***Author Note: Thank you to readers who comment on my stories. It was thanks to a respectful, kind review that I got the inspiration for this chapter and am very excited to be able to develop this particular relationship and see how it unfolds.***

After Healer Wiley left, Severus watched the young child who looked exhausted pull out his homework and sit at the kitchen table. Finally he sat and asked, "Harry, I'd like to ask your opinion on something?"

The child looked up at him, but did not respond so Severus continued, "Have you had any correspondence with Lupin recently?"

Harry shook his head and his gaze fell to the floor in front of him.

"When was the last time you had correspondence with him?" Severus asked.

"Sometime before Sirius died," Harry answered quietly.

"Did you enjoy your correspondence?"

"Yes, Remus is great."

"Would you be willing to tell me why you haven't continued your correspondence?"

"I-I can't face him since Sirius died," Harry confessed softly.

"Do you think Lupin blames you for what happened?" Harry's almost imperceptible nod was the only answer given.

"What makes you think that?"

"How could he not blame me? It was my fault," Harry whispered.

"It was not your fault, Harry! And I'd bet money Lupin would do tell you the same thing," Severus insisted. When Harry remained silent, Severus continued. "How would you feel about me contacting Lupin about recent events?"

"Wh-what would you say?" Harry asked after a long silence.

"If you are agreeable, I would inform him that you assume he believes you caused Black's death so that he understands the situation. I'd also like to inform him of the abuse you've endured, and how Albus and I are working on making other arrangements for you this summer," Severus explained honestly.

"Y-you'd write to him I presume?" Harry asked.

"Only if you are agreeable, I only ask because I believe it would be good for you to have many people around you for support and I believe Lupin could be an adequate place to start," Severus promised.

"W-would I be able to read the letter and make changes before you send it?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Severus answered.

"I-I suppose that would be alright then."

It was the next afternoon when Severus had the letter drafted. "Mr. Potter would you like to read the letter I've drafted for Lupin?" Severus asked as Harry sat down for his afternoon snack.

"Yes, please, sir," Harry answered. Severus passed over the letter.

Mr. Lupin,
With Mr. Potter's permission and approval I am sending you this letter to inform you of recent occurrences. As you are most likely aware, Mr. Black gained custody of Mr. Potter after considerable abuse by the Dursleys. Since Black's death, Potter has been placing considerable undo guilt on his own shoulders and has come to believe that you also believe he's the cause of Black's death. I have assured him that is not true and although I do not believe I have persuaded him, he has allowed me to draft this letter. After Black's death, Potter was returned to the Dursley's abuse. Rest assured, I will not allow him to be returned there again. Headmaster Dumbledore and I are currently in the process of making other arrangements. Potter is willingly staying in my quarters so that I may more easily oversee his recovery and he is resuming sessions with a mind healer. I'm writing to you because I believe it is prudent for Potter to have a strong support system around him moving forward and believe you to be a suitable place to begin. Please write me back directly if you wish to make arrangements to visit or correspond with Mr. Potter.
S.S.

"Do you think it would be okay to not mention me reading the letter?" Harry asked after reading the letter.

"Certainly, I'll remove that," Severus answered making a note for himself. "Would you like me to remove both the original statement, and the later statement about you allowing me to draft the letter?"

"If that's okay, sir," Harry answered.

"Certainly. Are there any other changes you'd like me to make?" Severus asked patiently.

"Umm...it's just...the last sentence kinda makes it sound like I don't want him to contact me personally," Harry confessed.

"I can understand how it looks like that. What if instead I write, 'Please write me back personally to arrange any future visits with Mr. Potter'?" Severus proposed.

"That sounds good, thank you," Harry answered.

"Certainly, I'll let you read it once I make the changes before I send it," Severus said as he took the letter back and headed to his office. With Harry's approval, Severus sent the letter by owl only an few minutes later. The next morning both Severus and Harry had letter waiting for them.

Dear cub,
Professor Snape wrote to me yesterday. I should have written to you over the summer. I am so sorry, cub. I love you so much and I never want you to blame yourself for what happened to Sirius. You were not responsible and I have not, do not, will not ever blame you. I love you like your my own son, cub. My heart broke when I heard about the abuse you'd endured before Sirius took you in. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to return there. I am so sorry for not being there for you. I will do better in the future, cub, I promise. I love you! Never forget it. I'll be corresponding with you regularly and I'll talk with Professor Snape about a time when I might be able to visit you. Never forget I love you.
Mooney

Harry teared up as he read his letter and was thankful Severus was too engrossed in his own letter to notice Harry's emotions.

Severus,
Thank you so much for writing to me, and thank you even more for everything you've done for Harry. I've written Harry as well and hopefully with everyone telling him he's not at fault he will be able to move past this tragedy. I don't know that I want to know, but I would appreciate it if you would send me an account of the injuries Harry has sustained from this summer. Are charges being pressed against the Dursleys this time? I know I will most likely be unable to take custody of Harry myself because of my fury little problem, but I would appreciate it immensely if someone could keep me apprised of Harry's custody situation. I would love to be able to see Harry. I am available almost anytime if you would just let me know if Harry is willing to see me and when. Thank you again for everything you have done and are doing for Harry.
R.L.

Severus looked up at the child sitting across from him. "Lupin would like to visit you. Would you like to meet with him?" Severus asked.

"I-I think I would like to see him," Harry answered.

"What day would you like to see him?" Severus asked next.

"Umm...maybe if Friday might work...after classes?" Harry asked.

"I will write and ask him. Would you like to meet with him here?" Severus asked.

"I-if that's okay with you, sir. I-I know he wasn't very nice to you when you were growing up?" Harry answered.

"Harry, if you would be most comfortable seeing Lupin here, he is more than welcome. It is no longer your job to protect adults, understood?" Severus asked firmly.

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," Harry answered blushing slightly.

Severus was thankful Harry was staring intently at the food he was pushing around his plate so that the child didn't notice the small smile appear on the grouchy potion master's always angry face.

When Harry returned to Severus's quarters that evening, Severus held a response from Lupin.

"Harry, Lupin is pleased to report he can plan on meeting you here Friday afternoon after classes if you are still feeling up to it," Severus informed the child amicably.

The boy actual sighed in relief as a smile graced his face. "Thank you, Professor Snape...for everything you are doing for me."

"You are very welcome, Mr. Potter. Now, do you need any help with your homework?" Severus offered casually.

That Friday, Harry was giddy with nervousness and excitement as he rushed to the quarters he shared with Severus. There stood the last marauder. Lupin tried to restrain himself so as to not frighten the abused child, but when he saw Harry break into a grin at his presence, Lupin's resolve crumbled as he rushed to his best friend's son and pulled him into a comforting embrace.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so so sorry. I love you so so much! I'm sorry I didn't protect you! I'm so sorry you were hurt!" Lupin said as he started crying into the tiny shoulder of the still malnourished child.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, Mooney. I love you too. I'm so sorry I killed him. I'm so sorry he's gone," Harry whimpered.

"You did not kill him, Harry! You are not the reason Sirius died. I miss him too, cub, but it is not your fault, and Sirius would not want you beating yourself up about it. Do you understand me?" Lupin said his voice leaving no room for discussion. That's all it took for the child in his arms to start shaking with silent sobs. Lupin kept his arms around the child in a comforting embrace as he moved them to sit on the couch. Harry just shook with silent sobs until he fell asleep a little over an hour later. That's when Severus came out of his lab and sat in the chair across from where Harry was sleeping in Lupin's arms.

"Severus, I'm worried about him," Lupin admitted his voice cracking with emotion.

"I know. He's getting the help he needs though. He's a strong kid. He still needs a lot of people around him who won't let him forget that they love him though," Severus said sullenly.

"I would like to see him regularly," Remus said adamantly.

"I'm sure that would be very helpful, but we need to broaden that support system for him. I'm not against Ms. Granger, and as much as I hate to admit it the twin Weasley boys might be good for Potter as well," Severus proposed.

"I think they would be good for Harry. I can talk to them and the parents as well," Lupin offered.

"Yes, but we need to run it by Potter first. The most important thing right now is that he learns he can trust adults. We have to give him an amount of control over his own life. I doubt he'll take kindly to our making decisions for him without consulting him first," Severus explained.

"I understand what you're saying, but what will we do if he tells us not to talk to them?" Lupin asked.

"Then we won't. Potter's experience with adults have primarily been them not giving any sort of consideration for his wellbeing. He doesn't trust adults, which is clear by all the dangerous situations which he's put himself in by not going to an authority figure. I refuse to continue being another reason for Potter to not trust adults," Severus answered.

Lupin reflected on what Severus had said for a long moment. "Thank you for everything you are doing for him. You really know how to help him best and I can't thank you enough," Remus answered.

"You're welcome. I'll discuss your talking to the Weasleys when Harry wakes up and write you his response. I'll also write you what his thoughts are about potentially setting up regular meetings between the two of you. Is that agreeable to you?" Severus asked.

"Yes, I'd appreciate that," Lupin answered as he carefully untangled himself from the child lying him on the couch and covering him with a blanket before shaking hands with Severus and making his way to the floo.