The killing curse did more than just rebound on the Dark Lord. It opened up a whole other world to the eyes of a child. A world of spirits and they are not planning on staying quiet. Eventual slash Severus/Harry.
xXx
"Lily, take Harry and go!"
"No, not Harry!"
"Stand aside!"
"No!"
Green light filled the room and the voices were silenced. A tall man with a dark wand turned to the last living Potter. The small child looked up at him with innocent green eyes from the arms of his dead mother. Voldemort's lips curled up in a cruel smile as he levelled his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
Green light flared once more as Voldemort looked into the eyes of the child before something strange happened. The light was heading straight back at him as the child's eyes blazed green. He yelled out in fear and pain before everything exploded around him and he was no longer in his body. The child's eyes looked straight at him as blood slowly dripple down his forehead from a cut on his brow.
Then Voldemort's spirit was tugged away but those eyes still haunted him as the words of the prophecy echoed back to him. He had made a grave error and it had cost him greatly. But was he the only one to pay the price?
xXx
"Hhhaaaaarrrrrrrryy," the name seemed to drift on the wind like the howl of a dog. "Hhhhaaaarrrry."
A young boy of three lay sleeping on a small cot in a small room under a set of stairs. He turned over in his sleep to face towards the door.
"Hhhhaaarrrryyy, wwaaakkkkeee uuuppp," the voice whispered.
The boy's eyes fluttered open as the voice called his name. He didn't know where he'd heard the voice before but he had a feeling that he should know it. The voice seemed to surround him making him feel safe in a house that he'd felt nothing but. He looked over towards the door to his small room and could see a misty figure beside him. He yelped and scooted back as close to the wall as he could get away from the apparition.
"Hhhaarry," the figure called, settling down near his bed as if kneeling.
The only thing Harry could make out were two pale green eyes and the slight outline of a person.
"Y-yes?" Harry stuttered, his back flush against the wall of his room.
The figure seemed to smile making Harry relax as he felt the joy radiating from the form before him. He focused on the misty figure and the edges slowly sharpened until he could see a woman beside him. Harry shivered as the figure become clearer with a soft redness to her hair and a deeper green to her eyes.
"Hello Harry, I've been trying to find you," the woman said softly, her voice calming Harry like a lullaby.
The boy relaxed in the woman's presence. Something very familiar about her as she smiled warmly at him. She wore a long white dress that mixed with the mists around her. He could see the door through her form on the other side of the small room.
"Y-you were looking for me?" Harry questioned, as if he'd never had someone look for him before.
"Yes, my baby boy," the woman smiled. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Lily Potter, I'm your mother."
"My-my mother but my mother died," Harry chocked out.
Lily smiled sadly, "yes, my baby, your father and I did. I've been trying to find you ever since then."
"I-I don't understand. I-I thought y-you d-died in a car c-crash?"
"No, no, is that what my sister has told you little Harry?"
"Yes," Harry whispered, his mother's form becoming clearer as he focused on her.
"I have a lot to tell you then," Lily said with a smile. "My little boy."
xXx
"Harry!" Lily screamed.
Harry accidently spilled the orange juice into Uncle Vernon lap instead of his cup at his mother's scream. Vernon jumped back from the table as Harry's head swung around to Lily.
"You ungrateful little shit!" Vernon thundered.
"They're coming Angel, run!" Lily shouted, rushing towards Harry.
The boy of eight, without thinking, ran out of the house with his Uncle's yells behind him. Those yells turned into scream as he followed the spirit of his dead mother. He covered his ears to try and block out the sounds. He kept running until Lily stopped at a run down and abandoned house. Harry had no idea where they were as Lily showed him a gap in the wooden fence and he squeezed through. His mother led him through the tall grass of the yard to an old cubby house covered in grass and vines.
He could hear explosions and sirens on the air and something else that made the hair sit up on his arms. Cold fear and dread sat in his stomach. He knew that death had come to Privet Drive.
"In here, Baby," Lily coached with a smile.
Harry didn't need to be told twice as he wiggled his way through the vines covering the open door and dived inside. He curled up in a corner while his mother settled down next to him. She spoke softly to him as she ran her fingers through his hair. He could still feel his heart pounding and the lingering sounds of his family in his ears. He knew that people were looking for him as he held his hands over his ears to drown out the sounds on the air.
"Please don't find me," Harry whispered under his breath. "Please don't find me."
"It's okay, Baby." Lily cooed. "We'll protect you."
Harry didn't know how long he stayed there. It could have been hours or days. At first, he was too afraid to move, then he didn't know where he would go even if he did leave. Lily stayed with him the whole time just a light shadow near him as he huddled in the back of the cubby house. Hunger plagued his stomach but fear kept him in place. It felt like people were moving all around him but every time that he looked, they would fade. Whispers of his relative's voices floated to him and he hugged his legs to his chest as he pressed his forehead into his knees.
"Please leave me alone," Harry sobbed.
Darkness fell once more but Harry didn't move. Wisp like forms floated around him but Lily was a solid form before him. His mother protecting him even in death. Silence descended once again and he was left alone in the darkness.
He must have fallen asleep for someone was shaking him awake. He opened his eyes to find cold black eyes staring at him. He pushed away from the man with a yell and tried to scramble further back into the wall behind him. His mother whispered comforting words in his ear as the man grabbed his arm. He was dragged from his hiding spot by the tall man while he tried to fight back.
"Calm down, Boy." The man commanded. "You're safe."
"It's okay, Harry." Lily whispered from beside him. "It's okay."
Harry slowly calmed down as he allowed himself to be pulled out of the cubby house.
"I found him," the man called out to an old man a few meters away in the tall grass.
Harry's large green eyes looked around at the oddly dressed people in confusion.
"They are wizards, Angel." Lily said from beside him, "remember I told you about them?"
Harry nodded as he was led toward an old man with a long white beard as the black-eyed man held his hand. Harry glazed up at the old man and tried to hide behind the man holding his hand. He didn't like the feeling of power rolling off him. Harry shivered as the man smiled down at him. Lily hugged Harry close, shielding him from the old man's magic while the black-eyed man shielded him physically. He felt rooted to the spot and he was sure that he looked a dirty mess as he glazed up. He didn't know what to do as he pushed himself into the tall man's leg.
"Hello Harry," Albus greeted with a smile. "My name is Albus Dumbledore and this is Severus Snape."
"Hello," Harry said in a small voice, hugging closer to Severus.
"Are you hurt, my boy?"
"N-no," Harry stuttered, his eyes darted to the side slightly.
"I am the Headmaster of the school your Mum and Dad attended," Albus told him. "We've been looking for you."
Harry nodded.
"We should do this later, Albus." Severus snapped as his eyes darted around.
"Yes, yes, of course." Albus agreed and pulled something from his pocket and held it out to Harry.
Harry shuffled further behind Severus and the tall man sighed in frustration. He grabbed the piece of rubbish and they disappeared. Harry gasped as he looked up at the iron gates and tightened his hand around Severus's. He took in the sight of the castle in the distance. Albus Dumbledore appeared beside them and gave Harry a smile.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Severus announced and tried to untangle his hand.
Harry held on tighter and he could see that Severus was getting angry but the connection was helping to ground him.
"Release me," Severus snapped and Harry let his hand go. "Follow me."
Harry looked over at his mother and she nodded in encouragement. Harry followed after the tall man.
"Severus was a friend of mine," Lily told him quietly. "We went to school together."
Harry hurried after Severus almost having to run to keep up with the tall man's strides. He stopped when he got to the bottom of the stairs leading up to the school. His eyes widened as he took in the misty forms of ghosts before him. He shivered as he looked at them unsure if they had died here or had come back here after their deaths. Just the sight of them froze him to the spot. He'd never seen so many before and they were looking right at him.
"Potter," Severus snapped, the only solid form before him. "Move!"
Harry shook his head and started to step back. He couldn't go in there. He could feel his mother placing a hand on his shoulder in support but he couldn't go in there. A real hand landing on his shoulder made him jump and he look up at Albus Dumbledore with wide eyes. All he could see was his power and that made him shake even more. Fear gripped his stomach as it felt like ice cold water ran down his back.
"It's okay, Baby." Lily encouraged from beside him.
"I can't," Harry whispered and tried to pull away from the old man.
"It's okay, Harry." Albus encouraged. "You're safe here."
"No!" Harry cried and tried to pull away but Albus grabbed his wrist.
He twisted and tried to pull away as he yelled and struggled. Albus tried to drag him forward as fear ran through him. Everything in him telling him to run as those dead eyes watched him.
"No!" Harry screamed as Albus pulled him up by the arm, strong for an old man. "I can't! No!"
He was no match for Albus as he was pulled closer to the steps. He struggled as much as he could but to no avail. Severus stepped forward and Harry focused on him with fear. Both men could easily drag him into that castle. Towards the misty forms that awaited him.
"Albus!" Severus snapped. "Let him go."
"If I let him go, he'll run." Albus countered as Harry struggled.
"Let him go," Severus repeated, his voice soft but deadly.
Albus released him and Harry scrambled back with wide eyes. He was never going into that castle. Severus stepped towards him and he looked up at him with large eyes before the man crouched down before him. He didn't try to touch him as Harry shook in fear. He huddled down as he felt warm tears on his face.
"Why don't you want to go into the castle?" Severus asked.
"Death," Harry replied as he looked over Severus's shoulder at the misty forms. "So much."
Severus frowned and looked at the castle before looking back at him. Harry had learned early that no one could see what he could. He'd also learned the consequences of sharing that knowledge.
"There is nothing in the castle that will hurt you," Albus said calmly from behind Severus.
Harry looked up at the castle and shook his head.
"I can't go in there," Harry sobbed.
Severus sighed and ran a hand over his head before looking at Albus.
"What do we do with him now?" Severus asked.
"Take him to Hogsmeade," Albus ordered. "Rent a room and we'll work something out tomorrow. We'll have to make sure that the Ministry doesn't get a hold of him."
"We can't hide him, Albus." Severus pointed out. "They will find out and come looking for him. An eight year old child falls under the Ministry of Magic if their guardians are killed and there is no next of kin or adoption pending."
"I am aware of that, Severus." Albus replied, mildly. "We'll talk of this tomorrow."
Severus sighed and held his hand out to Harry. The boy looked at him for a few long minutes before grasping his hand and Severus stood up. Harry shuffled closer to him before looking back at the castle and shivered at the forms waiting on the front steps. Severus pulled him away and he watched the ghosts for a while before looking up at the man beside him.
Severus glanced down at him briefly with dark eyes as they walked back down the path and Harry looked back at the gates. He didn't start to feel better until they passed through the open gates. Harry didn't ask any questions for he had learned his lessons at the hands of his Aunt and Uncle. He looked around the village as it came into view.
"Hogsmeade," Lily explained. "I didn't realise how many ghosts are at Hogwarts. I was hoping you would be safe and happy there."
Harry nodded slightly as Severus steered them towards a large building with smoke curling from the chimney. They walked into a busy tavern and Harry shifted close to Severus as he stalked over to the bar.
"Room for the night," Severus requested of the woman behind the bar. "Charge it to Hogwarts."
"Of course, Professor." The woman replied and pulled a key out from under the bar and placed it on the table. "Upstairs, room six."
"Thank you," Severus intoned. "Could you send up food? Whatever is on offer for two."
"Yes, sir."
Severus gave a nod and grabbed the key and they made their way up the stairs with Harry in tow. He walked down the hall to the room number on the key. He released Harry's hand and opened the door.
"In you go, Potter." Severus ordered and Harry stepped into the room and the man followed him. "The lounge is yours."
Harry looked around with a frown, there was a small table with a lounge in front of the fire, a double bed near the wall and a door to the side of the bed. Severus looked around before moving to the door and opening it. Harry leaned to the side to see a bathroom before Severus turned back to him. Harry planted his feet more firmly as the man looked him over.
"Roberta should be up with the food soon," Severus told him. "Why don't you have a shower?"
Severus pulled something out of his robes and a wand and tapped it. It was a backpack and the man held it out to him. Harry took it in his hand with uncertainty.
"There are clothes in there," Severus explained and looked him over. "They should fit better than those ones."
"Thank you," Harry said quietly then shifted.
"Shower," Severus ordered and pointed at the door.
Harry gave him a small smile and walked to the bathroom. He stepped into the room and closed the door until there was just a slight gap. His Uncle didn't allow him to close the door completely and he had to have a cold shower. He slowly stripped out of his dirty and torn clothes.
"Severus is a good man," Lily remarked as she stood with her back to him. "He did a lot for us in the war."
"Before you were killed?" Harry whispered.
"Yes, Angel." Lily replied with a smile. "He was a spy."
"Spy?"
"He helped gather information within Voldemort's ranks," Lily explained. "He is marked as a Death Eater."
Harry shivered as he stepped into the shower and turned the water on. He let the water wash over him and noticed how brown and dirty it was. He tried to remember how long it had been since the last time that he'd had a shower. He looked through the glass of the shower door at his mother standing there.
"How long since my last shower?" Harry asked softly, his mother would be able to hear him.
"A week and a bit," Lily replied and Harry could see the tension in her form. "Disgraceful animals."
Harry smiled at his mother, she had slipped a few swear words over the years about his relatives. Some words she refused to give him the meaning of as well. He finished washing and stepped out of the shower and towelled off. He knew he was very skinny and small for his age due to his mother telling him but he didn't know much better except that his cousin wasn't like him.
Harry dressed quickly and Lily turned around. She smiled at him and he looked at her fondly as she glided forward. She brushed a hand against his face.
"My little boy," Lily cooed. "You look dashing."
Harry smiled.
"Are you done, Potter?" Severus grumbled and Harry strolled to the door and pushed it open.
Severus looked up from the table and looked him over before waving his hand at the food. Harry approached the table and slipped into the chair. He looked at the food but didn't start eating as he waited for permission. Severus paused in eating and looked at him.
"Eat," Severus ordered. "They won't reheat it for you."
Harry started and looked at the plate, the whole lot was for him.
"Go on, Angel." Lily encouraged.
"Thank you," Harry whispered and started on the food.
He ate slowly and managed a third before he was full. He placed his knife and fork down beside his plate and waited for Severus to finished.
"You're not going to eat more?" Severus asked and looked him over. "You could use it."
"No, sir." Harry answered and looked at his mother.
Severus frowned and looked at where Lily was standing but Harry knew that no one but him could see the dead. He looked back at the table and Severus went back to eating.
"I don't know what Albus has planned for you," Severus admitted.
Harry knew that his family was dead. He'd heard their screams and they wouldn't be talking about his next of kin if his relatives were still alive. Harry also knew that he disturbed people as he looked down at his plate. He understood more than he should due to the fact that he could see and talk to the dead.
"Do you have any questions?" Severus asked after a few minutes of silence.
Harry tensed since he'd fallen into that trap before.
"No, sir." Harry said automatically and Severus raised an eyebrow.
"You don't want to know what happened to your relatives?" Severus pressed with a sneer.
"I know what happened to them," Harry replied, without looking at Severus.
"How much did you see?" Severus broached.
Harry looked over at his mother before he focused on Severus.
"Enough, sir." Harry answered.
Severus's dark eyes rested on him and Harry shifted slightly. Harry knew that his relatives would come to see him, in what way they would see him. He wasn't sure nor was he looking forward to it.
"That is not an answer, Mr Potter." Severus drawled and Harry shivered and glanced at his mother and she gave him a smile. "What do you keep looking at?"
"Nothing, sir." Harry replied automatically.
"I find that hard to believe, Potter." Severus snapped. "What do you keep looking at?"
Harry said nothing, he knew from bad experience that no one really wanted to hear the truth about what he saw or what he knew. Severus finished his meal and placed his knife and fork to the side and looked him over.
"You should get some sleep," Severus suggested.
"Yes, sir." Harry said and looked at the plates.
"I'll take care of them," Severus stated and Harry nodded.
Harry carefully walked over to the lounge and noticed the blanket before he curled up. It didn't take long for sleep to claim him.
xXx
Severus looked over at the lounge and couldn't hold back the shiver. There was something not right with the child, something that just didn't sit right with Severus. Those eyes seemed to see more than any eight year old child should and he was quiet. Children normally asked so many questions or just nattered. Harry was just silent unless you asked him something. It wasn't shyness or fear and he didn't show any signs of curiosity. His silence was almost eerie.
Looking at the child you wouldn't think his relatives had just been brutally murdered and that he'd been found over a day later, three blocks away from the house. Severus stood and looked down at the shaggy mess of hair and couldn't help but be reminded of James and yet when the boy looked at him all he could see was Lily. He wasn't sure which was worse. Seeing his tormenter or be tormented by the image of the woman that he'd loved and failed.