Chapter 2, Comfort

Severus came out of the apparition in his second, unused and unknown home. The home that not a soul knew about. Not a soul except for Harry, now. He would have to key Harry into the wards later. For now he carried the frail little boy to a nearby couch in the dark sitting room, gently laying him down.

"Stay there, Harry. I will light a fire and start getting things ready for you." Severus said kindly and turned to the fireplace. He flicked his wand and a fired instantly roared to life. A gasp sounded behind him from Harry and he smiled, turning around.

"That's only a tiny amount of what I have to teach you, Harry." He turned towards the far wall." Tilly." He said in a calm demand, a sharp snap later, his little house-elf appeared.

"Tilly, this is Harry Potter. He will be staying with us from now on, you will listen and do as he requests. If you believe that what he requests may be dangerous or that I will not approve, report it to me first before you do what he demands."

The little house-elf bowed. "Yes, Master Severus."

Severus nodded before continuing. "Transfer all of my things here from the other house, including the lab. After that is all done, I need you to go to Diagon Alley and purchase Master Harry a few sets of robes, some pajamas, a bed, and all the fixings for Master Harry's new bedroom and bathroom.

You may also pick him out a gift, it is his birthday. You know my standards and young Master Harry here does not know what he likes yet so a get a small variety." Severus glanced at Harry a few times as he spoke but the young boy wasn't paying them any attention. He seemed very relaxed, tucked deeply in the couch and staring into the leaping, crackling flames.

His heart ached at the sight, it would be clear to anyone who saw the young boy at this moment that he had never felt safe enough to relax before. Within moments the young boy was asleep. Severus smiled and silently left the room, he had a lot of work to do.

Severus's Manor had been a parting gift from Lilly that she had never told James about. He had never used it though because it had been too painful to be here and be reminded of her at every turn. But he figured that having Harry with him now would be a good reason to finally use it.

All he had to do now was some delicate spell work to cover Harry's tracks so that Albus couldn't find him when he inevitably came looking for his (toy). Severus had never hated the older Man, always had a sort of respect for him even, but with today's discovery... He had never hated anyone more than how he now hated Albus Dumbledore.

If Harry didn't want the honor for himself, Severus would kill that old, sick fool.

His house itself was completely untraceable. There weren't many pocket dimension plots anymore, so Severus was rather lucky to have one of the remaining plots. The magic that was once well known on how to create them had vanished with time, no one alive had the knowledge to create them.

It took Tilly only an hour to do everything Severus had asked. He told her to prepare a hearty but a small meal with a selection of sweet fruits and whipped cream for dessert. Harry would have a cake the next year when he was healthy and could handle eating such a confectionery.

Severus took one of the new sets of robes and laid it out over Harry's new bed. Happy with the layout of the bedroom he started back through the manor to collect Harry.

Coming back into the sitting-room he froze just inside the door when he saw Harry standing only inches from the fireplace. His eyes open but glazed over, it was clear he was somewhere deep in his mind. Severus approached slowly and called out softly. "Harry?"

The young boy turned his head in Severus's direction but he found no focus on him. Severus took a few more cautious steps closer but did not touch him. "Harry." still the boy did not respond besides a small head movement. Worried now, Severus spoke a little louder.

"Harry, it's Severus. Can you come out and talk to me?" At first, only the young man's eyes narrowed in confusion. Then finally the light came back and Harry blinked a few times. He looked up at Severus and smiled.

"Yes?" Harry asked.

Severus withheld a sigh and slowly picked up one of Harry's small fragile hands in his and nearly winced at how boney they felt. "Follow me, Harry, I have some new clothes for you to put on and I want to show you your new room."

Harry was nearly bouncing by the time Severus finished speaking. "New clothes!! New bedroom!!" Harry exclaimed very happily but shortly turned to Severus in curious, fright. "Are they are all mine? Only mine?"

He smiled softly and gave a gentle squeeze to the boy's little hand. "Yes, Harry. They are yours and only yours." Harry smiled again and started walking, his hand never leaving Severus's.

In the last hallway, Severus paused and pulled Harry to a stop. "Harry, never again will you have to share your things unless you WANT to share them. Or if I give you something and tell you that it's meant to be shared. But most importantly, no one will ever be able to TAKE your things away either. "He emphasized those two words carefully so Harry would understand the weight of them.

Harry smiled once more and nodded. "Thank you, Severus." Severus smiled in return and lead him the rest of the way to their rooms. He stopped at a pair of doors. One on the left and one on the right. He used his free hand to the point to the left. "This is my bedroom, only enter if given permission, unless it is an emergency." Harry nodded and turned to the other door.

"That is your new room, Harry. I put us across from each other so I could get to you fast if you needed help." Harry nodded again and looked back at the door. "Can I go in now?" Severus laughed a little at that and nodded. "Yes, of course, it is your room. You may go in whenever you desire." He hadn't even finished speaking and Harry was at the door throwing it open.

He walked in and looked around at the light grey walls and small, red cherry wood desk and chair. He ran to the large window by his bed and looked outside at the small flower garden. Little gasps of excitement and joy escaping him as his eyes found each new thing in the room.

He darted across the room with easy agility and threw open the bathroom door. He walked in and turned in a circle taking in the walk-in shower, shallow floor level tub, and sink with a huge mirror.

Severus did notice that Harry carefully avoided looking in the mirror. He frowned slightly at that but thought he could probably guess why.

"WOW!! The loo has its own room?" Harry exclaimed, stepping out of the small loo. Severus couldn't help but laugh at that. "Yes Harry, it does." He pointed at the tub and then to the sink.

"I had Tilly fix everything to your hight so that you wouldn't need a stool to reach anything and the tub is shallow so I have less reason to worry about you drowning in there. As you grow and get bigger we will make them bigger to fit you."

Harry smiled and walked back out of the bathroom, his eyes finally landing on the bed. He stops moving and looks back up at Severus, tears evident in the little boy's eyes. He simply nods in encouragement at the young boy.

Harry walks over to the bed and very very carefully picks up the top shirt as though he is afraid to even touch it. Severus closes his eyes and breathes through the hot fury that races in his veins. He will make those evil bastards pay. Make them regret they ever laid a single filthy muggle hand on such a sweet innocent boy.

Thinking back to what Harry had done to those young muggles today...maybe he wasn't quite so innocent anymore. But that didn't affect how Severus felt about him a bit. He would have liked to have seen what Harry had done though.

Harry finally pulled the shirt close to his chest and then without warning he turned and ran to Severus. Not stopping until he was pressed tightly against him, and then he started sobbing. Long, painfilled, gut-wrenching sadness filled each loud sob and Severus sank to his knees, wrapping his arms tightly around Harry.

He brought one hand up to the back of the young boy's head and just held him there in a tight embrace for several long minutes. He closed his dark eyes and just let the fury wash out of him for the time being. There was plenty of time for that later when Harry didn't require all of his attention.

After a while, Harry's sobs finally started dying down and soon they stopped altogether. Severus held him close, saying nothing until Harry was ready and started pulling back. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the wetness. Severus couldn't help but grin at the cute action.

He took Harry's hands in his, effectively stopping the eye rubbing. "I can do that much quicker if you'll let me?" Harry nodded with a small smile.

Severus flicked his wand in a single bent stroke and suddenly Harry's eyes were dry and he was laughingly happily at the interesting feeling of the tears drying up so fast.

"Magic can do so many things!" Harry stated in wonder. Staring at Severus's wand. His eyes wide in thought. "The first rule I want to teach you, Harry is that if magic is studied and practiced well enough it can grant you everything you desire." Severus said with a stern but kind voice. Then added in the same tone but with a hint of warning. "But some dark magic requires sacrifice and or some of it will have severe consequences.

There are some bits of magic that can kill it's Caster just as easily as it would the person you direct it at." Harry looked deep in thought for a moment and Severus had to remind himself that this little boy was more grown than any 7 year old he'd ever met, mainly because of what had been happening to him before Severus had found him.

Coming out of it, Harry looked up at Severus his eyes bright and excited. "When can I learn those?" Severus laughs at the unexpected response and shakes his head.

"Sorry Harry but that is magic to be learned when your older and can better understand what your magic is capable of." Harry looked a little irritated, like he wanted the fight the subject but thought better of it. "Would you like to put on your new clothes?" At that Harry was happily nodding and turning to the clothes.

Severus turned to leave the room and give Harry some privacy when a small hand found his fingers. Then all of Harry was wrapped around Severus and he spoke in desperate fear. "Don't...don't leave me alone."

Severus grimaced and let a sigh escape, he put a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "Okay, I won't leave. You never have to be alone again if you don't want to." Harry nodded and took a step back, his eyes wet with tears.

"Okay let's get you into your new clothes and then I have a few gifts for you to open. " Severus said with a nod at the bed. Harry's eyes shot wide at the mention of the gifts but turned back the clothes.

He pulled his baggy shirt off and tossed it to the floor. Severus looked back at the young boy and stumbled back at the sight. Fresh nausea rolled in his stomach. Harry was so covered in bruises and scars that there was almost no patches of unscarred or unbruised skin.

"Tilly." He spoke with more force than necessary. When she appeared and saw Harry, she understood his anger. "Yes, Master Severus."

"Go down to my lab, fetch several healing potions, and a new scar skin potion as well." The little house-elf nodded and vanished. She was back seconds later. Harry was watching them as he finished dressing, his green eyes lit with curiosity.

"What are potions?" He asked with keen interest, looking at the little multi-colored vials in Severus's hands. "They are drinks most commonly, that can do a vast number of amazing things. Though they taste downright awful." He handed the first uncorked vial to Harry.

"Drink the whole thing, it will help your bruises heal much faster and soothe the pain." Harry nodded and took the potion. He eyed it carefully for a moment before bringing it to his lips and swallowing it in one go. He looked down hastily at himself to watch, a giggle escaping his lips.

"I can feel the pain going away! I forgot what it feels like to not be in pain every day." He said with glee and cried out in astonishment when most of his bruises began to fade away until only a large bruise on his hip remained. But even that was halfway healed and mostly a pale purple now.

Now Severus had to fight himself from looking away from how very thin Harry was. He could see taut skin stretching over his elbows, hips and ribs. His shoulderblades are clearly defined and hollow. Severus handed Harry another healing potion for the cuts, bites, and scars, then another for nutrition and finally the new scar skin potion that would help Harry get rid of the more permanent scars.

Harry downed them all with barely a grimace and Severus couldn't help but be proud. He helped Harry get dressed an only looked away when Harry removed his old disgusting underwear and slid on his new soft boxers.

When Harry was dressed Severus led him through the house to the dining room closest to their rooms. Pointing out the library and a few sitting rooms they passed. Upon reaching the dining room Severus sat Harry down at the table next to his place at the head of the large table.

Tilly popped in and out, placing dishes of steaming hot food on the table. Lightly seasoned roast chicken, roasted broccoli and carrots, and mashed potatoes. Severus watched Harry's eager face as he began to put small amounts of food on the boy's plate.

A small scoop of mash, a few little heads of broccoli, a chicken leg, and a couple carrots. "If you can't eat it all, don't force yourself. Go slow." The young boy looked at him in disbelief. "This is all for me?" Severus smiled softly and nodded.

A while later, Harry had eaten almost all the food on his plate except for a couple of bites of mash. Now he was rubbing his eyes and yawning. Severus chuckled and helped Harry up from his chair. "Let's finish the evening in the sitting room, hmm?" Harry nodded a bit sleepily.

Once they were both comfortably sitting and the fire roaring Severus called for Tilly to bring in Harry's birthday gifts.

Five presents wrapped in simple black wrapping of a variety of shapes and sizes now sat on the couch next to him and he kept looking between them and Severus. "Happy 7th Birthday, Harry. Go on, open them. They are all yours."

A wide grin appeared on Harry's face and he began opening all the gifts. Severus laughed a few times at some of the curious faces Harry made as he revealed each new gift.

Tilly had gotten him first a charmed picture book that would speak to only Harry and teach him all the basic colors, numbers, and letters. Harry struggled to want to put that one aside. Next was a second one like the first but this one taught him the names and sounds of common objects and animals, like clouds and wind.

He also received a beginner's potion kit from Severus, to start teaching him, a practice wand that would help Harry learn the basics, and lastly a new black velvet wizards hat that Harry promptly put on his head. He giggles happily, playing with his new books.

Lastly Severus had Tilly bring out the fruit and whipped cream. Harry smiled very happily and ate a small portion before continuing to play. Severus watched Harry play until he saw him starting to drift off into sleep on one of his books. He scooped him up gently, Harry's head resting comfortably on Severus's chest. By the time they reached Harry's room, the young boy was fast asleep.

Severus laid him to bed, cast a nightlight of softly glowing stars across Harry's ceiling, and left the room silently. He went across the hall to his rooms and readied himself for bed. A few hours later Severus blearily blinked his eyes, trying to figure out what had woken him.

A soft movement at his side brought his attention to a warm bundle at his side, a tuft of hair was all he could see sticking up from under the edge of the blanket. He frowned and very gently lifted the blanket just enough to see that Harry was tightly curled up against his side, fast asleep.

Severus almost sighed aloud at the sight but managed to hold it in and smiled sleepily instead. He put the blanket back down and set himself back to sleep. He would ask Harry about this tomorrow.