AN: This was supposed to be my turn to write a chapter, but because of the new school semester starting, I couldn't do it. Percyjacksonfan135 did it instead. I did edit it though. We hope you all enjoy the new chapter! Thank you, percyjacksonfan135 for doing this for me! Now on with the chapter.
Chapter 4:
Previously:
"You have to tell me what's going on with you," Zacharias told the fourteen-year-old, "As one of the school prefects I need to know the truth."
In the present:
Harry was frightened of course; he never thought anyone, much less the cranky Hufflepuff would believe him. However, almost against his own will, the younger teenager's mouth opened and he spilled his guts to the older boy.
"It all started after my mum and dad got killed by You-Know-Who. I still see that green light in my dreams every single night and I hear him laughing a high, cold, cruel laugh. That's what I hear every time a Dementor comes close to me. I hear my mum screaming for her life; begging Voldemort to spare my life and to take her instead. Then, Professor Dumbledore left me on the doorstep of my relatives' house in Surrey. It was my aunt who found me the next morning. She of course screamed when she saw me on the doorstep and although she took me in, neither she nor my uncle or cousin treat me right or love me the way they should. I don't know why I have to go back every summer, but the headmaster said that it was for my own safety. Yeah, like I'm safe there at all. Dudley punches me and my uncle beats me whenever he can. I can't tell you how many concussions I had over the years I've lived with them, but I've had a lot of them. I really shouldn't be playing Quidditch because of these reasons, but the nurse is starting to know me quite well because of my frequent days in the hospital wing. That overbearing, interfering, hag has been making me write with my own blood for the past month and…"
Zacharias listened patiently to everything that the younger boy was telling him and he nodded his head a few times to show Harry that he was listening to every word. However, when it came to the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher using unusual punishment, Zacharias suddenly leaned forward, snatching Harry's right hand, turning it over to look at it. When he saw the reddened skin and the faint outline of the words, "I must not tell lies" etched on the younger boy's hand, the blonde Hufflepuff was more than a little shocked and he was extremely angry. Of course he wasn't angry with Harry, how could he be? How on earth had he not seen it before? In a deadly calm voice Zacharias asked, "Potter, I mean Harry, how long has she been doing this to you? Tell me the truth!"
Zacharias hadn't meant to frighten the younger child, but apparently he had because he saw him shrinking against the wall again. "Hey, hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. Please answer me. Did that Ministry woman make you write those lines in your own blood?"
Harry nodded his head, but then it all became too much and he started to cry silently. He also continued his story.
"As I was saying, my aunt and my uncle and cousin, they don't love me as they should. I'm treated worse than a house elf and I barely get anything to eat. Two summers ago, my uncle Vernon's sister Marge came to visit and I accidentally blew her up like a balloon. I didn't mean to, but I was so angry that my magic reacted that way. When I was much younger, my aunt and uncle would punish me for using my nappy. They didn't like it, yet, Dudley was not potty trained until he was three. I sort of remember being a little jealous of how much attention he got and I wasn't allowed to use them even though my muscle control in that area was very weak at that time. They forced me to train early because they wanted me to cook for them and they didn't want my waist stinking up there kitchen but sometimes there was nothing I could do. I just wanted so badly for someone to love and care for me…"
As the younger boy was talking, Zacharias had a look of sudden understanding and realization on his face, "Is that why you act as though you are between the ages of six months to two years old sometimes?" He asked gently, "If that is indeed the case, I can certainly understand that. Sounds like you have been through a lot and it doesn't matter. Your secret is safe with me. I'm not going to judge you for something you need to do. If you want to do this alone I would more than understand. But just know and understand this. I may act like a prat at times, but please understand that I don't mean anything by it. It is my own way of protecting those who I care about."
Harry was looking more than hopeful. Zacharias offered to allow the younger boy his privacy whenever he wanted or needed to be little, and he felt immensely grateful for it. But the truth was hard to admit at first until the blonde Hufflepuff gently poked him in the head and told him to spit out what was on his mind.
"I… I… I kind of want you to… To be my daddy," Harry said hesitantly and awkwardly.
