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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and/or any associated characters.

If you didn't know any better you'd have thought Tom glued to the spot. For the past week, he'd kept constant vigil, only moving from Harry's side when absolutely necessary and never gone for longer than a few minutes. Over the course of the week, he made a few trips into Harry's mind, sifting through the years of abuse suffered by the raven-haired teen.

There had been little improvement in Harry's mental state, and Tom could only imagine the journey ahead of them. The teen's physical injuries had healed considerably well that all the dressings were removed. As much as Harry appeared fine in that calm state but he knew things could change very quickly. The teen had spent the majority of the week asleep, or in a trance like state.

Much to Tom's shock Harry began to stir and open his emerald orbs. For a few moments Harry's eyes swiveled about the room before realising he wasn't alone. The blurred outline of a robed figure at the edge of the bed swam into Harry's blurred vision. The man seemed very close. Too close for Harry to be comfortable with. He did his best to try focus on the figure to clear his vision but with no success.

Slowly fragmented memories swam back into his mind 'Tom Riddle', 'Riddle Manor'. Perhaps that was where he was and who the figure was or was it all merely dreamt. It was too hard to tell, but something told him it wasn't a dream.

Placing a hand on either side of him, Harry gingerly pushed himself up on very weak arms. He didn't get very far when the room began to spin and he felt strong arms encase him as Tom lifted the still underweight teen onto his lap. Harry had gained a small amount of weight since he'd arrived at the Manor but not enough for a typical boy of his age.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Tom soothed trying not to but the teen under any undue stress. Automatically Harry tensed and went to give a verbal response, only to have no audible sound come from his mouth. Realising his voice had failed him he nodded hoping it'd be enough to spare him a beating. He knew it was a feeble wish, but still one nonetheless. 'Maybe this time would be different and he'd be spared.

Looking up at the man holding him, his vision clearer, he realised who he was. Voldemort. The Dark Lord.

Tom, noticing the boys' expression, gauged his unasked question and spoke. "As you may have noticed, I am Voldemort but things have changed since I last met you and I am not going to kill you now. You will live here in my manor and I'm going to look after you. I promise." Harry pondered over these words, promises in his experience were rarely kept but still, he hoped this would be different. He knew it was stupid considering this very man had killed his parents but perhaps he had changed?

Noticing Harry's slight change in demeanour and relaxing a little, he asked, "You must be hungry, would you like some soup, dear?" Harry looked at Tom warily for a few moments looking for any sign it was a trick. He'd been tricked many times in the past and wasn't going to give anybody the satisfaction of it again, especially the Dark Lord. Deciding it wasn't, he quickly nodded." Yes sir." He added as an afterthought, despite the fact his voice was weak and barely audible but still Tom heard it.

It was probable he'd just taken Harry in to help him with some plan of his then dispose of his body when he was bored of it like he had done in the past. Harry was determined not to quicken up this in any way if he could. He knew of a few things to try lengthen it - he'd be quiet, obedient and grateful for anything, no matter what. Not that he had much choice because if he wasn't he was sure he'd be locked in a dungeon starving for the rest of his life. He knew better than to push Tom's temper, knowing what little mercy he possessed. Having survived his first encounter with Tom he knew he wouldn't be so lucky this time around. Luck, ultimately, didn't come for him very often.

Tom summoned a house elf and when he arrived ordered a chicken soup for Harry along with a drink for both of them. A few seconds later the house elf returned, balancing a tray on which rested the soup, a glass of water and a mug of tea.

Tom passed the soup to Harry which he took in his shaky hands, barely managing to not drop it with it clattering onto the small table in front of him.

Bringing his gaze back to Harry a few minutes later he was met with a pitiful sight. Harry was struggling to hold the spoonful of soup and when he did so it shook for a few moments before crashing into the bowl. Tom watched him attempt a few times until he couldn't beat it any longer and he did something very uncharacteristic of him; he picked up a spoonful of soup and brought it towards Harry's mouth.

"It's alright, Harry, don't worry I'll feed you."
Tom soothed as he was met with wife orbs of shock and fear. After doing his best to reassure the teen Harry opened his mouth just enough to get the spoon in. With this Tom let a slight smile twist his features.
Tom placed the spoonful in Harry's mouth who, seemingly obediently, sucked the contents before another was given.

After Harry had eaten just over half the bowl he groaned, unable to eat anymore but he knew he should, for he'd probably be left to starve like he'd always been. Afraid to tell Tom he was full, he came up with a different plan. As more spoonfuls were given, he stuffed the chicken and vegetables to the side of his mouth until his mouth was stuffed. He knew there wasn't much point as Tom would notice but still he tried it.

"Harry dear, you can swallow the soup." Tom informed the teen upon noticing the size of his mouth.

Harry stared up at Tom getting gradually paler until he looked the epitome of a ghost. Silently Tom cast a spell getting rid of the food before the teen choked. Taking a deep breath and swallowing Harry covered his head with his hands, curling up in the fetal position.

"It's ok Harry. You don't have to eat anymore if you're full." Noticing the questioning look on his face he added "you will still get food tomorrow, no matter what." With what looked like an acceptance of some sort, Tom had the house-elf collect the platter.

Meanwhile, Severus crouched behind the slightly ajar door, yet again, not knowing what to think. He'd always considered Harry a pampered prince but what he had seen over the past week proved otherwise. After healing all of Harry's injuries it was clear he didn't live the pampered life he thought he had. Lily, his childhood best friend, would never have wanted Harry to experience any of what he had. Dumbledore ultimately had failed Harry in every possible way.

He had a childhood similar to Harry's but yet never noticed anything. He himself had dealt with abuse at the hands of his own father with Hogwarts being the only place he called home. Mentally he cursed himself, he should have been the one to notice something wasn't right. At the same time he was blinded by his hatred for James Potter so only saw Harry as a miniature version of his father. Lily's wish for her only son was not carried out, one which most certainly should have been different. Harry's life could from here on in, hopefully, be somewhat like what she had hoped, Severus thought.

After mulling everything over for a few minutes, thoughts whirled around his mind. Thoughts he'd never had and also didn't know how to go about carrying out. The bigger question was would it be possible even if he tried.

Silently he entered the room coming to a stop by the wall opposite Harry's bed. Almost instantly Harry looked towards him and they stared at each other for what seemed like eternity.

"Hello Harry." Severus offered lamely.

That's it for now. I have part of the next chapter written but not sure when it'll be up. I've too many ideas for all different chapters so I need to sort them out. Looking forward to any reviews.