Thank you to the betas of this chapter, icedawn12193, and Willofhounds.

Chapter Twelve - Bedtime Stories

Severus was currently sitting in a beanbag chair in Harry's sensory room with the child on his lap after an hour and half of screaming.

Severus was exhausted after getting the child bathed and into his pajamas for the night. He had tried everything he could think of to get Harry into the bath. To letting Harry feel the temperature of the water that was coming out of the tap, extra bubbles along with the toys that Harry wanted to bring. When it came to getting into the tub Harry would scream and fight, getting Severus soaked in the progress.

Severus did come up with a spell by combining two spells together that wouldn't allow the child to lift his arms above his head which in turn would stop the hair-pulling and Harry from harming himself but this only increased the meltdown the child was already having.

While Severus was getting the child ready Poppy took the time to write Molly back, saying that she could come and see Harry with her two youngest. However, they had to be informed about Harry, giving Molly some advice on how to tell her two children before sending the letter off with one of the Hogwarts owls.

"How is he doing?" Poppy asked as she came into the room, looking at the brightly colored bubbles that danced on the ceiling of the room.

"Calm" Severus replied simply, continuing to hold the boy's hands in his as Harry watched the bubbles.

"I just came in to rub some cream on Harry's legs before I left for the night." Poppy explained, sitting down next to the child.

"Wheres Black?" Poppy questioned, taking the cream out and undoing the cap before rolling up one of the child's pant legs.

Harry let out a small moan and shifted a little in Severus' lap but did nothing else as Poppy started to rub the cream into his legs.

"He said something about getting a new wand, I don't know what he expects. He's only been out for a month or so, they aren't going to give him a wand. Most prisoners have to go to a Mind Healer before they can get a new wand." Severus explained.

"He's been gone all day for a wand?" Poppy asks, finding it strange that Black was gone all day if he was just getting a new wand.

Severus only shrugged not really caring where the dog was, as long as he wasn't here.

"I sent a letter off to Molly, I told her she could come next week with the two youngest." Poppy said, seeing the eye roll that Severus gave.

"I'm sure it will be fine, how much can happen with two Weasley?" Poppy said with a small chuckle.

Harry relaxed into Severus' arms as the cream was applied to his legs, feeling the coldness of the cream heat up and stopped the soreness in his legs, the smell of mint that ran through the air making him sleeper as his eyes slowly started to close.

"I think it's time someone got to bed…both of you," Poppy added knowing that Severus hadn't been sleeping that well before rolling down Harry's pant legs before standing up.

"I see you tomorrow Harry'' Poppy said before she left for the night.

Severus let out a small groan as he stood up with Harry in his arms.

"She's right, it's time for bed," Severus said before making his way to his bedroom and setting Harry down on the bed as he got ready for bed himself.

"Story," Harry spoke softly as Severus claimed into his side of the bed.

Severus gave a soft smile as he picked up his copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard and flipped to The Wizard and the Hopping Pot and started to read as a smile spread across Harry's face.

"…I like the pot." Harry muttered, pointing to the picture on the page.

"But don't forget to brush your teethy-pegs!" cried the pot.

"And Wee Willykins kissed and huggled the hoppitty pot and promised always to help the dollies and never to be an old grumpy-wumpkins again." Severus finished the story, closing the book.

"Again," Harry said, tapping the book

"No… we can read again tomorrow night but a little boy needs to go to sleep," Severus told, tucking Harry into bed.

"…Are you a…grumpy-wumpkins?" Harry asks, shocking Severus completely by his question.

"…No…" Severus spoke, confused.

"But…but Min…said you are," Harry admitted.

"Did she? Well, I think the grumpy-wumpkins needs to have a talk with her." Severus said, making Harry giggle.

"Now go to sleep," Severus said, kissing Harry on top of the head before laying down himself.