This story is the product of my own mind (muddled though it may be). The characters are, sadly, not mine. They belong to J. K. Rowling. I just play with them, and bend them to my will occasionally. Occasionally they see fit to take over the story, and then I am at the mercy of their will. Warning: Child Abuse.

A Promise Fulfilled

By: Mikee

Part 5

Severus' POV

My discussion with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley went well I think. After a somewhat rocky start, once they realized I wasn't going to make them a part of some new and sinister potion, they settled down to listen… to the meaning behind my words. At first they were distrustful of me, and I can't say I blame them. The towering, snarling, formidable, Potions Master image is diametrically opposed to the seated, slightly worried man facing the two children for our talk, and I know they were suspicious of the picture presented to them.

I took great pains to try to impress upon them the necessity for my actions and words, and that they now must join the charade. They must remember to cower when I assume my role as "Most Feared and Hated Potions Master," and warned them in no uncertain terms, my best scowl firmly in place, that they must not betray Harry. They must not let on that I am anything other than the monstrous child-hating… well, they got the message.

It appears they do understand the gravity of the situation, and they seem more than willing to help Harry deal with whatever I may say to him as I continue to play the part of the bastardly Slytherin who just happens to also be a Death Eater (former though it may be).

They understand Harry's life depends on this charade (I didn't add that my life depends upon it as well), and I think they realize I do have the boy's best interest at heart. Their Gryffindor loyalty and pride will serve them well. In concluding our little meeting I did take note that both Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley seemed to derive some measure of enjoyment from the conspiratorial tone of our gathering, of this new life to which they had just become a part. I wonder if that enjoyment will endure as they realized this "game" may just last… the full seven years they are here.

Severus' POV

Harry was released from the Hospital Wing Saturday morning, and I had Professor Lupin bring him to my chambers for our talk. How that boy has been hurt! He is a living study in terror, quiet, barely controlled, terror. Professor Lupin followed Harry through the portrait hole. The emotions flashing in Harry's eyes, fear, hate, sorrow, vulnerability. I thought he would take flight when he saw me, but brave little Gryffindor that he is, he managed to stand his ground, his body vibrating with rushing adrenalin as he fought to remain upright.

"I'm sorry, professor. I don't know what I did wrong, but if you'll tell me, I know I ca--"

I stopped him before he could dig himself deeper into an ever-widening well of despair, "Harry, you've done nothing. You are not here for punishment."

His eyes got big and tears escaped the corners. He was trying so hard to hold it all together, "But professor, the fight. I thought I was going to be expelled." The tears came freely as he crumpled on the floor at Lupin's feet.

Lupin bent down as if to pick Harry up, but I stopped him. I picked Harry up myself, and carried him to my chair. I sat in front of the fire with Harry in my lap. He struggled for release, but I held tight. Lupin stood in front of Harry with his hands on the boy's shoulders and softly, so softly told Harry to relax. It took several minutes for the fight in him to subside. When he quit fighting he began to shake.

Lupin left for a few minutes, and I took the opportunity to try to break through the wall Harry had so carefully constructed. I held him and rocked him, and told him he is a good boy. He stared up at me with sorrowful green eyes. I asked when the last time was he was held. He cried. I asked when the last time was he was rocked. He cried harder. I shut up.

We sat like that until Lupin returned quite some time later. Harry had fallen asleep, and I would not have minded following his lead, but there was still a job before me, and none of us could really afford to rest until this task had been completed. Lupin tapped Harry on the shoulder to wake him and was rewarded with a fat lip. (It appears touching Harry, when he is asleep could prove just short of lethal.) Harry was disorientated, and began fighting again. When he realized where he was and on whose lap, he hung his head as if ashamed. I gave him a quick squeeze, and set him on his feet.

Lupin summoned a chair for Harry and stood by his side. Harry had his hands tightly clasp in his lap, and was boring holes through them with his intense gaze.

"Harry," I began, "I know this is confusing for you. Merlin's ghost, I know I would be completely off kilter if my grouchy Potions Master had just held me. But Harry, I need you to understand a few things. You are in a rather sticky situation. You know Voldemort wants you, and the only two places that are safe havens for you are here and Hogsmeade, right?"

He stole a quick glance my way and returned his gaze to his hands while nodding just slightly. I continued, "Harry, you know we have children of Death Eaters attending Hogwarts, do you not?"

Again he nodded, but this time he didn't look up, instead he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and tried to be brave. "Professor, those boys who hit me, are they… are they Death Eaters' children?"

How much smaller the boy suddenly looked. "Harry, I can't answer that question, it's not my place to answer for another, but I will tell you this, and you may draw your own answer from it: Try not to be alone anywhere where any of those three are." He looked up with wide fearful eyes and nodded… just once.

Lupin put his hands on Harry's shoulders and told Harry that both he and I would be keeping an eye on him. Lupin explained for me (though not asked to) that my position was a dangerous one, indeed. He explained about being head of Slytherin House, and a former Death Eater. Harry scooted off his chair and came to me. He reached out his small arms and fell into my embrace crying, "Professor, I don't want you in trouble, you can say anything to me you want, but will I ever… can we… I mean… you.."

"Harry," I said as I held him, "we will have plenty of time, you and I. In fact, Professor Lupin, Miss Granger, and even Mr. Weasley will be joining us on occasion. You may always come to me if you need me." Harry melted in my arms and I in his. I was embarrassed to find my eyes were tearing, and was amused to see when I looked up, that Lupin, that sentimental old fool, was grinning and crying. Once we had all pulled ourselves together, Lupin escorted a much relieved Harry to the Gryffindor Tower.

Lupin's POV

I arrived at Severus' chambers with Harry in tow. When we entered Severus' sitting room Harry stiffened and stood as if paralyzed just inside. As I was behind him I was unable to gauge his expression, but I felt his body stiffened, and smelled his fear, suddenly a small voice broke the silence, "I'm sorry, professor. I don't know what I did wrong, but if you'll tell me, I know I ca--"

To Severus' credit he told the child he had done nothing wrong, and that he wasn't there for punishment. Harry said something about the fight, and fell in a heap at my feet crying. Before I could pick him up Severus was there and had him in his arms. I wonder how he can move so quickly and silently. Severus will never cease to amaze me.

Here he is, this tower of anger, always dressed in the finest black silk robes, black slacks, black vest, black boots. And all this is strikingly offset by his black shoulder-length hair, and piercing black eyes. This stiff study in black has been the bane of many a student's existence, as well as a thorn in the sides of many on the faculty, but what they don't realize is the dept of his caring.

He loves potion making, and he thrives on teaching it. He loves… though he'd kill me if you ever let him know I said this, but he loves his students (well most of them). His glares, stares, growls and grumbles intimidate the best of them all, but I know the man and so does Albus. I hasten to add Albus knows him better than anyone, and I feel certain he knows him better than Severus knows himself. Underneath the studied exterior, lies a man in pain, a man longing to love and be loved, a man lost to himself, his past, and his fears.

Ahhh… but I digress… Severus picked Harry up and sat with him on his lap for the better part of an hour soothing the frightened child, and speaking softly to him before we even broached the reason for Harry's summons to the chambers.

Severus was masterful (I admit grudgingly) in his explanation of his position, and when he told Harry that there are children of Death Eaters attending Hogwarts I thought Harry was going to disappear. Merlin knows he tried. He became smaller yet, and I put my hands on his shoulders to steady him, and try to infuse some strength into that small soul. He wanted to know if Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe were such children… to which Severus responded that he couldn't answer for another, but gave Harry enough of an answer to draw his own conclusions.

As Severus' talk was ending Harry withdrew more as he tried to ask if he would see Severus in this same benevolent light again. Again Severus surprised me as tears filled his own eyes, and he assured the child indeed there would be more time together, not only that, but that I… I would be a part of the group. It would be Severus, Harry, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley and me. Reassured, Harry was ready to end the emotional onslaught, and I escorted him to Gryffindor Tower.

Our trek to the tower was a long slow one, and Harry was quiet until we were just feet from the portrait of the fat lady. He looked up to me, and with eyes too old asked if Severus was serious. I had to lighten the mood, I had to, and told him, "No, Sirius is your godfather, but Severus is indeed sincere in his desire to help you however he can."

Harry smiled and asked about Sirius. I told him that was a story for another day, and he accepted that answer, yawned and bade me good night. We were met by Miss Granger, Hermione, and Mr. Weasley, Ron, at the portrait hole.

I returned to Severus' chambers to make sure he was okay. I found him sitting in front of his fire holding a full glass of Magic Mist wine. He was just staring at the flames, he didn't turn around, but addressed me just the same, "Lupin, can I do this? Can I really help the child? Are we not both lost children, how can I give that which he needs when I don't even know if I have it to give?"

"Severus, I watched you tonight as I have every night since Harry's arrival. You are a different man. You care. You may not know the name of that caring, but it is there. It is not my place to name that caring; you must decide its name for yourself… for only then will it become yours to own."

"Lupin, you have spent entirely too much time with Albus, you speak in the same riddles as he." Severus answered me.

"Severus, old friend, for friends we surely must be to help Harry… old friend, your heart is showing." I told him and such a scowl that got. I had to laugh. He laughed, too. I haven't see him laugh in years. It does him well, it becomes him. I excused myself to my chambers and left him to ponder whatever it is he needed to ponder. As for me, I rested well knowing Harry would be well looked after.

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