A/N: I'm proud of myself. Well, that was a bit braggy, but I have a reason to be! Two count 'em two updates in the same month! I'm awesome...not really. I know people who update far more frequently then myself. Oh well. This is still a record for me! And it's another long one too. I didn't even get all of what I wanted to say in it. Which means all my chapters will be off skelter! But hey, I can roll with the punches so expect chapter twelve to be overloaded with stuff...or maybe not. You'll just have to wait and see.

Thank you so much by the way! 331 reviews I feel overwhelmed everytime I look at that number.

"Professor Dumbledore, please listen to me."

Harry groaned softly, cracking open an eye. Severus was standing on the bed a desperate look on his face. Another memory, still from his years at Hogwarts, thankfully this one didn't seem to involve any violence. Then again, he really wasn't sure how long it had been going on. Harry felt guilty but he was rather glad that the memory wasn't one that involved him. He was waiting for it to happen. The harsh sarcastic words that he had heard in years past. The definite assurance that Severus will begin to pull away from him as the memories get stronger. Hermione had warned him only a few days ago to not become attached. Harry groggily reached for the little boy as he began pacing the bed. He didn't want him to fall off the edge. Severus didn't protest as Harry pulled him down, which was in itself a new experience. Harry had been failing miserably at getting him to hold still so he wouldn't hurt himself and now it seemed he was willing to sit. Perhaps it was in the memory itself or maybe because despite the anxious and frantic nature of the babble that was coming from Severus' mouth he was calm.

"I didn't mean to Professor. It's just." Severus paused and ran both hands through his hair. "I didn't want it to happen. Lucius just told me to go with him. That it would be fun and people would stop pushing me around. But it's absolutely the most horrible disgusting vile thing ever. I…I can't kill people. The Dark Lord…he well…he wasn't pleased with me and he…he," he gulped, "he forced me to….Sir please, please tell me there's something you can do."

Severus hung his head. "I know sir."

Harry ran his hand up and down Severus' back soothingly. He knew what the memory was. It should have been obvious from the start since most of the memories had been coming in chronological order. This was when Severus pledged himself to the light side. Harry had questioned Dumbledore's staunch support of Severus many times in his early years at Hogwarts, but now he got to see why.

"Please sir!" Severus begged. "I don't want to be a Death Eater anymore! Can't you get rid of it?"

He held out his left arm and pushed up his pajama sleeve revealing the unmarred flesh of the five-year-old. Severus was looking glassy eyed over at the other side of the room. He was sitting tensely in Harry's arms awaiting a verdict.

"You can't," his voice dropped. "Sir, there must be something." He cocked his head to the side. "You want me to what?"

Harry snorted at the blatant disbelief. He could picture the scene almost perfectly in his head; right down to the serious look Severus had to be getting from the headmaster.

"I can't! You don't really expect me to." A beat. "You do," he sighed resignedly. "All right. I'll do it. But where am I to go?"

A bright smile crossed Severus' face before fading. "You won't be disappointed sir."

And he fell back in Harry's arms. Harry smiled softly as he realized Severus had fallen back asleep, if he had even ever been awake at all. Harry reached for his wand on the bedside table, careful to not jar Severus awake.

"Tempus," he murmured.

He blinked at the time. It was only 1:30 in the morning. They hadn't been asleep for more than 5 hours. But now that he was up, Harry found he couldn't go back to sleep. He kept thinking back to earlier that evening. There was something niggling at the back of his mind and he just couldn't remember what. He knew it had to do with Lucius and subsequently Draco, but what 'it' was eluded him.

He rolled over and pulled Severus against him. He was smitten he realized, not only with the man the little boy truly was but the five-year-old himself. Harry groaned. The brief thought that Hermione would laugh at him if he told her amused him for all of ten seconds. He was screwed, royally screwed. Severus wasn't going to stay a child forever, no matter how hard he wished it so. He had grown attached to the boy. He was used to hearing him running around their rooms with his high-pitched voice that could get him everything he wanted. It saddened Harry to realize that once Severus was gone. He would be lonely. Taking care of the boy was like having a companion with him at all times. Someone to talk to even if they had no idea what it was you were talking about and would comfort you even though they had no idea why it hurt them to see you like that. Harry was hurting. And for once it wasn't pain caused by another. He had done this to himself. But the idea of staying away from Severus, the very thought of the disappointment and pain that would reflect back at him every time he looked into the obsidian eyes, was terrifying. Harry could never do that.

Harry mindlessly gazed around the empty hospital wing. He knew that tomorrow there would be other's here as well. Some complaining of an upset stomach, headaches, head colds, others with burnt off hair, singed clothing, all of them with some normal complaint that came from going to a magical school. Harry was getting sick of the white washed walls of this wing. The sooner he got out of here the happier he would be. Severus rolled over in his sleep, burrowing into Harry's chest. Harry smiled sadly at the little boy. The moon cast its pale blue beams across the two boys.

"What am I going to do?" he whispered, into the night.

"Harry wake up! Up! Up! Up!" Severus bounced on the bed excitedly. He prodded Harry's stomach wanting Harry to open his eyes. "Harry get UP!"

Harry mumbled unintelligibly, batting away the pestering hands. "Too early," he grumbled rolling over.

"Harry the sun's up and it's warm!" Severus told him, crawling over Harry's body so he was facing him again. "I wanna go out!"

"Again?" Harry asked groggily, giving up on the idea that he could ignore the little boy. He propped himself up on his elbows. "We went out yesterday."

"Oh," Severus said, eyes wide and watery. "But…"

Harry grinned warmly, "I never said we wouldn't. Now get off me pest."

Severus giggled, slipping off the bed slowly, straining until his bare feet hit the floor. He squeaked and leapt up. "I's cold."

Harry laughed at the outraged expression on the black-haired boys face. "You forgot to put socks back on of course the floor is cold."

"I's warm outside whys the floor cold?" Severus pouted, jumping from foot to foot.

"It's always cold, Sev," Harry told him, lifting him back onto the bed. "That's why I wear socks to bed."

"Yous do?"

"Yes," he rolled back the blanket revealing his covered feet. "See?"

Severus nodded. "I don't gots any socks," he pointed out, wiggling his toes for emphasis.

Harry hummed, "I can see that."

"How are my boys this morning?" Madame Pomfrey asked, bustling out of her office. Harry had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Severus was poking his side and it tickled. It was apparent that Severus knew this as well as he kept on poking and running his fingers over Harry's side. Harry glared at the mop of black hair.

Harry smiled blindingly. "We're fine."

"Yes, I can see that," The nurse said, placing some fresh clothing on the bed. "Once you change you may go. Breakfast will be starting shortly."

Harry took this chance and grabbed up the clothing in one arm and allowed Severus to jump on his back. "Thank you Madame" he said, shifting Severus' weight on his back so he wouldn't drop the boy.

"And Mr. Potter."

He looked up at Madame Pomfrey curiously. "Yes?"

"I don't want to see you in here again."

Harry grinned, "Yes, ma'am." He braced himself to stand. "Ready Sev?" Severus nodded against Harry's back. Harry could feel the smile the little boy had on his face through the thin fabric of the hospital pajamas. He stood up slowly, leaning forward to get Severus higher up on his back. Severus' arms automatically tightened around his neck and his legs gripped Harry's sides. Harry turned his head slightly meeting the excited onyx eyes of the five-year-old.

Severus laughed as Harry took off at a gallop bouncing Severus on his back. Harry slowed down once they entered the lavatory. He kneeled down so Severus could slide off then he handed the boy his pair of brown corduroy pants, underpants, and a green long-sleeved shirt. Harry helped Severus shrug out of his pajama top. They changed and Severus chatted Harry's ear off about some potion that he had made recently that supposedly made the drinker easier to get along. Harry idly wondered if Severus had ever tested the potion then brushed it aside. There had to be some reason why knowledge of certain things was coming in drips and drabs while major life changing memories or unpleasant memories seemed to come in chronological order. It baffled Harry. He nodded distractedly when Severus asked if he was paying attention. He was just not carefully.

"I'm hungry Harry."

Harry grinned even as his own stomach rumbled. "I think breakfast would be wonderful right about now."

The journal. Harry stopped in the middle of the corridor. Severus stopped as well looking at him confusedly. Harry felt like a right idiot. How could he have forgotten something that important? He had to keep Draco safe, if not because Draco was seeking asylum himself but because he had made a promise months ago. That if something ever happened to Lucius then Harry was to protect the blonde. Harry never quite grasped the monstrosity of what Lucius had been asking at the time, but now. It bowled him over. Someone had placed their child's life in his hands. He was scared. A new resolve formed in his mind. Even though he had told Draco he'd attempt to hide him, Harry was going to make sure it would happen now. Because he had made a wizarding pact and Harry didn't want to deal with the consequences of not taking action. Harry found himself walking aimlessly to the Great Hall lost in thought. Severus tentatively grabbed Harry's hand. Harry gave the tiny hand a squeeze. Severus smiled up at him happily.

There were so many things Harry was going to need to do to get ready. He would have to leave the school grounds there was no doubt in his mind about that. And he wasn't going to get permission to do so. It wasn't right that some wizened old man should hold so much influence over everyone's lives. He trusted Dumbledore, but he needed to take his life into his own hands. Harry chewed on his bottom lip pensively. He had portkeys to every one of properties he owned. He was going to have to go to them all. There had been very little description of the properties beyond their size and location. Harry mentally crossed off the flat in London that his father had lived in for a very short amount of time before he had married Lily. It was in the middle of one of the busiest districts and Draco would be easily spotted even in the large crowds. There were a few others that Harry knew of that he wouldn't allow Draco to stay in. Then there were the ones that Dumbledore knew of those he also tossed aside as well. That left him with three possibilities. None of which Dumbledore was aware existed and all were unplottable. Only thing was Harry had never been to any of them.

"Can we go in now?" Severus asked, pulling on Harry's hand, urging him to enter the Great Hall.

Harry nodded, allowing the five-year-old to guide him threw the doors. Severus pulled him all the way through the doors before stopping. He looked indecisively between the Gryffindor table and the Slytherin table. Harry waited patiently knowing how important it was for the five-year-old to make this decision on his own.

"Can we sit with the Sly-slythrens?" the little boy asked, looking up at Harry expectantly.

Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and noticed Draco sitting by himself. "You want to sit with Draco don't you?"

"Ah Mr. Potter our new celebrity," Severus said coolly. Harry froze and stared down at the five-year-old dismally. Here it was, he thought sadly, the beginning of the end. Harry scooped the little boy up in his arms without a fight. The Great Hall had gone silent as they watched Harry slowly walk over to the Slytherin table. Severus was still talking, lost in the memory of the first day he taught Harry. Harry tuned it out as he set him down on the vacant space next to Draco.

He studied the blonde's face for a moment seeing that he had probably gotten even less sleep then he had. The talking faded off with a resoundingly cold 'five points from Gryffindor.' Harry waited until Severus came back to himself. The sweet smile he received from the five-year-old broke his heart. There was no doubt that Severus would shortly put two and two together and come up with the reason why Harry was so familiar to him. But strangely it never happened.

"Harry, why you look so sad?" Severus asked reaching across the table for a slice of toast.

"It's nothing Sev."

The little boy looked at him oddly for a moment before going ahead and merrily eating the piece of toast. Harry watched him for a few moments wondering how Severus could just ignore that memory. Certainly it wasn't as powerful as some, but it was rather important. At least to Harry. The fact that Severus could brush it off so easily frightened him.

"Draco!"

The blonde turned around and saw an out of breath Harry Potter giving a piggyback ride to a five-year-old Severus Snape. A sight he still wasn't accustomed to seeing yet.

"Yes?"

Severus peered around Harry's head with a crazy grin, "DRACO!"

Harry winced, rubbing his ear playfully. "Indoor voice Sev."

"Oh right," he crinkled his nose and whispered very softly, "Draco, we wants yous to come with us."

Draco raised a speculative eyebrow, "Do we?"

"Uh huh," Severus said, nodding vigorously. Harry tightened his hold on the vibrating five-year-old's legs. "We're going on a picinic!"

Draco smirked, his eyes trained on Harry, "And you're inviting me why?"

"Cause there is something I want you to have and Severus has been pestering me all morning about going outside again," Harry said exasperatedly.

"Will it just be us?"

Harry nodded, "Just you me and Sev."

"All right. I'll come." He grinned weakly. "I just need to go change."

"Yay Draco's comin!" Severus squealed, gripping Harry's neck a tad to tightly. Harry grunted, prying Severus' arms from around his neck.

Draco snickered as he walked away.

"Did you hear me Harry? He saided yes!"

"I heard him Sev," Harry murmured, heading off to their rooms. He felt good about this, Draco needed to be amongst friends now. He knew Draco knew what Harry was trying to do, and he was thankful the blonde was going along with it.

The wind whipped through their hair as they walked across the grounds. A large leather bound journal was tucked safely under Harry's arm. Draco kept throwing speculative looks at the book, but didn't question it. Harry ran through the mental list of things he was going to have to tell Draco about before he handed the journal over. Severus was carrying the large picnic basket with both hands.

"Can we stop now?" he asked, dropping the basket to the ground. They were right on the edge of the lake. There was no one around so Harry nodded. "Can we eat now?"

Harry laughed sitting cross-legged on the ground. Severus climbed onto Harry's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. Draco sat a little ways away. He tossed a rock into the lake, watching the ripples it produced. Harry bit his lip, observing the introspective blonde.

"You hungry Draco?" Severus questioned, ripping a piece of bread off the loaf and handing it to the Slytherin. Draco smiled slightly, taking the offered bread. He munched on it thoughtfully.

He swallowed and stared at Harry seriously, "This wasn't just a random picnic Harry. What do you want to give me?"

Harry fingered the journal beside him nervously. Severus tilted his head back to look up at him curiously. Harry smiled and tweaked his nose causing the five-year-old to break down in laughter. His smile disappeared though when he realized what it was he was going to have to do.

"Draco before I give this to you there are some things I think you should know," he began. Draco turned so he was facing the raven-haired boy. The small tremor in Harry's voice intrigued him. What could he be nervous about? "You see there is something you did not know about your father."

Draco snorted, "I doubt that."

Harry sighed heavily, earning a hug from Severus. Harry returned the hug with one arm the other busy holding out the journal to Draco. He hated the idea that Draco would be diving into this blind, but he saw there was no reasoning with the blonde. Draco took the journal from his hands hesitantly. Harry watched with bated breath as Draco opened the journal and looked at the name inscribed on the inside cover. Pale eyes met nervous green.

"It was my fathers," the blonde said unemotionally.

"He gave it to me months ago." Harry scratched the back of his neck. "I figured you need it more than I do now."

Draco held the leather bound book to his chest. "You've read it."

"Lucius wanted me to," Harry explained gently. "He said he wanted to prove himself to me," he sighed sadly, "Lot of good it did him though."

Severus looked up at him with concerned obsidian eyes. "Harry your sad again."

"It happens Sev."

"It shouldn'," he stated petulantly.

Draco nodded absently, ruffling the little boys hair. "He didn't want me to read it."

Harry couldn't answer that. It was a statement not a question. He felt his stomach bottom out as Draco turned away to face the lake again. There were no reassuring words he could say that wouldn't sound false.

"Just read it," he advised, feeling like he had been tossed into the lake with only a life preserver but no knowledge of how to swim.

"He's never around anymore," Ron complained. Ginny rolled her eyes before going back to the novel she was reading. She had heard this complaint from her brother so many times in the past week she felt like her head was going to explode. Hermione had taken to studying solely in the library just to escape the redhead's frequent lambasting. Ron was scowling at the fire. The bright orange and red flames crackled merrily oblivious to the anger stare it was receiving.

Ginny sighed, unable to read any further because of her brother's constant muttering. She placed the book next to her and folded her hands staring contemplatively at Ron. "You could go visit."

"Pft," Ron snorted, brushing aside the suggestion without even looking at her. "He's always hanging around Malfoy."

"Malfoy's father did just die," Ginny pointed out. Immediately she realized the error in her words. Hermione had told her this in strict confidence the night before and here she was now blabbing it out to the very person who had no right to know and would use the information to his advantage. She loved her brother, but she also knew there was little love between the blonde Slytherin and he.

An odd glint came to Ron's eye that put Ginny on edge. He smiled maliciously. "He did, did he?"

"Ron, whatever it is you are planning to do don't."

"I'm not going to do anything," Ron said innocently.

"I don't believe you," she stated, folding her arms across her chest.

Ron growled, "I never asked you to believe me."

"Ron," she warned, "Hermione will not be pleased and you just got back in her good graces. Do you really want to jeopardize that?"

Ron stared at her for a few moments. Ginny waited patiently knowing that Ron was having a horrible inner battle, a conflict of interests, taunting his enemy or keeping his girlfriend. A resigned look fell on the freckled face of the seventeen-year-old and Ginny knew she had won.

"Fine," he spat unable to keep the bitter tone out of his voice. "I won't do anything. But still Harry's never around!"

"Ron!"

The wind swirled around them kicking dead leaves into the air, reminding them that spring had just begun. Severus was shivering as he wrapped Harry's cloak around him. Harry kept one arm around the little boy in his lap. He was busy watching Draco. Observing him, he feared the blonde wouldn't be able to handle the contents of the journal. That he would be unable to digest the truth from it. There were so many things he had learned about Lucius by reading his journal and the personal narrative didn't even personally affect him.

"I's cold now," Severus said through chattering teeth.

Harry wrapped his cloak tighter around the five-year-old, "We'll go in, in a bit."

Severus nodded, his head hitting Harry's chest. Harry coughed trying to hide his laughter.

"This," Draco said tremblingly, "this…he never told me."

Harry sighed heavily. His head hurt from the combination of wind and sun and guilt. It pained him to see the lost expression on the blonde's face. He wasn't regretting giving Draco the journal, but he was regretting not giving it to him sooner. Draco looked up at Harry his pale blue eyes begging him to explain, yet Harry couldn't. He had no explanation to give.

Severus braved the cold to go sit next to Draco. He stared up at the blonde with sad eyes. "Now Draco's sad, whys everyone so sad?"

Harry didn't have it in him to tell the little boy. Severus already had too many things to deal with. Harry and Draco's issues didn't need to be added to the list.

"DETENTION!" Severus barked. His onyx eyes glazed over. "No excuses Potter, be in my office at 7 o'clock sharp!"

Harry groaned miserably. A few students who had been wandering the edge of the water stopped and stared in shock. Harry shot them a glare and they hurried along but not before hearing Severus deliver a parting shot.

"You will be remaking the entire potion, this time without Granger's help."

Draco was staring at Harry sympathetically. "That's only the second one right?"

"Yes," Harry grumbled, waiting for Severus to snap out of the memory. He disliked this immensely. The uncertainty of how long Severus could repress the memories. The uncertainty of the length of time Harry had with the bright and bubbly little boy. He missed the older sarcastic Snape persona but he didn't enjoy seeing it come out of a little boys mouth.

A/N: So what did you think? Not quite as fluffy as the last chapter nope not at all. But not as painful for our three boys. And I added Ginny in. Yay!

Review Please!