was abused. But, the effect is immediate. Harry's eyes fly open at the tone.
Rather than being calm as Severus hoped Harry is more on edge than ever. His eyes are moving quickly looking at his surroundings. His eyes land on Severus and his breathing increases. Severus acts quickly; taking Harry's hand and puts it on his chest. He starts to guide Harry. "Follow my breathing Harry. That's it. In and out. In and out. That's a good boy Harry. That's it."
Harry slowly starts to calm down at Severus's instructions. Severus lets out a sigh of relief when he sees that Harry has calmed down. "Good job Harry." Severus says softly. Harry looks at Severus before collapsing into him.
If Severus is shocked he doesn't show it. All he does is what he has done every time. He rubs small circles on Harry's back. Severus can tell that Harry is near tears. Severus decides to say something to Harry. He whispers softly in Harry's ear. "I don't know what you saw but I promise you that everything will be okay."
Harry hears this and closes his eyes trusting the Potions Master's words. He holds back his tears and holds onto Severus even tighter. Severus feels Harry tighten his hold on himself and says, "Child. It is okay. You are never going back there again. I promise. I don't care what I have to do you will never go back there again. Come child. I ordered us some tea and biscuits. You should eat something. I won't allow you to starve yourself. You should know that by now."
Harry nods in acceptance, knowing no matter how much he protests or argues he isn't going to get out of it. Harry pulls back and stands up waiting for Severus to stand as well. It is just now that Harry realizes that he isn't in the Hospital Wing. He asks Severus, "Where am I? Why aren't I in the Hospital Wing?"
Severus answers immediately yet honestly, "You are in my chambers at Hogwarts. I wanted to keep you close because of what happened at the Dursley's. Yes. Madame Pomfrey will have my head for this, but I don't really care."
Harry doesn't say anything. Severus watches Harry's face for any emotion. To Severus's irk, there are no emotions on the child's face. Severus stands up and walks to the dining room assuming that Harry will follow him. He assumes correctly and they soon find themselves in the dining room with the tea and biscuits, as requested, on the table under a heating charm keeping them warm.
Severus sits down in his normal place and pours himself and Harry tea. Severus notices that Harry is just standing there in the doorway as if waiting for an invitation. "Come sit Harry. I didn't just pour two cups for myself."
Harry hears these words and walks over to the table sitting down gently while keeping his tense posture as if waiting to be yelled at. He reaches out hesitantly for the tea cup as if he was going to be rebuked. When there is no yelling he cautiously raises the cup to his lips holding it there for a second before taking a small drink.
Severus watches Harry the entire time. He sighs when he sees Harry's reserved actions. "Harry. I was hoping to talk to you later about this but I think we have to now. I think by now that you know my feelings on punishment." Harry blushes and looks away from Severus.
Severus smiles at Harry's antics. "Eyes on me child. I have some rules for you and I want you to hear them so you can at least know about them when you break them." Harry looks up affronted. "Hey! I can follow rules."
"I never said you couldn't, I just said that I think the rules I have for you are going to give you trouble given your past. Rule Number 1; this is probably the most important rule that you follow, don't put yourself in danger. Rule 2; respect. You must be respectful to me, yourself and to all other adults. That means no calling yourself a freak. Rule 3; meals. You must eat 3 full meals a day. Rule 4; no lying. I cannot trust you if you lie to me. I promise you that I will always tell you the truth, that doesn't mean I will tell you everything, if I can't tell you I will straight up tell you that I can't tell you. Rule 5; obedience. I expect you to obey me the first time I tell you something. You may ask for clarification if you are unsure as to what I am asking but I expect you to do it. Those are the main rules I have that will always end up with you getting spanked."
Harry listens to the rules and nods thinking that they are reasonable. He frowns when Snape mentions being spanked. He opens his mouth to protest. But is stopped by Severus holding up his hand. "Don't protest. I feel that red backsides is a very good way for teenagers to learn lessons. I know very well that you don't like it but you aren't supposed to like it that's why it is a punishment. Also….." Severus is cut off by an irate Medi-witch storming through the door of his quarters. "SEVERUS SNAPE!"
An/ So I know this is crazy. Two chapters posted so quickly. I have had three snow days in a row, so I basically have a 5 day weekend. I haven't left the house since Tuesday (It is currently Friday) and I am going stir crazy. What do you think Madame Pomfrey is going to do to Severus? As always please review and let me know what is going to happen.
