Lucy's eyes slowly drifted open. She let out a small yawn, then looked down to see how Harry was holding up in his sleep. She smiled at the sight of the little boy with his arms wrapped around her, smiling slightly as he slept peacefully.
Then she noticed that his leg was already in the process of healing.
Wait, what?!
Lucy looked at Harry's leg in surprise. Her shocked facial expression quickly gave way into a smile, however. This was a very good thing for two reasons: one, the sweet little boy would spend less time in a state of pain, and two, she didn't have to worry about looking for a hospital as long as she made sure he didn't do anything too strenuous on his leg.
She considered waking him up, but took another glance at how peaceful he looked and decided against it. She smiled as she continued to hold the tiny little boy.
She then got to thinking about the prospect of taking him with her... On one hand, she had grown to enjoy his presence. Something about the child brought a warm, tingly sensation to her heart.
On the other...she was on the run from men who wanted to perform terrible experiments on her, she had no permanent residence or money, and she had no experience in taking care of children. Was taking him with her really the best course of action...?
She was pulled from her thoughts when she felt Harry shifting in her arms. She looked down at him...and her heart warmed at the content smile on his face.
She just didn't have the heart to give him up...
Harry's eyes fluttered open, and he let out a small yawn. He looked up at the woman holding him with a sleepy smile.
"Good morning, Lucy..." He greeted her with a very slight, timid quake in his voice. Lucy smiled back down at him.
"Good morning, Harry." She said softly as she stroked his back. Harry flinched slightly at the touch, and Lucy withdrew her hand. "I'm sorry. I forgot... you probably still have injuries from the fat man, right?" Harry nodded shyly. Lucy gritted her teeth as her face hardened...she forced herself to calm down as she ran her fingers through the boy's messy black hair. "So...how's your leg feeling?"
Harry blinked, then realized...his leg was already feeling better.
Oh no...
Harry's eyes widened in panic. "I-I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN! PLEASE DON'T BE ANGRY! PLEASE!"
Lucy stared at Harry in shock and confusion, unsure of what to make of the situation as Harry began to hyperventilate. She snapped out of it quickly, and tightened her hug.
"Harry...What's wrong? What do I have to be angry about?"
"M-My leg healed too fast..." Harry whimpered. Lucy frowned.
"Why would I be angry with you for healing quickly?" She asked. Harry looked at her in surprise.
"U-Uncle V-Vernon said I-I'm not allowed to do f-freaky things..." He whimpered softly. Lucy's face contorted in rage at the obese man who had caused this innocent child so much pain. Harry, unfortunately, took it the wrong way and thought Lucy's anger was directed at him. He whimpered at the sheer anger emanating off of the pink haired woman and tried to make himself as small as possible. "P-Please don't hurt me, Lucy...I'm sorry...Don't lock me away..." He felt tears threatening to fall, but he blinked them away. He didn't want Lucy to get any angrier...
Lucy's anger faded away the instant she looked down at the little boy in her arms, trying to make himself appear small... Harry's terrified demeanour was tearing at her heartstrings. Any anger at the man she personally killed was replaced with a desire to comfort the small child.
The diclonius adjusted the little boy so his head was resting on her chest, gently stroked his head and made soothing noises to calm him down. Gradually, Harry forgot his fear, and leaned closer into the woman's touches, enjoying the affection immensely.
"Harry...Let me make you a promise." Harry blinked at this, and looked into the pink haired woman's eyes. Her eyes were filled with warmth. It immediately made Harry forget he had been terrified of her at one point. "I promise you that I will NEVER hurt you. Never. In any way. I can't think of anyone on this planet who deserves to be hurt less than you." 'Not even Kouta...' She added mentally. Harry looked up at her with an unsure expression, then hugged her back. Lucy smiled as she held him close. "Besides..." Harry looked at her again. "You're no freakier than I am." Harry blinked in confusion...then saw Lucy pointing at her head. He looked...and gasped as he saw the horns on her head. Lucy smiled at his expression. "I'm more of a "freak" than you could ever think of being."
'I'd best be good..." Harry thought nervously. 'I don't want to make her mad...'
"Harry?" Lucy asked.
"Hmm?" Harry replied.
"Is your leg feeling well enough for you to stand?"
"Um...C-Can you put me down so I can try...?" Lucy smiled and nodded as she gently placed the tiny child on the floor. Harry squirmed out of the curtains that made up his makeshift blanket, then attempted to get to his feet.
As soon as he was standing, he felt pain explode up his leg, and immediately fell on his seat with a pained yelp. Lucy was by his side in an instant, concern plastered onto her face.
"Are you alright, Harry?" She asked.
"Y-Yes Lucy..." Lucy frowned.
"You still can't stand?"
"I-I'm fine..."
"Harry..."
"R-Really!" Harry moved to get back to his feet, but Lucy put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him down gently.
"No, Harry. It's okay that you're injured. I can just carry you until your leg heals."
"Y-You don't have to do tha-" Harry was interrupted as he felt himself being gently lifted off the ground and held against the Diclonius's chest. He blinked...then remembered just how much he enjoyed it when Lucy held him like that. Deciding to enjoy his current position, he rested his head against the pink haired woman's chest and enjoyed the warmth and safety he felt when in her presence.
Lucy looked at the little boy resting happily in her arms through the corner of her eye, and felt a warm smile grace her features. She walked out of the warehouse, Harry in tow, and walked towards the sunrise, wondering what her next course of action would be.
Hogwarts...
Albus Dumbledore wore a solemn expression on his face as entered his office.
"Albus?" The elderly wizard looked up in surprise at the sound of a strict-sounding female voice.
"Minerva...Good morning..." Dumbledore replied. "Where you waiting for my return?"
"Yes, Albus. I found your letter." Minerva replied. Dumbledore noticed her expression was one of concern. "Albus...Is Harry alright?" Dumbedore internally flinched at the question, but knew she deserved to know.
"...I made a terrible mistake, Minerva..." Dumbledore sighed as he sat at his desk.
"Albus...?"
"...You were correct in your assumption that the Dursleys were the worst kinds of muggles there were..."
"What happened?!" Mcgonnagal demanded, now losing her temper.
"...They abused him...Both physically and emotionally..." Dumbledore's head snapped to the side as Minerva's palm connected firmly with his cheek.
"DAMN YOU, ALBUS, I TOLD YOU NOT TO LEAVE HIM WITH THOSE...THOSE PEOPLE!" She yelled shakily, tears starting to form.
"...You were correct, Minerva...I fully acknowledge that I was wrong..."
"AS YOU SHOULD! YOU DIDN'T SEE HOW AWFUL THEY WERE! I WAS THE ONE WHO SPENT AN ENTIRE DAY WATCHING THEIR ACTIONS! THEY'RE DISGUSTING HUMAN BEINGS!" Dumbledore bowed his head in shame. McGonagall took a moment to compose herself, and shakily asked "Where is Harry now, Albus?" Albus dug his nails into his desk.
"...Somebody destroyed the Dursleys' door and killed his uncle...And I fear young Harry shared the same fate...There's no sign of him..." McGonagall's eyes glistened with tears. Without another word, she turned, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door behind her.
Dumbledore took of his glasses and buried his face in his palms, allowing the tears to flow.
