***Trigger warning: self harm***

Christmas Vacation passed, and summer vacation started looming ever nearer, Harry couldn't help but feel more and more anxious with every passing day. Over the past months, Remus had been visiting with him every Friday and coming to every quidditch game, George Wiley had assured Harry he was making good progress, Harry had confided more details of his abuse to his friends, and he'd healed enough to move back into Gryffindor tower but he still found reasons to meet with Severus regularly as he found himself enjoying his professor's company more than he previously would've imagined. All of that didn't stop the impending sense of doom he felt though as summer approached. Slowly, he'd started to eat less and less. Hermione was constantly badgering him about it. Severus had asked a few times if he needed a stomach soother or anything. He knew he should just bring it up to Healer Wiley, but he was scared. Scared they would force him to go back to the Dursleys. Scared the abuse would finally break him this summer. He was...terrified. Finally, Harry awoke from a nightmare one night and it was all too much.

Severus awoke to a knock on the door to his personal quarters. Quickly casting a tempus charm, he grew angry when he realized it was three o'clock in the bloody morning. Someone had better be dying or there would be hell to pay for whoever dared awaken him. All the anger evaporated when he opened the door to see a sobbing Harry at his door trembling.

"Potter, what's going on?" Severus asked as he pulled the boy into his quarters closing the door securely behind them.

"I-I'm sorry, professor. I just-it's-I can't..." Harry cried.

Severus moved to his personal potions cupboard and pulled out a calming potion which Harry drained as soon as Severus passed it to him. After a few moments, the potion took affect and Harry's sobs subsided. The boy then pulled up the sleeves of his robe and Severus pulled out his wand and set to healing the child's self inflicted wounds. Thankfully they weren't deep, but they were many. Once the child was healed, Severus sat in his chair across from where Harry was seated on the couch.

"Please tell what happened this evening," Severus requested in a voice that left no room for argument while still somehow being soft.

"I-I had a nightmare. I'm sorry, sir, I'm just so...so scared," Harry admitted vaguely.

"You don't have to apologize, Harry. But you should explain. You are doing very well. I was under the impression that you have been healing, and while this doesn't necessarily negate that, I need to know what you are scared of. Have you been faking your progress?"

"No, sir, well...maybe...I guess I haven't been completely honest the last couple weeks," Harry admitted.

"Please elaborate."

"I knew I should've told Healer Wiley I was scared, but...I didn't want to disappoint everyone," Harry mumbled.

"We'll come back to that in a moment. I assume you have been feeling anxious about something for the past several weeks?" Severus inquired.

Harry nodded. "Since Christmas break ended," Harry added.

"What are you feeling anxious about?" Severus asked.

"I-I can't go back to the Dursleys, sir," Harry answered quietly.

Severus wanted to kick himself. He should've known to communicate more with the boy. He should've seen that summer's approach what had the child so shaken. He'd messed up badly. Now, he could only deal with the repercussions. "Harry, I believe I told you at the start of term I would not allow you to be returned to their abuse," Severus said.

"Yes, sir," Harry answered blushing.

"I am sorry, Harry. I should've been communicating with you. That was my oversight. Headmaster Dumbledore and I have been actively working on a few other options for you this summer. We just haven't felt prepared enough to present them to you as of yet. That was our mistake. Even if we weren't fully prepared, we should've communicated so you knew we were working on it. You will not be returning to the Dursley's this summer. A few of the options Headmaster Dumbledore and I have come up with so far, are the possibility of you staying at Hogwarts. The wards here are strong, and we have come up with a few options of how to ensure adult supervision throughout the summer. Another option would be you staying with George and I at the cottage which is where I normally spend my summers. We've discussed Lupin taking guardianship of you, but because of his status, that is impossible at this point in time. We've discussed having the Weasley's take guardianship of you, but decided that would be to dangerous both for you and them. We've discussed having you stay with the Order of the Phoenix, which is a possibility although both the Headmaster and I believe this will inadvertently place an undue amount of stress on you. If you'd like, tomorrow the headmaster and I can go through your options more extensively, but I tell you this because I need you to see that you will not be returning to the Dursleys' abuse. Do you understand, Harry?" Severus asked.

"Yes, sir, sorry, sir," Harry answered visibly more relaxed.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Harry. I'm glad you came to me tonight. However, I would've preferred you spoke with me about your concerns when they started after Christmas break. Why didn't you?" Severus asked.

"I-I didn't want to disappoint everyone," Harry answered timidly.

"The same reason you didn't bring your anxieties up to George," Severus reflected. Harry nodded in the affirmative. "Can you explain how you thought that would disappoint people?"

"I-I suppose, I just felt like...since I had been doing so well...making so much progress...these anxieties, the memories...it feels like I'm back at square one, and I'm frustrated with myself," Harry answered honestly.

"So naturally, everyone else would be frustrated or disappointed in you," Severus reflected more to himself than anyone else, but the child still nodded in affirmation.

"Harry, remember what we talked about your first visit to the college this term? About how, your past is forever going to be your past, you'll forever have those memories and hurts, but healing and time allows them to be less frequent and intense?" Severus asked waiting for the child to nod that he remembered before continuing. "This is a very good example of that. You are not disappointing anyone but having a setback. Setbacks are normal, especially given how recent all of this is, how badly you were hurt, how long you had to endure it, how young you were. No one expects you to be magically healed right away and never experience setbacks ever again, and you shouldn't expect that of yourself either. I'd like you to tell George about this and talk with him more about it as well, but I need you to understand that you are not at square one. You've had a very understandable setback, but that does not negate all the work and healing you have accomplished. Do you understand?" Severus asked.

"I-I think so. Thank you, professor," Harry answered sincerely.

"I assume these anxieties are why you haven't been eating appropriately as of late?" Severus asked. Harry nodded in the affirmative so Severus inquired, "Have you been throwing up?" When Harry shook his head in the negative, Severus sighed in relief. "That is good. I trust you will be able to start eating appropriately tomorrow?" The child nodded that he would. "Good, do you feel you need any stomach soothers or nutrient potions?"

"I-I don't think so professor. I honestly have only lost a few pounds. I should be fine, thank you though."

"You are very welcome. It's late, you may sleep in your room here for the rest of the night."

"Y-you, my room is still here?" Harry asked in astonishment.

"Of course," Severus answered casually. "I trust you haven't forgotten where it is?" he asked with a smile. Harry smiled back and went to his room with one more thank you.

The very next afternoon, as soon as classes were finished for the day, Severus and Harry were in Dumbledore's office.

"So Harry, the most important thing is that you need a new guardian. Your guardian will be responsible for any medical decisions, your physical provision outside school, any legal permission, that type of thing. Both Professor Snape and Healer Wiley have expressed their willingness to fill that role. Remus expressed his desire, but unfortunately the wizarding world will not allow it because of his status as a werewolf. Both Madam Hooch and Pomfrey have expressed their willingness to become your legal guardian provided you stay at Hogwarts as neither of their private homes have the appropriate protections. Molly Weasely has expressed a desire to be your guardian but ultimately it was decided that would be too dangerous for everyone involved. Nymphadora Tonks is the last suitable option that is willing to assume your guardianship," Albus stated blatantly after lemon drops were offered and tea was served.

The child looked overwhelmed, so Severus clearly asked, "Harry, who would you prefer to be your legal guardian?"

Harry looked only at Severus as he answered, "You, sir."

Severus schooled his look of shock as he nodded and allowed a slight smile to encourage the child.

Albus clapped his hands as he continued, "Wonderful! That is very helpful indeed! That leaves you with two more options, Harry. We have decided you may spend the summer here at Hogwarts with appropriate adult supervision and certain boundaries if that's more desirable, but Severus and George Wiley have also offered up their cottage if that would please you. It is appropriately warded and few people even know of it's existence, plus with two capable wizards it is quite safe for you," Dumbledore explained.

"I like the cottage, sir," Harry said. Severus nodded and smiled again.

"Wonderful! That was quite easy! I'll have the papers drawn up and we should have this all sorted out in the next week or two," Albus proclaimed.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry and Severus said in unison.

"Certainly, my boys, certainly. Enjoy the rest of your days," the elderly man said with a smile.

As they left the office, Harry whispered. "Thank you, professor. Thank you for saving me."

"You're very welcome, Harry. I'm excited to spend this summer with you. We'll talk more about the summer in the future. I'm sure you'll be excited to show Lupin and your friends your new home. And I'm certain George will want to plan numerous beach days and picnics, and I would plan on learning how to surf if I were you," Severus said with a smile he'd never before let show in the halls of Hogwarts.

Harry smiled too having not felt so happy in a very long time.