Ch 15 When a child cries

After about an hour of pacing Severus finally managed to find a coherent thought. He could not and would not allow Harry to return to the Dursley's. He marched back to Dumbledore's office that resolve in his head.

"Albus Harry will not go back. We are fully qualified wizards a few memory altering spells should do the trick" Severus said to the man who was currently cradling his head in his hands reading a letter.

"Severus it will be more then a few memory charms. The Dursley's have filed a missing child's report for Harry. They are drawing attention to themselves. They say that a strange cult has kidnapped Harry. They say that we are the cult Severus. The ministry has already gotten wind of it." Albus said holding up the letter he had been reading.

"I have a meeting with the Minister in about thirty minutes. I am hoping against hope that perhaps she can help us. I taught her in school at one time so I am hoping she might bend the rules a little for us."

"The ministry knows?"

"Yes owl post is a bit slow so it was yesterday that the Dursley's went to the police with their tale of kidnap." Albus said rubbing his temples.

"Well they will certainly not let them have Harry when they know of all the damage they inflicted on the boy" Severus said.

"Yes and I will report it all to the minister." Silence filled the room them when Albus spoke again.

"Severus why don't you take Harry and spend some time with him. I am sure everything will be fine and he will stay… but just in case a problem should arise…" Dumbledore said. Severus just stared in disbelief. There was no way that they could get Harry back after all they have done to him it wasn't possible.

But Severus of course heeded Albus' suggestion and went in search of Harry. He found him clapping along to an old Scottish song while Minerva in her tabby form tap danced for Harry. It would have been amusing if he didn't feel so depressed.

"Harry how about we go out for some ice cream?" Severus asked. Harry jumped up cheering and screaming yeah. Minerva changed back and Severus didn't miss the saddened look on her aging face. It also told Severus that she was aware of the situation.

Harry and Severus ventured into the muggle world and got Harry's favorite ice cream Vanilla with sprinkles fudge nuts and cookie dough. Severus just had a small cup of vanilla ice cream. They ate with Harry just talking away about the trip they had just returned from. He recalled all the things that they had done. Severus just listened a feeling of helplessness coming over him in nauseating waves. If he lost this little boy he would be in the situation as he was in before. Lost and lonely with no reason to live.

After they had their ice cream Severus took Harry to the park and watched him play with the other kids. He had come a long way. Severus remembered how the child had been. He had been afraid to socialize, and now here he was talking away to these new friends that he just made. They stood there until the sun began to set and Severus called Harry back, and they walked into an alley and Severus disapparated them to Hogwarts gates. When they got there they went into the great hall to have dinner. Harry acted normally. If he had noticed Severus' melancholy mood he didn't hint that he did. Severus noticed the look that clouded the headmasters face as they approached the high table. Severus took Minerva's empty seat and Harry sauntered over to sit by Hagrid.

"Albus?" Severus said looking the old man in the eyes.

"Severus I tried to convince the minister but there is nothing she could do because of how we handled the situation. I could not have possibly foreseen this." Albus said sadly. Severus felt his world begin to crash around him.

"D… did you tell them about his injuries" He asked.

"Yes they said that there is no proof of Harry's injuries, and because it was one of my employees that wrote up the magical reports it is not authentic enough for them."

"Dimmit Albus! You have to try harder!" Severus practically yelled. He lowered his voice. "If they take Harry I will have nothing to live for. My life will be meaningless again." Severus said he felt suddenly weak.

"Are you okay uncle sevis?" Severus heard a small voice ask in the region of his lap. He lifted his head and grabbed the little boy pulling him into his lap.

"I am not okay Harry. Something bad has happened. We will talk about it later though. So go eat your dinner and have fun with Hagrid." Severus said forcing a smile. The little boy walked away then and Severus turned to Albus once more.

"I have to tell him don't I Albus. It has to be me" Severus said. Albus nodded sadly and Severus saw the old man was breaking inside too. He saw a tear stain his high cheek before disappearing into his long white beard.

"It would be best if he heard it from you" Albus said.

"How long before he goes?"

"The minister has given us until tomorrow morning to surrender Harry." Albus said.

"What if I just run off with him Albus?" Severus said hope returning.

"The minister thought of that. She will come and arrest me and send a warrant for the arrest of you." he said, and Severus slumped over once more.

He just sat though dinner with out moving a muscle and he dreaded what he would soon have to tell… his little boy. As always when time is unwanted at a fast pace it speeds up three times then usual, so the dreaded time arrived. Severus waited until the only people left in the hall were him and Harry.

"Uncle sevis we should go back to the room" the little boy said shaking Severus out of his stupor. Severus nodded and got up slowly. Him and Harry then walked slowly back to their chambers. Harry was quiet the whole was there. When they entered the rooms He asked.

"What is the bad thing that happens?" he said staring wide eyed at the older man. Severus shook his head and went into Harry's bedroom. He pulled out some pj's for him and told him to change and them go back to the room. He them went back to his room and changed as well. He sat on his bed his head in his hands.

"Uncle sevis please tell me" Harry said climbing up into Severus' lap. Severus tried to steel him self but he felt his resolve falling away as he looked into the eyes of the boy who seemed just about ready to cry. Black eyes that should be green. He took off the altering charms to see the little face of a Potter and the eyes of beautiful muggle born.

"I don't want this to be true Harry but your uncle and aunt they want to take you away from me. It seems that they are succeeding." Severus said. He watched Harry's reaction as he began to understand. He always heard of the expression to have a broken heart but he had never felt such a thing. But now his heart was breaking in a most horrible way. He would have rather died then have to be the one to tell this. The little boys eyes filled with tears.

"I don wanna go back with dem" Harry said sobs beginning to shake his small body.

"I don wanna. Pease don make me pease" He sobbed. Severus felt helpless the only thing he could do was hold the boy. He felt a wetness on his face and he realized that he was crying. He let go then and he began to sob. If any person would have entered then they would have thought someone had died. In a way someone did. Harry and Severus died that night, or at least a piece of their souls did.

Harry would of course forget with time. Such a traumatic experience would soon be forgotten by a child so young. Perhaps it would be lost forever. Severus however would remember until the day that he died. He would remember his little boy. The child that entered his heart. The only person he had ever loved and he swore as him and the little boy shook with tears that never again would he love anyone else. His barricade went up and young Harry began to draw up courage for his departure tomorrow. He wanted to be big boy for his uncle Severus.

THE END

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This story was inspired by the movie on Lifetime 'For the Love of a child' if you have not seen it try to it is a tear catcher. It is also true and a look into our justice system. These bastards who beat their defenseless children get away with it every day and when they do get caught most of them get the kids back after a few classes and it happens over again until the child escapes or they die. It is sad and it is one of the things that I am extremely passionate about I hate child abusers sex offenders and bigots nothing infuriates me more. In all honesty they should all burn in the deepest pits of Hell. Any way review and tell me how much you cried, and I know you did because I was crying writing it. Well I love you all and I appreciate your feed back.

PS No there will not be a sequel as I stated in the summary it will not be AU (alternate universe) so Harry will not remember Severus and the books will happen as JK wrote them. Sorry if you don't like it. TTFN

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