The Vow And It's Consequences

Chapter 17

Setting A Routine

Harry groggily opened his eyes, a large yawn breaking out on his face, looking around in apparent confusion until he realized where he was. Some part of him suspected it was still a dream, a lovely dream, but still at the end of the day a dream. Yet each time he poked at himself, it hurt, it wasn't supposed to hurt in dreams right? It was the only reprieve the child had from the constant pain at the Dursley's. Harry didn't think he'd ever get used to being on such a comfortable bed, and in clothes that actually fit him. Severus was a freak like him, he just knew it, he'd made that book come out of nowhere. Harry noticed the picture of his mum was on the nightstand, now in a photo frame. Sitting up in the bed, keeping his covers around him, cherishing the warmth. He picked it up and gazed at it, she was so beautiful, nothing like his aunt, he wasn't sure what to feel towards her, he'd dreamed she loved him, but did he love her in turn? Yes, he did. She'd died for him, at least that's what Severus had said anyway. He wasn't sure who to believe, but he'd more likely to believe Severus than the Dursley's. the Dursley's had never been kind to him, so why should he believe them? They lied to everyone, especially about him. Telling them how bad he was, how much trouble he caused, how he destroyed everything even the clothes he got. Which wasn't true, he knew that, they never gave him anything.

"Awake already?" asked Severus causing Harry to whip around, how he didn't get whiplash was anyone's guess. He made a note to himself not to sneak upon the child, he was jumpier than a grasshopper. Which would be extremely difficult to do, he was a quite man by nature.

"Yes sir," said Harry his eyes wide and weary. Still expecting punishments to come his way, it would take a long time before he felt truly comfortable.

"Come, Harry," said Severus walking through to the bathroom, he immediately began filling the tub with water adding apple bubble bath, something he'd owl ordered along with a lot of other stuff. The water went a little greenish not something he'd like but children apparently did. The smell of apples surrounded the room. "Undress and get into the bath. I'll wash your hair and leave you, the toys are yours to play with as you wish."

Harry stared for a few seconds, as if he couldn't comprehend what the man was saying. The thought of the nice warm bath kicked him into action. He kept his eyes on Severus' hands the entire way forward after taking off the pyjamas. Severus helped Harry into the bath, ignoring the flinch, he really was very small, too tiny for a five year old. It was trying to help him into the bath that made him realize this, Draco could do this himself now.

"Lie down," said Severus kneeling on the floor, wetting the hair until it was soaked before adding the shampoo, lathering it in he waited a few seconds before he began washing it out with a jug at the side of the bath. Once he was done he helped Harry sit up, nonverbally casting a spell so Harry couldn't slip under the water. "Shout on me when you want out, do you understand Harry? don't try and get out by yourself."

"Yes sir," said Harry.

"Good boy," said Severus, placing some of the toys into the bath, aware that Harry probably wouldn't do it himself. Once that was done Severus gratefully got up, glad to be off his knees. Leaving the bathroom, he kept the door open so he could hear Harry when he was finished. Opening the cupboard door he grabbed a pair of trousers, and a jumper, opening the drawer at the bottom of his cupboard he took out underwear and socks and the second one a t-shirt. Placing them on the bed, he sat down feeling at a loose end. He wasn't used to having nothing to do, from the moment he got up his day was packed with one thing or another.

"Sir?" called a voice, "I'm finished."

Severus looked at the watch, the child had only been in for five minutes, if that at all. Shaking off his thoughts, Harry would learn sooner or later that he'd never hurt him. It wouldn't matter what he did, because Harry had to realize it on his own. He could tell him a million times but it would just be met with disbelief. Sometimes he worried Harry wouldn't, Severus himself, could remember things that happened to him when he was five. There was no doubt Harry always would as well, was Harry beyond hope?

"Come on then little one," said Severus hoisting Harry out by gripping his underarms. Once his feet were safely on the mat he wrapped him in a small towel. Then guided them both to the bedroom again. It took longer to get him dressed than it had for Harry to have a bath. The irony wasn't lost on Severus.

"How would you like some brunch outside?" asked Severus kneeling in front of Harry. No doubt the child was hardly used to being outside, and when he was probably constantly hiding from his damn dunderhead cousin.

"Yes sir," said Harry saying what he thought was the right answer.

Severus just shook his head wryly, "Then lets go." said Severus, taking the child outside into the gardens. They were large, green and beautiful, a child could loose themselves in it for weeks. If not for their rumbling stomachs of course. He had with him a few toy's Harry could play with. Including the broomstick, but he didn't think Harry was ready for anything like that yet.

After lunch he planned on telling Harry about magic and asking him about Figg. Only then would be decide how to deal with the squib. If she knew, whether she was coerced or not she'd pay. He wasn't a forgiving soul, and had no desire to be one either.

Quite possibly the smallest chapter I've ever written in a VERY long time, unfortunately ive just spent the entire night trying to figure out what was wrong with my computer. my Internet Explorer had stopped working yet my net was on! . drove me crazy trying to figure it out but I got there in the end thankfully I'll make it up to you all tomorrow with an extra long chapter of a story...sorry guys! anyway would Severus have the guts to kill her? or will he confront her? in the meantime would you like to see someone do accidental magic making harry realize maybe he isn't a freak or will we see that happening further on in the story? R&R PLEASE!