Hogwarts' Farewell Feast had ended very late the evening before, but Harry had already been packed and was ready to go. So when morning came and he and Severus sat down to breakfast the child looked nervously at his guardian.

"Professor?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yes?" Severus responded calmly.

"Would it be okay if I take an hour to say farewell to my friends before we leave?" Harry asked distracting himself with pushing his food around the plate.

"Certainly, you may take as much time as you need. We have no reason to hurry," Severus answered calmly.

"Thank you, sir."

It was only a few minutes later that Harry was with his friends saying goodbye to everyone. Hermione thought it was hilarious that he would be spending the summers with Severus while Ron thought it was the most horrific news since Voldemort returned. Neville and Luna were both thrilled to hear that Harry was happy about the development. Fred, George, and Ginny were all relieved Harry would be safe and taken care of. When Harry had said all his goodbyes, he made his way back to Severus's quarters where the potions master was waiting.

"Did everything go alright?" Severus asked.

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

"Good, I took the liberty of flooing your trunk and Hedwig to the cottage already, but you might want to do a once over to make sure we have everything before we go," Severus informed his ward.

"Thank you, sir, but there's no need. Everything was in the trunk. Thank you for thinking of that though," Harry answered.

"Very well, you will go through first. George is already at the cabin," Severus said.

Harry was thrilled when he arrived at the homey cabin that felt so safe and saw the mind healer who was so wonderful with him. When Severus arrived, Harry felt his heart jump a bit thinking that he had a new family. The day was very relaxing and soon everyone was asleep.

Thankfully, Harry didn't wake up screaming from his nightmare, but a nightmare did awaken him just before dawn the next morning. Harry took a few moments to breath and collect himself before he really started to think about everything. The Dursley's always expected meals to be ready for them, for chores to be done, and while Sirius had never expected such things Harry had still taken care of everything without his actions ever being mentioned. Harry wondered for a moment if Severus would have any different expectations, but he figured it was in his best interest to go about as normal for today. He could ask for clarification later if necessary. Quietly making his way to the kitchen, Harry started pulling out everything he needed. Soon, pancakes were staying warm in the oven, bacon was cooling on a plate layered with paper towel, eggs were scrambled and waiting to be cooked. The sun was just barely fully visible over the lake when Harry finished deep cleaning the entire kitchen when he started hearing movement from the other rooms upstairs. He cooked the eggs, plated everything, finished the few extra dishes, and was just pulling out juice and milk when George entered the kitchen with Severus close behind him.

"Good morning, Harry, how did you sleep?" George asked pleasantly.

"Very well, thank you. How did you sleep, sir?" Harry answered.

"I slept excellently, thank you," George answered.

Severus, however, was glaring at the child. George noticed and quickly intervened, "Oh come now, Severus, why the long face? You sleep poorly or something?"

Severus quickly schooled his expression before speaking, "Harry, have you made breakfast and cleaned the kitchen?"

Harry blushed and took a step backward from where he stood at the tone before stammering, "Y-yes, sir, I-I didn't kn-know what you like, so...I-I hope this is alright for today. I-I promise I put everything back where it was while I was cl-cleaning. I'm sorry, sir."

Severus just shook his head before asking, "Why?"

"I-I'm sorry, s-sir," Harry whispered.

George jumped in here unable to watch his son unknowingly terrify this child any longer. "Harry, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about and even less to be frightened of. Severus, get your professor expression off your face and sit down. We can talk more while we enjoy this delicious looking breakfast."

Severus's expression changes to one of shock at his father's words, but he schooled the expression into a pleasant one and sat down next to his father. Harry hesitantly sat across from his guardian. George took the liberty of moving food onto everyone's plates and they all dug in.

"Harry, this is delicious!" George exclaimed. Severus nodded his agreement.

Harry blushed as he whispered, "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it."

Severus cleared his throat, took a sip of orange juice, and then spoke, "Harry, I want you to understand that you are not required to cook or clean for us here?"

Harry looked up at his guardian with shock clear on his face.

Seeing the child's confusion, Severus continued, "Harry, I am your legal guardian. It is my job and my pleasure to care and provide for you. Not the other way around. I do not expect you to cook. I expect you to keep your room clean and organized and to help keep our home tidy, but you will not be expected to deep clean the home. I understand you have been hurt greatly, but I hope you can enjoy a bit of childhood while under my guardianship. You will be expected to be respectful, to obey George and I, and to not put yourself in harms way. Do you understand?"

"I-yes, sir," Harry answered hesitantly.

"Harry, do you have any questions?" George asked wanting to allow Severus freedom to be the guardian, but unable to let go of the sense that something was troubling the child. Harry spared a skeptical glance at Severus before dropping his gaze and shaking him head in the negative.

"Harry, if you have any questions at all, you are more than welcome to ask them. Questions are a good thing, especially when they allow clarification to be established," Severus pressed gently.

"H-how will I earn my keep, sir?" Harry whispered.

"You will not, Harry. There's no reason for you to earn your keep. I am your guardian and therefore it is my pleasure to give you everything necessary to keep you safe, healthy, and happy without you repaying me for any of it," Severus answered.

"A-Are you sure? I-I can pay you?" Harry argued.

"You will do no such thing. I am absolutely certain there is no reason for you to repay me. I am only providing you with what you should have been provided from the start. I am only sad that I did not give you this help sooner," Severus answered without hesitation.

"Th-thank you, sir," Harry whispered.

"Harry, we are not at school, there is no reason for you to address me as sir. You may call me Severus if you feel comfortable with it. You may call me Mr. Snape if you are more comfortable with the formality, but you don't need me to call me sir. Same goes for George. I'm sure he'll tell you he likes to be called George, but Mr. Wiley is more acceptable if you are more comfortable with the formality," Severus informed the child between bites of food.

"Thank you, S-Mr. Severus," Harry said calmly. Severus smiled at the mix of formality with his full name, but didn't say anything.

George and Severus were both almost done with their food before George noticed Harry hadn't taken a single bite yet. "Harry, is something wrong with your food?" George asked gently. Severus perked up at the question and noticed what his dad was seeing. Harry just shook his head in the negative without raising his eyes from the plate in front of him or making a move to lift any food to his mouth.

"Harry, is something worrying you?" Severus asked. Shocked green eyes flickered up to meet Severus's for just a moment before returning to the plate. "Please tell me what's concerning you, Harry," Severus asked gently.

"Wh-what will happen if-if I break the rules?" Harry asked in a barely audible voice.

"The punishment will fit the crime," Severus answered calmly. Harry nodded, but didn't otherwise react.

George reached out to put his hand over the child's trembling on. Harry flinched at the contact, but didn't pull away. "Harry, look at me please," George asked. When the child met the healer's gaze, George continued, "You will not be hurt like you were at your relatives. I promise." Harry visibly relaxed at that and was able to finish half his plate before becoming too full. When he started to clear the table, the adults stopped him and he was informed they would take care of it with magic and that he should enjoy himself.

Harry moved to the outdoors. He was always most comfortable there. He spent the morning building an intricate village of sand, wading into the ocean, exploring the sand dunes, investigating beautiful seashells he would occasionally stumble across, and giggling at the actions of sweet wildlife that seemed drawn to him-a bunny even let the child pet it before leaping off his chest and hopping away leaving Harry in a fit of giggles. Before long, Harry heard someone calling his name and he quickly ran to the house where sandwiches, fruit, and popsicles waited as his lunch.

"Harry, this afternoon I have some work I have to do in my personal lab. I will be available if you need me, but please knock first. George has some patients he has to go see this afternoon, and since there's no adult readily available you'll have to stay inside this afternoon. It's too dangerous for you to be outside if there's no one able to check in on you easily. Understood?" Severus asked as they finished lunch.

"Yes, s-Mr. Severus," Harry answered.

For a bit, Harry wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. Severus had told him he wasn't expected to clean the house, but he didn't know what else to do. In two hours, the living room, library, hallways, stairs, and bathrooms were deep cleaned. His own room was in no need of cleaning, and he didn't dare enter the private quarters of Severus or George, so he was back at having no idea how to proceed. Deciding to get started on his homework, Harry took his books, parchment, and ink to the library and set to work.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Severus asked. He'd apparently startled the child as ink spilled all over the parchment. Harry jumped to his feet horrified at the mess he'd made. He quickly started stuttering, and dabbing at the spilled ink with his shirt.

"I-I'm so sorry, sir. I'll clean it up. I-I didn't mean to m-make a mess. I-I'm so sorry," Harry stammered repeatedly.

Severus pulled his wand out subconsciously as he moved toward the hysterical child shaking as he tried to clean up the ink.

Harry flinched backward and put his arms up to guard his face. Severus stilled completely.

"Harry," Severus said his voice instantly gentler than it had ever been before. "Harry, please look at me," Severus asked. The boys tear filled eyes met his guardian's as his arms slowly moved from in front of his face to curling around his stomach. "Harry, I will never beat you. I promise. I will never hurt you," Severus promised. "I'm only going to cast a spell that will return the ink to it's container. I only want to clean up the mess. I will not hurt you. This is not your fault. If it's anyone's fault it's mine for startling you. You will not be punished for this. I will not hurt you." When the child calmed, Severus spelled the ink away and slowly, carefully moved until he was standing right in front of the child. Very gently, he wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder and guided him to the couch. "Harry, can you tell me what happened?" Severus asked quietly after a long moment of silence.

"I-I've been working on m-my homework," Harry answered.

When the child didn't continue, Severus pressed him a little more, "I'm proud of you for getting an early start on it. Would you explain how you were feeling when I startled you?"

"I-I'm sorry, sir," Harry whispered in reply.

"Oh, Harry, you have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing at all. I am in no way mad or upset with you. I just want to understand what happened so that I know how to best help you," Severus clarified gently.

There was an extended period of silence as the child collected himself before Harry took a deep breath and explained, "I've been studying for-since 2 pm. It's been really quiet, v-very nice. Umm, I noises just startle me sometimes... so when you s-spoke I jumped without anything really going through my head."

"That's totally normal, Harry. Those reactions should start to fade over time, but it's nothing out of the ordinary. I'll try my hardest not to startle you," Severus assured when Harry stayed silent taking deep breaths.

After he'd calmed a bit, Harry continued, "Wh-when I saw the ink had spilled, I felt really sick. I wasted your supplies. I ruined your desk. I-I panicked. I'm so sorry. I-there was a time when Dudley attacked me. He went to tackle me a-and I landed on a table they had next to the couch. It shattered. Uncle Vernon...he was pissed. I-I'm sorry, sir, but I thought you would be p-pissed like he had been. Th-that's when I started to try to clean it up. Th-then you had your wand and took a step toward m-me. I-I'm sorry, but the-the wand. I saw Voldemort, but in the living room that-that day with Uncle Vernon. That day Uncle Vernon had back handed me, kicked m-me in the stomach while he took o-off his belt. He started beating me with his b-belt until I passed out and when I woke u-up there was glass shattered all around me and I had glass stuck in my skin. S-so when you moved t-toward me, I saw Voldemort and the room...it kinda morphed into my Aunt and Uncle's house looking exactly like it had th-that day. He d-did all those things only h-he also sent the cruciatus like at the graveyard."

"The graveyard?" Severus questioned when tears fell down the child's face and he seemed unable to continue.

"Th-the day of the tournament...with Cedric. It all sounded, and felt, and seemed so real. But then you-I heard my name. Uncle Vernon never used my name, a-and Voldemort usually calls me Harry Potter. I don't think I've ever been called just H-Harry by anyone other than my friends. I thought it was weird a-and the you asked me to look at you. My uncle never allowed me to look at him, a-and I recognized your voice although I-I don't think I could've put a name to the voice just then. When y-you started making those promises, I felt like you were lying to me. I felt like I wanted to cry. I-I wanted someone to hold me. I wanted to be safe. Th-then you put your arm around me. I-it felt so safe, sir," Harry tried to explain.

Severus wrapped the child in a hug...full hug this time. "I'm so sorry, Harry. You never should have endured that. You must understand that you didn't waste my supplies and even if you did no adult should be upset about an accident. You also did not ruin my desk, but again, even if you had ruined my desk, even if you had ruined my desk intentionally, I would not harm you in any way. You mean much more to me than any measly possession. I will never hurt you, and I am very sad that you've been hurt so badly. I wasn't lying when I promised to never hurt you. I am a man of my word. I will not ever abuse you. If you need to cry, if you ever want me to hold you, I'd be happy to oblige-just don't tell my Slytherins," Severus threatened with a soft smile. "You deserve to feel safe and I will do anything I can to help you feel safe."