Chapter two.

When the Dursleys returned home, Nell could see that they were not happy to see Harry asleep on the sofa. Petunia's lips pursed in distaste, and suddenly Nell wanted nothing more than to slap her. Thankfully, she managed to restrain herself.

"Mrs. Dursley," she said quietly. "I was wondering if I might ask a favour." Petunia raised an eyebrow. "I have a project to do for my child psychology course at university. I was wondering if I might borrow Harry – just to observe, no experiments, I promise – for, say, a week?" She felt a thrill of disgust run through her at the thinly disguised glee in Petunia's expression.

"Well," fluted Petunia, "Are you sure that would be enough time?" She undid her coat, taking just long enough that Nell could see its distinctive plaid lining and designer label. The sight made Nell think of Harry's ill-fitting, worn, ragged jacket, and it only made her angrier and more determined.

Actually, the assignment that Nell had in mind was one that she'd done ages ago, from her introductory course, and was only a short paper anyway, easily completed by anyone who'd spent so much as an hour with a child. But Nell knew she had a light week of studying ahead of her, and she couldn't stand the thought of Harry staying with these people a moment longer.

She'd work out what to do on a longer-term basis once the week was up. If she didn't do something, she felt like she wouldn't be able to breathe. She rubbed absently at her throat.

"Perhaps, Mrs. Dursley. Can I let you know later in the week if I need more time? Also, do you mind calling 'round to his school in the morning and warning them that I'll be bringing him in and picking him up?" Nell racked her brain for more practicalities, but didn't really think of anything else that she really needed. Mostly, she wanted to leave as soon as humanly possible.

Petunia nodded quickly and paced smartly around to the cupboard. She took out a small satchel and put in the best of Harry's clothing, which, admittedly, was a meagre selection. Nell gritted her teeth. Perhaps a shopping trip would be in order this week.

She slung the light satchel over her shoulder, then carefully shook the sleeping boy. "Harry," she called gently. "Harry, wake up, dear."

He mumbled and rubbed at his eyes, but frowned when he encountered his glasses, waking up a bit. "Wha?" he asked sleepily. "N'l? Still you here?"

"You're going to come visit me for a bit, Harry," Nell said gently. "Do you mind?" It occurred to her that she had been a bit peremptory -- she hadn't even asked Harry.

But Harry grinned and swung his feet off the sofa, to Mrs. Dursley's obvious relief. "Let's go!" he nearly shouted, clearly woken up fully by this wonderful news. Nell felt the lump in her throat ease slightly and she took a deep breath in relief. Surely she was doing the right thing.

Nell nodded coolly at the Dursleys as they left, who had the decency to at least try to mask their joy at seeing Harry leave.

Harry fell asleep again as soon as he was strapped in and Nell's car was in motion, but before they arrived at Nell's apartment, he gasped and jerked awake.

"Bad dream?" Nell asked sympathetically.

"Yeah, I think so," said Harry. "But it's just a bunch of green light and someone laughing, so it's not like a real nightmare, is it?" He looked slightly ashamed, as if his bad dream wasn't quite up to par.

Nell frowned. "Well, if it scared you, then it's a nightmare. It doesn't have to make sense."

"Oh," said Harry quietly. He thought about that for several minutes, and before he could say anything else, they arrived at Nell's flat.

She helped the yawning boy up the two short flights of stairs and quickly pulled out the futon in the lounge for him. Harry looked at it in mild surprise. "So big," he yawned as he clambered on and fell back asleep.

Once more, Nell felt violent toward the Dursleys. Really, this was out of control. She grabbed a spare blanket and covered the sleeping boy before heading to her own bed. She was unconscious in only moments.

The next morning, Nell felt her mattress sag and soft breath on her cheek. She could feel someone staring at her. She couldn't think why – and then she opened her eyes. She looked straight into Harry's eyes, and they both jumped a bit, then grinned sheepishly.

"How about some breakfast, then," said Nell.

"Um – all right," said Harry. "What would you like? I can do eggs and bacon and sausages. And I've just about got the hang of pancakes!" he added proudly. He started to scramble off the edge of the bed, but looked back at her in surprise when she grabbed his shoulder.

Nell drew in her breath sharply, then counted to ten before she spoke. "No, Harry," she said gently. "I meant, what would you like for us to make each other for breakfast? You don't have to wait on me, but we can both cook if you like."

Harry's face lit up. "Do you know how to make waffles?" he said excitedly. He squirmed under her hand, and she let him go. He bounced for a moment, then sprang off the bed, ready to dash into the kitchen.

Nell grinned back. "As it happens, my fine young sir, I do have a waffle iron. How do you feel about blueberries? Or perhaps chocolate chips?"

Harry was practically incandescent with joy as they walked -- and bounced -- to the kitchen.

"I hardly ever get fruit in things! Dudley doesn't like fruit, so Aunt Petunia doesn't buy much. It's too bad, really, I really like fruit -- like blueberries and apples and oranges…" he chattered away, listing different types of fruits, as they got out ingredients for the waffles, including the carton of fresh blueberries. Harry's eyes got round and he snitched a berry, looking at Nell from under his lashes as he did so.

Nell did the only thing she could. She grabbed a few berries herself. They grinned at each other once more, then Nell began to show Harry how to make the waffles. He was actually quite good at mixing the batter, but he had trouble judging how much to put in the iron. Nell suspected he just liked to see it squish out the sides.

She didn't mind. She rather liked that part of waffle-making as well.

They giggled over breakfast like a pair of eight-year-olds, rather than an eight-year-old and a nearly-twenty-two-year-old.

After the breakfast dishes had been washed and wiped, Nell sat back and said, "What would you like to do today?"

The question clearly threw Harry. He sat, puzzled. "I don't know," he said finally. "Will you pick for us?"

"Well," said Nell, deliberating. "There's the cinema, or the zoo, or the history museum, or –"

Harry bounced in his chair. "Is the history museum the one with the dinosaur bones?" When Nell nodded, he said politely, "I'd like to go there, please. But can we do the zoo and the cinema another day?" He looked thrilled to bits at the possibility.

"Of course," said Nell expansively. "Anything you want!" Harry grinned up at her and took her hand. Her throat felt a little constricted in the face of such trusting joy.