-1Chapter 11

Small fingers clasped onto his pale hand as Severus held his six year old son on his lap. He looked down at the tiny hand clutching onto his and a memory began to unfold. He remembered when a sixteen year old battered boy held onto his hand in the same way. It occurred to him that this little boy on his lap had yet to endure many horrifying times ahead. This innocent child would be the savior of the Wizarding world, yet grow up feeling as if he was nothing but a burden to his family. He wondered what would happen if the child stayed as he was. Would the boy be granted a second chance to experience childhood, a childhood filled with love?

The spell cast against Harry was considered a dark arts spell. There was a good reason for it to be considered dark for it could change the future by re-living the past. What would become of the Wizarding World if the child were to grow up in a different environment?

Harry leaned against the man's chest feeling safer than he ever felt before. He liked the way his new daddy spoke with him, telling him that he was a normal wizard child.

It made him feel good to know that those accidents that happened around him were not so bad after all. Daddy kept telling him how wrong Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were to call him a freak and abnormal. Somehow he always knew that magic was true but never wanted to admit it.

Severus wanted this time Harry had as a child to be filled with something other than the ridicule and abuse he suffered at the hands of the Dursleys. He thought about the tiny golden Snitch in Harry's bedroom, "Accio Harry's Snitch."

Harry looked up at him with big expectant eyes, "What's a Snitch?"

"You will see," Severus held his hand out as the tiny gold ball flew into his study and over to the desk he was sitting at with Harry. Harry wiggled down off his lap and backed into the wall.

"Harry, do not be afraid," Severus admonished.

Harry nodded his head but stayed up against wall while staring at the ball. He had never seen anything fly in the air like that. He decided to show his daddy how brave he really was and raised a small finger to touch the ball.

Severus smiled at the child's courage. He waited until Harry seemed a bit more relaxed before opening his hand and letting the Snitch fly around the room. "Now, the object of this game is to catch the Snitch as swiftly as possible."

Harry kept his eye on the little ball and slowly followed it, occasionally making a grab for it when it flew close by. The Snitch seemed to be taunting him as it flew by his head then zoomed away. Before he even realized it, he was jumping and running all over the study, taking big leaps to reach up and swipe at the ball.

Severus couldn't help but chuckle over the intensity this little Harry already had when going after the Snitch. The boy seemed to be filled with an inexorable amount of energy.

He focused his attention back to his letter, hoping the reader of it had the knowledge he searched for of the dark spell cast against his son. He considered it wise to use his black hawk to deliver this message and raised his wand to summon the intimidating bird.

Harry had just stood up on the wooden chair and was reaching his arm out for the Snitch when a large black hawk soared by him! He was so shocked to see a bird in the house that he lost his balance and fell off the chair. When he hit the hardwood floor he landed on the palms of his hands after his chin took the brunt of the fall. As fast as he could he scrambled to stand and pushed his shirt sleeve against the hot pain on his chin.

Severus advanced around the desk in a flash, worry over taking him when he saw blood dripping down the boy's hand.

Harry stepped back and almost stumbled and fell again. When he got hurt at home his Aunt always yelled at him for being so clumsy. He didn't want his new dad to see what an awful clumsy boy he was.

"I'm okay," Harry stammered out and pressed harder on his chin to make it stop bleeding. It felt like his chin was on fire.

Severus felt a small tug at his heart when the boy pretended to be okay. This child had almost certainly never received sympathy when he most required it. He knelt in front of the child and pulled his small hand away from the cut on his chin. The cut was deep but the boy remained resolutely brave and didn't cry out. That was definitely not typical behavior for such a young child to possess. The Potion Master stood before picking the child up and placing him on his desk with legs dangling over the edge.

"I'm okay, really I am," Harry's small voice wavered a bit as his chin throbbed with tenderness. The man tilted his chin up before raising his wand. Harry pulled back and covered his head with his arm.

Severus gently pulled the boy's arm down, "I would never strike you with my wand. You will not be harmed while you are with me." Once he saw the boy relax a bit he called out, "Accio healing balm."

They could hear the dungeon door squeak open right before the healing balm came floating into the room. Severus opened the jar, "This will not hurt."

Harry nodded then tilted his chin up bravely.

"Good boy," Severus said before dabbing a bit of the cream on the cut.

Harry's heart leapt in his chest, he'd never been told he was good before. The cream was nothing like the burning stuff Aunt Petunia made him use to clean his cuts..

Within seconds the cut healed closed and the swelling began to lessen.

"How does your chin feel Harry?"

"Doesn't hurt anymore, Daddy." Harry felt funny calling the man daddy but he liked the way it sounded too. Dudley said he'd never get a real daddy but he was wrong.

Severus blinked several times at being called 'Daddy'. He wasn't quite comfortable with that name but he could tell the boy had hesitantly said it. He held a hand out to the child to help him off the desk. Once the boy was on the ground the child didn't let go of his hand.

Harry held onto his new father's hand while he looked up at him, "Thanks Daddy, my chin feels like it never got hurt."

Severus patted the child's head before the Snitch flew close by and Harry snatched it out of the air.

"I got it! Look I got it!!"

"Very well done, Harry," Severus smiled at the look of delight Harry now wore.

Just then the floo turned green and Molly Weasley emerged with a wooden crate in her arms. Before Severus had a chance to greet the mother of seven, the floo turned green once more and Ginevra Weasley came forth carrying another crate.

Ginny took in a sharp breath at the sight of little Harry. He was so cute, she just wanted to squeeze him. She wished Hermione was here to see this.

"Welcome Molly, Ginevra," Severus said as he placed an arm around Harry's shoulder. "This is Harry. Harry this is Mrs. Weasley and Ginevra."

"Call me Ginny," Ginny said as she placed her crate on the ground. Professor Dumbledore had already warned them not to refer to the de-aging spell. He made it quite clear how that could have a negative effect on Harry's future.

Harry thought the girl was pretty and he liked her long ginger hair. "Hi," he said with a small voice.

"My, what a handsome boy you are," Molly said as she touched his cheek. "I've brought you all sorts of goodies to eat." She looked up at Severus, "All you need to do is warm these up. The food should last you at least a few days."

"Thank you Molly," Severus said with a slight bow.

Ginny couldn't take her eyes off the darling green eyed boy. He stared back at her and she finally got a smile out of him when she winked.

"I've brought some toys and clothes for you Harry," Ginny said as she reached into the crate and pulled forth a little pony that was no bigger than his shoe. The pony pranced about when she set it on the floor.

Harry looked up at his father to see if it would be okay to play with the pony. Severus nodded and let go of the small hand. He watched Harry kneel down on the floor and poke the pony, causing it to rear up on its hind legs.

Harry clapped his hands in delight. He prodded the pony once more and it galloped around in a circle.
"It's magic, isn't it?"

Ginny loved little Harry's sweet voice. "That's right. I have something else for you too." This time she placed a jack in the box on the floor. "Go ahead Harry, give it a turn."

Harry couldn't ever remember receiving any gifts before. He wanted to ask if these were really his to keep but didn't want to make the girl angry. He gently turned the handle on the box until the lid popped open. He laughed when a frog jumped out of the box. It hopped around him, croaking loudly then it hopped back in the box again.

"That's magic too, right Daddy?" Harry looked up at his dad.

Ginny had to stuff her fist in her mouth to keep from laughing. Imagine Professor Snape being called daddy? It was just too funny for words. Ginny could tell her mum was holding back laughter as well.

Severus ignored both Weasley women and focused on his son, "Correct, that is made with magic."

The floo turned green once more and this time Dumbledore's head came into view. "Hello Molly, Ginevra. Severus I must see you immediately. We have an issue to deal with regarding Minister Fudge. Molly would you join us as well?"

"Certainly Albus," Molly waited for Albus to move back before going through onto Hogwarts.

Severus knew it must have something to do with the adoption. He turned towards Ginevra and asked, "Ms. Weasley , would you stay with Harry until I return?"

"Sure Professor Snape, I would love to," Ginny said.

Severus was just about to step through the floo when his hand was grasped. He looked down to see big green eyes looking up at him. "Can I come too Daddy?"

Harry just knew he would lose his dad once he left. Maybe he would wake up and be back at the Dursleys again. His stomach twisted with anxiety.

Severus could hear the boy's voice wavering. He knelt down and looked the child directly in the eyes, " I will be back, you have my word." The child looked to be on the verge of tears. The Potion Master signaled for Ginny to come over.

"Harry, Ginevra will take very good care of you. I believe she may be able to supply lunch for you as well. I expect to return before supper. Do you remember what you get if you eat all of your supper?"

"Cake," Harry exclaimed but clutched his daddy's hand tighter. He tried to ignore his pounding heart and struggled to stop acting like such a baby.

Ginny understood Professor Snape's intend to take Harry's mind off of his leaving. She felt a burst of gratitude towards the once hated professor for caring about Harry's feelings.

"Come on Harry, I think Mum made some chicken pot pie for lunch," she held her hand out and watched as Harry took hold of it with a moments pause. She pulled him towards the crate of food just as Snape walked into the floo.

She took out two servings then pulled Harry towards the door to find the kitchen. Harry stopped and looked back at the fireplace.

"Harry, what's the matter?"

"I don't wanna miss it when he comes back," Harry pulled his hand away and walked over to the fireplace. He knelt down on the soft rug and prepared to wait until his daddy came back.

Ginny couldn't believe how attached Harry was already to Professor Snape. She remembered the horrible stories she had heard from Ron about Harry's childhood. It broke her heart to realize how cruelly the Dursley's treated this sweet little boy. She knew he slept in a broom closet at this age and had never received a gift until he went to Hogwarts. It was no wonder Harry was so desperate for a new family.

Ginny walked towards Harry and placed the pot pies on the coffee table.

"Okay, so we'll eat in here," she took her wand out and warmed up the pies. She tried to remember a transformation spell to make forks from the two small statues on the mantle but ended up making a cross between a fork and a spoon.

"Come on Harry, lunch is ready."

Harry turned to see the pies steaming and the funny forks. He smiled at the pretty girl named Ginny. He didn't think the whole pie was his so he waited until Ginny ate her share.

"Aren't you hungry Harry? Do you like chicken pot pie?"

Harry nodded.

"This one is yours," Ginny pointed to the pie.

"You mean all of it?"

"That's right. You eat as much as you want," Ginny said.

Harry knelt down at the coffee table and pulled his pie closer. "I like chicken pie. Dudley gets all the crust but sometimes he leaves me a little." Usually Dudley ate all the crusts off first then the chicken inside, leaving only the vegetables behind. Aunt Petunia would give him Harry's crusts and chicken as well.

Harry broke off a piece of the crust and stuffed it in his mouth. It was way better than the frozen stuff at the Dursley's. He ate until his stomach felt ready to burst.

After lunch Ginny read little Harry a few stories from magical story books with moving pictures. After playing with the tiny pony again Harry wanted to chase the Snitch. Ginny almost caught it before the Snitch flew out the door and down the hall. Harry ran after it and Ginny ran after him. She almost bumped into the small boy when he suddenly stopped at the end of the long hallway. She looked to where Harry was staring and knew why he was so dumbfounded.

Never in all her years had she seen anything so spectacular. She was standing in the entryway leading into the beautiful living room with the giant curving staircase sweeping down into the room. What had caught her breath though was the magnificent three story tall Christmas tree. It was filled with the most striking glass ball ornaments and spectacular twinkling lights that she had ever seen. She took tentative steps into the amazing room. She stood before the large tree and felt a small warm hand grasp onto her own hand.

She looked down to see giant green eyes looking up at her with wonder. She realized this was the first time either one of them had ever been to Snape Manor. Harry never told her he lived in such luxury.

"It's so beautiful," Ginny whispered. "I've never seen a tree like this before." She thought of the Christmas tree they had at the Burrow and her face flushed with embarrassment. How could Harry like someone like her when he was living a life filled with so much extravagance? He deserved to live like this, after all that had happened to him. She felt a stab of fear over losing him to someone more deserving, someone that lived like he did.

"Ginny, why are you sad?" Harry asked as he looked up at her with concern.

Ginny shrugged but smiled at the green eyed boy. In a fit of love for him she scooped him up and held him close.

Harry reveled in this new found hugging thing. He wrapped his arms around Ginny's neck and fingered her long ginger hair. He patted her back like Aunt Petunia did to Dudley when he was sad. "Everything will be alright," Harry whispered.

Ginny felt another swell of love and compassion for what this sweet little boy was destined to accomplish in his life. She placed him back down on the ground then wiped at the tears on her cheeks.

Just then the Snitch flew by and teased around Harry's head. He looked up at it with a crooked smile and leapt up to catch it. He held the Snitch in his hand as he waved it in the air, "Ginny, I caught it!"

"Good job Harry!"

"Harry? What the bloody hell happened to him?" Draco stood in the hallway after flooing in from the Leaky Cauldron. He had been sent ahead by a very irate Mum, to find out where the bloody hell Severus was. Narcissa did not like to be stood up by anyone!

Ginny and Harry turned to see the white haired boy smirking at them. Ginny pulled the child to a chair and had him sit down, "Stay here Harry while I talk with Draco." Harry nodded back.

Ginny immediately signaled for Draco to join her in a room connected to the living room.

"What's going on Weasley?" Draco asked.

Ginny realized this was the first time she had seen Draco since he helped to save her from Voldemort. She knew his family was suffering for his involvement. Her Dad told her that the Malfoy's had all their funds tied up and their house was going to have to be sold, not to mention the cold shoulder they were receiving from close friends.

"Draco, um … I just want to thank you for helping to save me. And also I'm sorry that your Dad didn't make it," Ginny quietly stated.

Draco waved her off, "No problem." He acted as if it wasn't a big deal but inside he was grateful for her acknowledgement over what it had cost him. He quickly changed the subject, "What the hell happened to Potter?"

"Sirius hexed him with some sort of de-aging spell. Professor Snape is trying to fix it. Dumbledore doesn't want Harry to know anything about it yet though. He thinks Harry might get too confused over what's going on."

"You mean Sirius Black? I thought he was Potter's godfather?" Draco asked flabbergasted.

"He is but apparently he isn't of right mind since his return from the veil," Ginny explained. "Anyway, we better get out there and stay with Harry."

Draco followed Ginny back out to the living room and laughed at the tiny replica of Potter sitting on the floor by the tree.

Harry had climbed off the nice chair, not wanting to ruin it. He looked up when Ginny returned.

"Harry, this is Draco," Ginny said as she took hold of Harry's hand once more.

Draco knelt down in front of the raven haired boy, "Hey buddy."

"Hi. Do you live here too?"

"No, but I wish I did. Severus is my godfather," Draco explained.

"Oh. He's the nicest man I ever met," Harry explained with sincerity.

Ginny covered her mouth to stifle the giggle that wanted to escape while Draco threw his head back and laughed loudly. Harry looked at both teens with confusion. He furrowed his brow and gave them both an angry glare. He didn't like anyone laughing at his daddy. His daddy was the nicest person, he really was! Why were they laughing at him?

Ginny noticed the angry glare, "Don't be mad Harry, it's just I've never heard anyone say something like that about Professor Snape. I'm sure he is really nice, just like you said. Right Draco?"

Draco forced himself to stop laughing, "Oh yeah, sure Potter, Severus is as nice as they come."

Harry could tell the teenagers were teasing him. He had been teased all his life and knew when someone was making fun of him. He stomped his foot before turning back around to stare at the tree.

Ginny gave Draco a reproachful look before putting a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Harry, don't be angry. We like Professor Snape too. Why don't we go back into the study and draw a nice picture for him?"

Harry liked that idea. He took hold of Ginny's hand once more and the three walked back into the study.

After spending the afternoon drawing pictures, playing with his new toys and chasing Draco, Harry started to feel very tired. He sat down in front of the fire waiting for his daddy to come back. It felt like his daddy had been gone a really long time. Before he knew it he had drifted off to sleep curled up in a ball on the rug.

Draco sat at Professor Snape's desk writing a letter to Pansy. He still liked her and had been trying to convince her to come visit during the holiday. In Pansy's eyes he was 'persona non grata' so she had refused the offer. In a last ditch effort he was writing to tell her he had a present for her and he would give it to her if she came for a visit. He knew it was pathetic but he didn't care. Charlet had started to wear on his nerves this morning and his attraction to her was quickly fading. She was a clone of his own mother and he had no desire to snog someone who reminded him of his mother!

Ginny had picked out a book from the shelf and was curled up in the chair in front of Harry. She thought about putting Harry on the couch to sleep but didn't want to wake him.

About a half hour later Harry woke up. He opened his eyes and was relieved he was still at his Daddy's house. A moment later his heart started to race when he realized he had wet himself during his nap. His pants were stuck to his legs and … oh no, the carpet was wet as well! Oh no, he knew he would get punished for this.

He had been sleeping so deeply lately that sometimes he didn't wake up in time to make it to the loo. Uncle Vernon always gave him a sound thrashing for wetting himself. He sat up and brought his knees up to hug them. He couldn't imagine his new daddy would still want him after the mess he had made. Before he could stop himself he started to cry. Why did he have to ruin everything?

Ginny knelt before the little raven haired boy and put a hand on his shoulder, "Harry what's wrong?"

Harry shook his head, too humiliated to admit his mistake.

Ginny saw the liquid on the carpet and knew right away that was the reason the child was crying.

"Harry, it's okay, accidents happen all the time," she tried to get Harry to look at her but he refused. "Come on Harry, Mum packed some clothes for you in the crate. You can take a bath and put on something else."

Harry reluctantly stood up, horrified when he saw the mess on the carpet. Ginny tried her best to clean it with a scougify but she knew her cleaning charms were not very good. "Draco, do you know a good cleaning charm?"

Draco looked up from his parchment and took in the scene before him with a fair amount of disdain, "No."

Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head at his arrogance, "Could you help me out a bit Malfoy."

Draco begrudgingly stood up and came to stand in front of them. "Potter, you do know how to use the loo, right?"

Harry flushed with humiliation over the teenager thinking him still a baby, "I was sleeping. Don't tell anyone, please don't tell."

Draco took pity on the kid, "Potter, it's no big deal. Come on I'll show you where the bathroom is."

He took hold of the little guys hand and dragged him out of the room with Ginny following. Draco led them up the winding staircase and down a long hallway to Harry's bathroom. He could see both Potter and Weasley were looking around like they had never seen a loo before. He smirked at their obvious amazement. Although … he did have to admit that Potter's bathroom was pretty impressive with it's giant marble tub with a dozen faucets. It rivaled the Prefects bathroom at Hogwarts. He turned on the faucets with a flick of his wand and heard both Weasley and Potter take in sharp breaths when the tub began to fill with rainbow colored water.

"Come on Harry, let's get you undressed," Ginny said when she got over her captivation of the bathtub.

Harry didn't move, he looked down at his shoes.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked as she knelt in front of him.

"I can do it myself. I don't want anyone to see me without my clothes," his little fists were balled up and his body was tense.

Ginny looked at the giant marble tub and thought it wouldn't be safe to leave him in here alone. She thought about Harry's reaction to her seeing him naked once he turned back to being sixteen again. She looked at Draco before saying, "Harry, how about if Draco stays. I'll wait for you in the bedroom, okay?"

Harry didn't want anybody to see him without clothes, not even Draco. He shook his head no.

Ginny gave Draco a pleading look before he acquiesced.

"Come on little buddy, I'm a guy too so nothing you have will surprise me," Draco reasoned. He caught the smile on Weasley's face as she walked out and closed the door.

Harry didn't want to cause a bigger fuss than he already was causing so he reluctantly began to peel off his wet clothes. When he just had the undershirt left to take off he turned his back away from Draco and pulled his shirt off then quickly scrambled into the tub.

Draco thought the kid was acting funny but he really didn't know too much about kids. He watched as Harry grabbed a rag and started to scrub himself clean. The kid was very efficient but Draco noticed shampoo left on the back of his hair. He picked up a cup and started to rinse it off. As the bubbles washed off he noticed deep bruising on the kid's back. When Harry stood up the Slytherin saw deep welts on the boy's lower back and across his rump, all the way down to his upper thighs.

Oh Merlin, this kid had been beaten pretty badly and by the looks of the bruising it had happened quite often. Draco wasn't sure what to do, he had to tell Severus. The little boy turned to look at him with an inquisitive stare.

"Um Harry, how did you get those bruises, little buddy," Draco asked as nonchalantly as possible.

Harry's eyes flew open and he backed up away from Draco. Uncle Vernon would beat him if he found out someone knew about his punishments. He was standing with his back up against the wall as bubbles dripped down the front of his pale body.

"It's okay Harry, you don't have to be scared," Draco coaxed. He transfigured the soap into a boat and floated it across the water.

Harry felt trapped like one of those mice Aunt Petunia caught in the traps she set in the basement. He had nowhere to run or to hide. With a defeated air he sank down to his knees and let the warm water wash over him once again. He stared at the boat as it drifted by him.

"Did your Uncle do that to you?" Draco asked, suddenly overcome with guilt for teasing Harry about his Uncle this past year at the train station. Who knew Potter had grown up like this?

"I'm a freak," Harry whispered, crushed to have to admit that to his new friends. Now they wouldn't like him anymore either. "Uncle Vernon says that freaks have to be punished. Dudley's not a freak."

Draco made a face of revulsion, how could Muggles treat their own family like that? What kind of crazy person would do something like that to such a cute little kid?

"Your Uncle sounds like a prick. You seem pretty normal to me," said Draco as he held a hand out to the kid. He saw Harry smile before the kid covered his mouth.

Harry really liked Draco, he was nice. He took hold of Draco's hand and climbed out of the giant tub.

Draco carefully helped to dry off Harry's back and got a better view of the damage. He really regretted all those nasty remarks he had made in the past. He thought about applying some healing cream but decided Severus better see the damage first.

Once Harry was dry he followed Draco out into the bedroom with the towel still wrapped around his body. Ginny was sitting at a desk with a small pile of clothes on her lap. Harry looked around the room with awe. There were pictures on the mantel of his daddy with that boy again. He looked at all the pictures as Draco went to whisper with Ginny.

Draco signaled to Ginny and they walked to the far side of the bedroom, "Weasley, I think the kid has been beaten pretty badly. He said his Uncle punished him."

Ginny took in a sharp breath as her heart twisted at the thought of anyone harming this sweet boy, "Oh no. I wish I could get my hands on that bastard!"

"Yeah, right after I get a hold of him. Do you think we should call Severus?"

Ginny nodded her head then handed Draco the small pile of clothes, "Here help him get dressed while I go down and call Professor Snape."

Ten minutes later Ginny still had no luck finding the Professor. The Burrow was empty as was Grimmauld Place and Professor Dumbledore's office. She was sitting on the ground contemplating what to do when the floo turned green and with a swish of air out stepped Charlet.

Charlet almost tripped over the ginger haired girl on the ground. As soon as she recognized who it was she sneered out, "So are you the new maid? I hope you cleaned my room to my liking or I'll give you no tip. It's quite obvious you need the money."

Ginny's face reddened as she looked down at her shabby skirt. Why hadn't she worn something a bit more stylish? She looked up at the highly fashionable witch before her, "Still as pleasant as always I see."

"What are you doing here anyway?" Charlet said with an arrogance befitting a queen. "Is Harry still slumming with the likes of you?" Charlet peeled off her pink kidskin gloves then shrugged her heavy pink fur cloak to the ground.

Ginny stood up and had to hold herself back from pulling her wand out. She hated the fact that this horrible girl was actually living in the same house as her boyfriend. Oh Gods, Harry! What would Charlet say when she found Harry as a child! Ginny couldn't let the condescending twit say anything in front of Harry that might make him suspicious of how he got here.

"Charlet, there has been an accident. Harry has been turned into a child and Professor Snape is trying to fix it. You must not say anything about the accident in front of Harry. As far as he knows he is six."

Charlet's eyebrow's rose, "Six? Oh this is rich!"

Just then Draco entered the room with little Harry following behind. "Hi Charlet. Sorry I didn't come back but there was a small complication here." Draco indicated the small boy standing next to him.

Charlet ignored the small boy and narrowed her eyes at Draco, "Your Mother is quite upset with you for not returning. We had to eat lunch on our own and I had to leave my packages with the clerk since no one was around to carry them. She's also very upset with Severus and vows not to talk to him ever again!"

"Right," Draco shrugged, "She'll be groveling at his feet the moment he beckons." He reached down and grabbed Harry's hand, pulling him over to the box of toys.

Harry couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful girl with crystal blue eyes and hair the same color as his. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

Charlet's glare flicked down to Harry. She noticed his worn out pants with frayed edges and shirt with a mended collar. "So, you've turned into the house elf, have you?" Charlet said mockingly at the little boy. "Serves you right for acting like a house elf last night."

"Shut up Charlet!" Both Draco and Ginny said at the same time.

"You shut up Weasley! Why don't you go scrub the toilets like your supposed to!" Charlet spat out in a haughty tone.

"Why don't you …" she was cut off as a dark voice interrupted.

"Enough!" Severus deep voice reverberated in the wood paneled room. No one had noticed him returning through the floo.

Harry turned and without thinking ran up to his new daddy with his arms up. Severus scooped the boy up and was shocked when the child wrapped his arms around his neck and his legs around his body, in a tight hug.

"Daddy your home!" Harry yelled in delight.

Severus ignored the three teens as they laughed mercilessly over Harry calling him Daddy.

"Yes, Harry. Did you have fun with Ginevra?"

Harry nodded and squeezed his daddy tighter. He didn't ever want to be put down. He liked this feeling of being held. "Daddy what's a house elf?"

"Have the house elves returned?" Severus asked Draco. When Draco shook his head Severus pulled his head back to look at Harry, as the boy still clung to him, "Why do you ask?"

Harry pointed a finger at Charlet, "Because she said I turned into a house elf and I acted like one too."

Severus turned a thunderous glare toward his newest ward. Charlet cringed at the look of fury her guardian wore. She pulled herself together and smiled back at the boy. "It was just a joke," she said in a slightly shaky voice.

"Yes, I am sure it was said in a kindly fashion," Severus sneered with disapproval. "You may contemplate your erroneous comments as you clean up this room."

Charlet's mouth dropped open. Imagine having to clean up after a filthy little peasant child! She looked at the toys scattered across the room. She threw her chin up and declared, "Severus, I will not be treated like a servant!"

Severus flicked his wand at his ward and her voice left her. He'd be damned if he was going to listen to her whining all night long. "Once you learn to control your tongue you will gain the privilege of speaking once more. In the mean time I suggest you get to work," the Potion Master's tone was menacing.

Charlet opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. She let giant tears fall down her cheeks as she began picking up the toys, flinging them in the crate with a fury she had never felt before.

Severus ignored the spoiled brat and turned his attention towards Ginevra when she spoke up.

"Professor, we have something we need to speak with you about … in private." Ginny nodded towards Harry as he clung to the Potion Master's neck.

Severus nodded and began to disentangle himself from the small arms and legs, "Harry, I need you to stay here while I speak with Ginevra and Draco."

Harry immediately felt his face flush with humiliation. He knew they would tell his Daddy about his accident. His eyes were pulled to the wet spot on the carpet. He held tighter to his Daddy's neck, "No Daddy, don't leave me again."

Severus pulled the child off his neck and placed the boy on the floor. "Stop fussing, I'll return shortly," he said sharply, in no mood for theatrics. He noticed the accusatory glare Ms. Weasley gave him and softened his tone when he said, "Harry, I promise to return shortly."

Harry knew he would get in trouble once his daddy found out about the accident. He picked up the pony prancing around his feet and held it close.

Severus followed the two teens out into the hallway before shutting the door behind him. His emotions were running high after his meeting with Minister Fudge. He knew he was a little harsh with the boy and vowed to make it up to him.

"Professor Snape, Harry had a little accident on the carpet in your study. Draco and I took him upstairs for a bath and he refused to get undressed in front of us," Ginny explained. She could tell Professor Snape was preparing for the worst when his body tensed up and his jaw tightened.

Draco continued, "He finally agreed once Ginny left but there's something you should know…" Truth be told, Draco was afraid to say this next part. "Um, well … he has some pretty bad bruises down his back and legs. He said his uncle punished him for being a freak."

Severus found he was holding his breath and noisily let it out in a huff. He gathered his emotions and paced in the hallway before turning back to look at the teens. Both Ginny and Draco took a step back over the menacing look on the professor's face. Ginny thought this is what he must have looked like when he was a Death Eater.

"Does the child require a healer?" Severus asked in a sharp tone.

Draco shrugged, "I think you should look for yourself but … try not to look like you do right now. The kid will probably melt into the floor."

Severus closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. "Thank you for your unassailable advice, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you both for watching Harry today. I will be sure to address the issue at hand. You may see yourselves out using the floo in the living room," With that said he stalked back into the study with robes billowing behind him.

Severus halted at the door when he took in the scene before him. Harry was cleaning up the toys as Charlet sat behind his desk. The spoiled girl had her wand out and was silently changing the color of her nail polish with her feet propped up on his papers.

With a swish of his wand the girl's backside hit the floor when her chair disappeared. She stood up with indignation and saw the cold fury on her guardians face. Her mouth opened and closed silently.

Severus jerked his head towards the door, "Get up to your room. You'll be having no supper tonight for shirking your duties. I will restore your voice tomorrow if I see fit."

Charlet grabbed up her cloak and flung it over her shoulder as she passed by him. The cloak hit him in the face and he knew it was not by accident. As Charlet walked down the hall she let out a silent scream as she felt her clothes turn to little more than rags.

Ginny howled with delight as the snobby girl passed by her. Ginny was waiting to use the fireplace in the living room when she saw Charlet running up the stairs dressed in rags. Serves her right for acting so high and mighty! Ginny flooed back to the burrow with a giant smile plastered across her face.

Severus watched his son cleaning furiously at a spot on the carpet. The boy looked to be in a panic as he scrubbed away at the yellowing spot.

When Harry noticed his daddy was staring at him he put his hands up before him and cried out, "Please Daddy, please don't send me back. It won't happen again, I promise!"

Severus went directly to the child and inwardly cringed when the boy covered his head as he approached him. The Potion Master scooped the boy up and held him to his chest, "Calm down Harry. You are not in trouble, accidents happen."

"But I didn't mean to… I'm sorry daddy," Harry crumbled against his father's chest as relief washed through him. He wasn't in trouble, his daddy wasn't angry with him!

Severus sat down on the chair by the fire and continued holding the trembling boy. He shushed him and rubbed small circles on his back. He abruptly stopped when the boy jerked away from his touch.

"Harry, may I see your back?"

"NO, please," the boy pleaded and tried to scramble off his lap.

Severus held firmly to the boy's arm and pulled him back. He unbuttoned the worn out shirt and pulled it off the boy's pale frame. In one swift move he turned the child away from him. He closed his eyes and pushed down the rage he felt towards Dursley. The bruises went beyond the boy's trousers so he turned the child back to face him and noticed silent tears falling.

"Shush now Harry. Everything will work out in the end." Those simple words seemed to settle the child down.

Harry immediately calmed down at hearing those oddly familiar words. He knew he had heard them once before from someone he cared deeply about. He couldn't remember who he heard the words from though. It must have been his mummy but he wasn't sure.

Severus unsnapped the boy's trousers and pushed them down before pulling his knickers down as well. He noticed the boy flush deeply but had to ignore the child's embarrassment. He had to see what damage had been inflicted against his son. He turned the boy around and caught his breath at the sight before him. The bruising was far more extensive than he had originally thought. One slash looked to be infected and oozed forth a yellow liquid amongst various other welt marks.

Severus could only imagine the pain Harry now suffered through so stoically. He called forth the healing potions and carefully applied them. Once that was done he redressed the child silently, not trusting his voice at the moment.

"Are you mad Daddy?" came a soft whisper filled with worry.

"Not at you, son. Children should never be struck. Your uncle is an abominable excuse for a human."

Harry didn't know what abominable meant but he did remember what Draco said about Uncle Vernon, "Yeah, he's a prick."

Severus smirked, wondering who the child had heard that from. Hopefully it was from that skeletal wife Dursley had but he highly doubted it. He held the boy much more gingerly than before, not wanting to aggravate the child's bruising.

"Have you eaten supper yet?" Severus asked as he noticed the clock on the far wall chime eight o'clock.

"No sir, but I'm not very hungry," Harry couldn't remember the last time he had eaten as much food as he did at lunch today. That amount was more than a weeks rations while he lived with the Dursleys. "But, I'll eat if you want me to?"

Severus shook his head, he didn't feel like eating either after seeing the damage his son had been receiving. He noticed the boy looking sad once again, "What is it Harry?"

"It's just that now I won't get cake," Harry said in a matter of fact tone.

"Says who?" Severus called forth the cake from the kitchen and saw his son's eyes open wide as it landed on the coffee table. There was still half of the cake left on the platter. "It's all yours," Severus said knowing full well the child would barely manage to eat a small piece.

Harry climbed off his daddy's lap and picked up the fork from earlier that day. He looked at his father once more and on his daddy's nod he stuck the fork into the sugary confection. The chocolate frosting hung down the sides of his fork then smeared against his face as he pushed the piece into his mouth. He closed his eyes, "Mmm, this is the best cake I ever had." He giggled madly when he realized this was the only cake he ever had.

Severus couldn't believe how much he loved this child. He watched as the boy appreciated every bite he took. He wondered why he had been blessed with this child's presence in his life. He didn't deserve to be the boy's father but he welcomed it whole heartedly.

Severus knelt down on the other side of the coffee table and picked up the oddly shaped fork. "May I?"

Harry nodded with a bubble of laughter, "Sure daddy!"

Severus smiled at the child's merriment before sticking a big piece of chocolate cake into his own mouth.

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TBC

I posted yesterday Sunday October 22 - did you receive the alert that the chapter was up? I haven't received an alert yet - Hope you enjoyed the 19 pages of story in this chappy - let me know what you think. Rachel