The Vow And It's Consequences

Chapter 13

A Start

Severus waited for Harry to reply, but the five year old seemed incapable of answering. He was just sitting on the bed quacking in fear, seeing those green eyes, Lily's eyes, so full of terror set him on edge. He was beginning to wonder if he should have taken on this role. It made him feel things he didn't like feeling, those eyes had always been his greatest weakness. No, he couldn't think like that, he'd failed the child once, he couldn't do it again. He knew he was the only one that would truly be able to raise Harry as a normal child. Harry's past would make people too sympathetic towards him, and he'd be spoiled. It wasn't that Harry didn't deserve some spoiling, but not to the extent others would. He needed grounded, level headedness, most importantly love. When it came to love, he knew he could love the child, it was showing him that would be difficult. As it stood, he didn't have to worry about that as of yet, since the child would hate to be touched in any manner.

"Flippy?" called Severus, waiting patiently for the house elf to appear before him.

"Yes Master Severus?" asked Flippy, refraining from bowing since it was obvious to her that he did not like it. His big eyes found the child on the bed, he looked terrified, his eyes were rather large, perhaps it was him? The child had evidently not encountered a house elf before.

"Bring up some lunch, with milk. Also bring me one of the vials from the Potions Lab." said Severus. It was a good job he'd brewed the potion, Harry evidently wasn't going to calm down on his own. He could see it from the child's point of view; he was in a strange place with a strange man after all. Once the elf was away, Severus took the chair from the side of the room and sat down beside the bed.

"That was Flippy, Harry." Severus told the child, using a tone of voice he rarely used. Hoping it would sooth the child, it had worked wonders with Draco as a child. Especially when he was very fussy, and crying. "He is a house elf." refraining from taking about magic for now. At least until he had the calming draught consumed. He wanted to flinch from the fear still present in those eyes. Yet he just steeled himself, reminding himself that one day that fear would no longer be there. That sometime in the future Harry would be happy. Hopefully.

Flippy appeared back in the room, a tray filled with food and drink was placed on the bedside table. He didn't stick around, knowing his Master would call again if he was needed. It was going to be great, having a young master in the house again. The last baby had been Eileen Prince, and she was long gone.

"Harry?" said Severus, getting the child's attention, "Drink this for me." handing over the now opened vial, he had little doubt the child would do exactly as he was told. Abuse that severe, Harry was probably terrified to step a toe out of line. He waited patiently, hand extended for the boy to gather his courage and take it. He kept his face impassive, and was rewarded with the child reaching out with a shaking hand to take it.

All Harry knew were orders, his mind automatically wondered what would happen if he drank it. What was it? What would it taste like? More importantly what would happen to him if he didn't take it and drink it? He said none of those thoughts, like a normal child would. Instead he reached out to take it, surprised the man hadn't just grabbed him and forced him. His Uncle would have already hurt him, realizing he was pushing his luck with the stranger he drank it. It tasted awful, like those dirty socks Dudley had shoved in his mouth one day when he was beating him up. Then suddenly all his fear, worry, terror, uncertainty and confusion seemed to fade away. He felt calm, at peace perhaps? He did not know because these feelings were foreign to him. It was like being back in his cupboard, safe from everyone who wished him harm.

"Harry?" Severus said quietly, removing the vial from the rather lax fingers. It had been a junior potion; it shouldn't have affected him so much. Then again none of the children, who'd been tested (and drank the potion when it was needed), had been so severely underweight. He did not think he'd get much out of the child before sleep claimed him again. He got up and sat on the edge of the bed, propping Harry against his chest. He had to eat, even if it was only a little. He knew if he'd done this without the potion, Harry would have no doubt ended up having a panic attack. "Here, drink this." he said pressing the goblet to the child's lips. "Drink." he repeated when Harry didn't comply.

Harry opened his mouth, and allowed whatever it was, slide into his very dry and horribly tasting mouth. He was very surprised that it actually tasted nice that he almost choked it back out. It was so very cool and cold going down his dry parched throat. It tasted nothing like the only thing he'd ever drank, the water he always had from the bathroom tap. When he went to the toilet he'd always try and sneak a drink. To try and fill his tummy up with it, so it didn't grumble quite so loudly.

Severus sighed in relief when Harry actually began drinking the milk. He was by no means a stupid man. He knew to get the bones, which had just been mended, strong you need to consume a lot of calcium. He had a lot to do, it seemed endless really. Once Harry had drained the goblet he put it aside, and awkwardly, began trying to get him to eat the lentil soup. Unfortunately Harry just couldn't stomach any more than three spoonfuls. Severus was surprised he'd managed as much; very much aware that Harry's stomach was probably the size of golf ball at this stage. It would take a long while before he could eat a proper meal. Even longer before he could eat solid foods.

Looking down, he noticed Harry's eyes were half mast, he had been correct in his assumption. The potion had ended up easing Harry to sleep; he'd need to water it down if it continued to have this affect. He could hardly gain his trust by drugging him so much he was completely out of it. The potion was intended to calm them down only, plus he had so much he needed to tell Harry. Curiously enough, Harry hadn't seemed to catch on that the house elf had Apparated and Disappeared in his presence. Either that or he knew about magic and accepted it. Knowing Petunia as he did, he doubted it, but Harry could have figured it out on his own. Could a five year old have figured out about magic? No, it was impossible. No doubt Tuney had banned such words from her household.

Harry felt so very odd, it was so weird not feeling fear, hurt, all consuming hunger and panic. He felt so free, light and normal…and so very sleepy. His closed against his will, he never normally fell asleep with someone so close to him. If he'd been able, his eyes would have sprung open. He could feel himself being tucked in; nobody had ever tucked him in before. The last thing he heard was fading footsteps before sleep finally claimed him completely.

Harry had finally found a home at last.

It took Minerva hours, sitting in her office alone, to get a hold of herself. All she had learned had continued to circulate around her mind. Driving her insane, making her anger and disgust triple fold. In the end she had to get one of the house elves to bring her up a calming draught and tea. Poor Harry, thank Merlin Severus had seen him; otherwise she dreaded to think the outcome. She shuddered at the thought of opening the Daily Prophet one day, the body of a seven year old sprayed out for all to see and a horrific title. Drinking her Tea, hoping it would warm her up, but she just felt cold despite the warmth of the fire and tea. She desperately wanted someone to talk to, but there was absolutely nobody. She couldn't risk letting anyone in, it was hard to trust anyone, and life such as it is even after war was over.

She thought she could have trusted Albus Dumbledore with her every thought. Look how that one had turned out, Merlin, binding a one year old child's magic the night he'd just witnessed his parent's deaths. As if watching his parents murdered wasn't traumatic enough. She shuddered at the mere thought of locking even one percent of someone's magic. Never mind the seventy five percent Severus said was bound. It would need to be someone more powerful than Albus or a ritual that would need performed to free Harry's core. Not many were more powerful than Albus. She suspected Severus was more powerful than him. Severus was just too good at Occlumency and Legilimens to not be more…powerful than both Dumbledore and of course the Dark Lord. He had remained a spy in his ranks for three years perhaps? Keeping his true allegiance from being found out. Plus his potions were more potent than anyone else's. He put a lot of magic into them, stirring his very essence into the simmering potions.

She placed her empty cup back on its saucer; she had a staff meeting, an emergency one at that. She didn't see why it took all of them to discuss Severus leaving, and possible Potion candidates. Yet the meetings were all mandatory, only students' needing help was their 'out clause' so to speak, to avoid the meeting with reason. Swallowing thickly, she nodded to herself and put on a brave front. It would be hard, not to call Dumbledore up on his deplorable actions. She had to give Severus and Harry the time they needed. Severus had spoken the truth; Dumbledore had a lot of pull in the Ministry, as Head of the Wizengamot. Nothing would stop him apparently, why he was going into so much trouble to control a little boy she did not know.

"Ah, Minerva, I was beginning to think you'd forgotten!" said Albus beaming at her from across the room.

Minerva had visions of herself, throwing her hands around his neck and choking the life out of him. Casting spells on her, showing him just how powerful she really was, giving him a taste of it. Yet a strained smile appeared on her face, as she took her seat, which was as always, right next to the very man she'd recently learned damning things about.

"Minerva are you well?" asked Sprout staring at the deputy Headmistress in concern. Her warm brown eyes, showed genuine worry for Minerva's welfare. She looked pale and clammy, as though she was coming down with something. Her smile seemed very strained, she wasn't her usual self.

"You do look under the weather, perhaps you should go and see Poppy?" suggested Albus, his blue eyes filled with unease for his transfiguration teacher. He hadn't seen Minerva unwell for a long time.

"I'm fine," said Minerva her voice stern, making her sound more like her normal self. "Don't worry, I'm fine honestly." she said much more softly, aiming it towards Professor Sprout. The woman in turn nodded, still looking a little worried, but her concern had eased considerably.

"As you are no doubt aware, Severus Snape has resigned as our esteemed Potions Master, thankfully its summer and we have enough time to look for a replacement. Does anyone know any suggestions who could replace him?" asked Albus, there were only a few people still at Hogwarts this summer. Minerva, Filius, Sprout, Poppy and of course himself.

"Why not bring the previous Potions teacher back?" suggested Filius; "I know he didn't want to retire so early." no Albus had practically told him to retire. Of course Slughorn hadn't fought it, his guilt eating him up inside. Not that anyone realized this of course, Slughorn was good at denying anything had ever happened.

"Slughorn? He isn't exactly teacher material." said Sprout, she remembered him. He'd constantly held clubs in his own name, with people who were well connected. He had not been a good teacher or head of house.

"I have to agree," said Minerva.

"We may not have a choice, there are not many qualified Potion Masters," said Albus quietly, subdued. He wasn't happy at having to replace Severus; he had been a great teacher. Even if he didn't have the social skills required to make the students like him.

"I spoke to Severus, he's settled in quite nicely," said Minerva, "Unfortunately he didn't get to talk as long as I would have liked. Someone asked for his help and he left, said he would get back in touch when he could."

"They put you through?" asked Albus surprised and rather angry, none of which showed upon his face. He had called twice, and only got the reception; he had asked to speak to Severus but had been denied. She'd said he wasn't accepting calls and asked him, him of all people if he wanted to leave a message.

"Yes," said Minerva, "I do not think I've seen him so content before." happy would be stretching it, Severus according to the world was never happy.

"Indeed," said Albus his face now the one that was strained. "I shall hold interviews next week for potential teachers. Has everyone finished their class schedules and after school club rosters?"

"Everyone has sent them to me," said Minerva, "Myself and the others staying just have to decide upon our times and dates for the after school clubs." the others all nodded in agreement. They'd completed their schedules last week, it was the first thing they did. They liked clear schedules before the students came back. That way they only had the summer homework mark upon the school resuming.

"Very well, now it just needs decided upon for this year Prefects and the head boy and girl." said Albus nodding in agreement.

"Can that not be discussed next week? I am undecided on whom to choose." said Minerva, "I need to look over their academic records, to make sure I am making the right decision."

"Of course," said Albus agreeably, it was a tough decision to make after all. "Then let's consider this meeting adjourned."

Minerva was the first person to get up, she had plans to make and quickly. Once she was in the safety of her office, she Floo'ed the travel agency and booked a holiday. It wasn't for her of course, but rather for Arabella Figg. She didn't deserve a holiday, but judging by Severus' demand she knew something would happen there. Hopefully Severus wouldn't kill Figg, she may deserve many things but Death wasn't it.

"Where do you want to go?" asked her travel agent, Colin.

"I am not going, I'm booking it for a friend of mine, and she's a squib. I think America might be a good place to let her visit, Florida perhaps?" suggested Minerva. "Book it for tomorrow, send a Portkey as well."

"Tomorrow? That will be costly." said Colin half amused half impressed.

"Cost is of no consequence." said Minerva, not if it kept her new godson safe anyway. "Pick an area, can you Floo over with the travel documents? The name on the documents are for Arabella Figg."

"Of course, I can have it done in ten minutes, I assume it's a Muggle area she will prefer to travel?" asked Colin.

"Yes, thank you Colin." said Minerva.

"Very well," said Colin knowing he was being dismissed before disconnected the Floo from his office. He immediately began the process of booking the holiday, it wasn't the first time a holiday had been booked for Arabella Figg. So he already had all her details, true to his words, ten minutes later he had a holiday booked for the squib. None had ever been done on such short notice before though.

"Severus? How are things?" enquired Minerva, as she made an appearance in his fireplace. She had spent hours going through the files to get the Floo address. Her plans were going rather well, and now she just wanted to know how poor Harry was.

"How did you get the Floo address?" asked Severus, his eyes flashing in true anger.

"Don't be obtuse Severus, if you do not remember I taught your mother here as well. All information is kept, including how to get in touch with the parents in the event of an emergency." said Minerva. Only the wizarding population had Floo networks of course, the Muggle born population had to be sent letters unfortunately. Eileen hadn't been a Gryffindor so it made it exceedingly harder to find information without alerting anyone of what she was up to.

"Of course," said Severus feeling all kinds of foolish.

"How is he?" asked Minerva, she wouldn't leave until she had gotten then the information she desired.

"He's as well as can be expected," said Severus repeating his earlier words to her.

"Severus," warned Minerva, exasperated.

"Minerva, he's been terribly abused, he finds himself in a strange house with a strange man - how do you expect him to be?" said Severus just as exasperated as Minerva was. "He was terrified, I had to give him a calming draught, which worked a little too well, and no doubt he will sleep the rest of the night." he'd wanted to keep it from her, how bad Harry actually was, but she obviously wasn't having any of it.

"Poor boy," said Minerva, "Do you need anything for him? Toys? Clothes? I can supply some, it wont raise questions with me buying them." she had niece and nephews after all. She had raised him, they were technically her children, she'd adopted them in as her own after her sister and her husband died during the war. Not many knew that piece of information; she was a very private person.

"I have already gotten all I'll need for now, Narcissa was kind in giving me at least one of everything a five year old will need." said Severus. "I thank you for your offer; I might take up on it later."

"He has teddies? They might offer him at least some measure of comfort." asked Minerva, all children loved cuddly toys, even if boys at his age were self conscious about it and would deny it.

"Actually no, nothing like that," said Severus.

"Then I shall get him something." said Minerva, determinedly. "I also sent Arabella her tickets; she leaves tomorrow morning at five AM. Hopefully she won't notice anything out of the ordinary until then."

"Considering the child probably never got to leave the house I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't notice anything." said Severus wryly. Plus Petunia would try her best to make everything look 'Normal'. She knew he kept his words, and Petunia would be terrified he'd be back for her and her family.

"What makes you think he didn't get to?" asked Minerva.

"He was badly abused Minerva, someone would have noticed something surely?" said Severus tersely. He didn't like the thought of someone knowing and failing to take action against someone abusing a child. He himself weren't fond of children, yet he'd never consider leaving one in the hands of his abusers.

"What if someone has complained?" replied Minerva, not liking where her own suggestions were going.

"I don't suppose it matters if anyone has, he's safe now." said Severus.

"If someone has, it's better to get the whole picture, the more evidence Harry has in his favour the more likely he has of getting the Dursley's arrested." said Minerva quietly.

"Perhaps, then I suggest a visit to Privet Drive and the social Services are in order." said Severus, it was true, the more evidence he had the better it would be. Especially if Dumbledore somehow prevented Veritaserum from being used.

"Albus is attending the Ministry tomorrow afternoon, perhaps we can meet up then and begin?" suggested Minerva.

"Yes, the sooner the better," said Severus, he didn't know how far along in his revenge Lucius was. He would need to get in touch with him, find out more information.

"Very well, I shall Floo over at Two PM, have the network open." said Minerva.

"OF course," said Severus nodding in agreement. "Where is she?" he then asked.

"America, Florida, I shall give you the full details when we meet." replied Minerva.

"Good," said Severus nodding his head in understanding, with that Minerva left the Floo network. Severus made a mental note to change the Floo address, if Minerva was able to do it, then there was no doubt Dumbledore would if he even suspected Severus had his inheritance and was lying. Which he would soon, considering he would no longer get the statements (if it was him) but he had a feeling he was correct in regards to Dumbledore's actions. He was just grateful he'd kept up a correspondence with two Potions Master's who were helping him. They hadn't demanded anything, it was the mutual respect they had for each other that had them doing the others bidding. Of course there was always the fact he would owe them a favour. Severus was an honourable man and he would repay it when the time came.

Staring at the grandfather clock, he realized he would need to get into a routine. Harry may get up early in the morning, and he knew he'd need all the sleep he could get. He was very grouchy in the morning without some decent sleep, who was he kidding he was grouchy no matter what. Smirking at his own thoughts, he made his way to his bedroom. Showering, brushing his teeth he went to bed, reading a bit of potions weekly waiting on his hair drying naturally. His mind drifted from the magazine every few minutes. Wondering if he should tell Harry straight away, or if he should let Harry get used to him before revealing magic. He was deeply conflicted, there was so many ways it could go wrong. He only got one chance and if he screwed it up that was it.

He finally understood how parents felt all the time; Lucius had often spoken of being conflicted when it came to Draco. You live and learn though, he had a feeling he'd be learning quite a lot in the coming years. Harry wasn't a normal child, like Draco was; he would need special attention and handling, especially when it came to being punished. Yes, the boy would end up punished, especially when he became more used to his new life. He'd test Severus, and he realized this, he would need to make sure not to screw up. It was just the matter of what kind of punishment would be suitable. The Muggles liked to put their child in the corner, for 'quiet time' when they were bad. At least that's what Lily's mother had done with Petunia and Lily. Not that it had been done often; Lily was always a good girl. It was most Petunia who'd had her nose in the wall. For calling Lily names, it had infuriated Rose and Liam Evans when their daughter came out with such horrible names. It would have broken their hearts to know what Petunia had done to her own son and Lily's, their grandchildren. For the first time, he was glad they had died so they weren't around to see it.

He consoled himself with the fact he wasn't alone, he had Narcissa, Lucius and Minerva to help.

sorry guys ive been busy for the past few days! so will severus have lily's will read? will there be a surprise in store? will she have asked him to raise her son if anything happened? will she have known Severus was the spy who conveyed the message of their danger to Dumbledore? doesn't take a genius to figure it out after all how many Death Eaters would have warned a 'mudblood' they were in danger? duh only one :P lol R&R