Summary: Can one person and fate make the difference in Severus' life?
Disclaimer: I own nothng but the plot, sue me and become poor.
A/N: This fic is AU, not canon.
Ceyxa: He will indeed reconnect with Harry
Lady Lily3: Thank You! Glad to know someone enjoys it!
AccioSeverus: hehehehe, yes he did
Elwen of Imladris: LOL yes a good Dursley's bashing is great
Pure Black: thank you!
mb: Opps as it is wed.
rosiegirl: Woo Hoo!
I am so sorry, I delayed posting. Try to forgive me as I leave you with this chapter. flees
Chapter 5
Severus awoke to the smell of eggs and bacon being cooked. He wondered who in the world could be cooking at this hour, for he had no house elf. Rolling over in the bed, the answer soon came to him. Harry was not there anymore. Jumping to his feet, he pulled on his shoes. How could the boy be cooking breakfast in his condition? Stalking to the kitchen, he flung open the door, and startled Harry so badly he dropped the coffee cup he was holding.
Harry froze where he stood. Had he done something wrong? Quickly he went to retrieve the broom and sweep up the shards of the cup from off the floor. When he bent over the pain in his leg, made him woozy, and he had to catch himself with his hand before he fell flat on his face. This did not stop his head from spinning, and soon he was on the floor lying among the broken pieces of china.
Severus reacted quickly, and scooped the boy up. "Harry, what possessed you to come in here and cook?"
"It is my place to cook. I thought it would make you happy. I'm sorry I broke the cup, I'll go back to my room now."
Severus was stunned. Before him barely able to stand, was this small child, obviously afraid of the least little thing. "Harry, I am not angry at you, I am simply upset that you would further injure yourself this way. You should be in bed, resting and healing from your injuries, not slaving away like some house elf."
Harry stood there, not sure if he were in trouble or not, for no one had ever said anything kind to him that he could remember. Before he could think of an answer he faltered again, his head swimming, and the floor came into view. Right before he fell two strong arms caught him and lifted him up.
"I think perhaps you should have a seat young man, and eat something." Severus said placing the boy in one of the chairs, and going to get the plate of eggs and bacon Harry had cooked. After setting them down, he went back and made some toast, and then grabbed a fresh cup and got himself some coffee. "What would you like to drink Harry?"
Harry's mouth was dry, and he replied meekly. "Could I have a glass of water please?"
Severus brought it over to him, along with a plate and took his seat. "Well eat, before the food grows cold."
Harry was not sure what he meant by saying that, and only stared at him afraid to take any of the food.
"I said eat Harry, and I will not say it again."
Harry, not wanting to anger the man took a slice of toast and began to chew on the end of it. When he had eaten half of it, he got up and took his plate to the sink, and standing on one leg began to wash it.
Severus was stunned. "Harry, come back here." When they boy walked over to the chair, he could see the fear in his eyes. "Why did you not eat more than half a slice of toast, and why, pray tell did you stick the other half in your pocket?"
Harry immediately threw the piece of toast from his pocket onto the table, and began to stutter. "I'm sorry, really I am. I shouldn't have taken so much. Please forgive me. I'll do any chore you have, but I swear to you I won't do it again."
Severus had never in all his years on this earth heard such nonsense. The boy was acting as if this was all he was allowed. "Harry, I meant why not eat more? Why only eat the toast and not some eggs and bacon? Your body needs food to help you to heal."
"It's what I get, sir. I'm not allowed to take anything else. I took the other half for lunch, because I don't get lunch, and I was hungry. Uncle Vernon says that I should be grateful for what he gives me, and never complain."
Severus was livid, but he had to contain the anger boiling inside him. Taking a deep breath, he spoke to Harry. "Your so called relatives should have been locked up long ago for how they treated you. You are allowed to eat while you are here, and I expect you to do so. Now come back over here and sit down, and have some breakfast."
When Harry made no move to come back Severus went over and picked him up and placed him in the chair. Too afraid to disobey again, Harry took his plate and placed one egg on it, and one piece of bacon. Severus sighed and placed another egg, and two more strips of bacon on Harry's plate.
"I want you to try to eat it all, but eat slowly or you will make yourself sick."
Harry nodded in understanding, and grabbed his fork. When the taste of the eggs hit his mouth, he almost drooled on himself. This was food, real food, and he was allowed to eat it. Without thinking he gobbled the rest down in less than a minute and sat back, content for once. Now he did not feel hungry, but he did feel the eggs coming back up. Turning away from the table, all of his breakfast landed on the floor, and Harry's eyes filled with tears. He had finally gotten to eat, and he had lost the feeling of being full so fast.
Severus came around to scourgify the mess away, and raised up Harry's chin. "This time, eat slowly. I see now we are going to have to take this one step at a time. How often did you eat?"
"I ate a lot almost every two or three days."
"Every two or three days!" Severus snapped angrily. "I suppose they lavished you with a piece of toast then didn't they?"
"Yes, sir" was Harry response. "Once at Christmas, when Uncle Vernon was drunk, he gave me a whole sweet potato. That was the best Christmas ever, I so loved the taste of that."
Severus' heart ripped into a thousand pieces. Clearing his throat before the snarl came out, he placed Harry back down in the chair. He took the boy's plate, and put one egg on it and handed it back to Harry. "Here. Eat this, and drink this juice, and that will be enough for now. Do not rush to eat it, for you will be sick again."
Harry did as he was told, and Severus watched him as he ate his own meal. When both were finished he picked Harry back up and placed him on the couch. "I have to go and speak with a few people, but I shall return. Here is a book to read while I am gone."
"Don't you have some chores for me to do? I'm really good at scrubbing floors. I can get them really shiny."
"You are not some house elf or slave, Harry. I wish you to do nothing more than sit here and rest. I will not be long, I promise, and when I get back we need to have a talk."
Harry shook his head, and looked down at the book he was holding. "First Year Potions." He had no idea what potions were, but was glad he did not have to clean right now. His back was hurting him, and every time he moved some part of his body screamed out in protest.
Severus ventured a small glance at Harry before he went out the door. The boy was now entranced in the book he had given him, but did not cry from his injuries as though he were used to them. This amazed Severus, as some were quite extensive. He vowed thar no one would hurt Harry again, and no one would take him away before he could find out if this boy was truly his son. Walking into the meadow he located the apparition point and with a pop he was gone, destination Hogwarts.