The Vow And It's Consequences

Chapter 18

Not To Lie

Harry looked around the grounds; there were animals outside, ones he couldn't even begin to name. Harry unfortunately couldn't name many animals, he'd never been allowed out of Privet Drive. He knew cats and a few of the different types of cats you could get, thanks to Arabella Figg. Other than that he was clueless, and uneducated. Fortunately he was only five years old, and he would get the chance to make up for the maliciousness of those Harry had grown up around. The place was really big, too big if he had to tend to it. His Aunt always made him do all the garden work, well not just that but the house work too. Harry felt very lost, he had gone from trying to be invisible, and avoid being beaten by doing all his chores on time…to having none, and getting food and also being looked after. Severus never left him on his own, other than bedtime, and he waited until Harry fell asleep. He was waiting in trepidation for the other shoe to drop.

"Sit down Harry," said Severus, making sure to use Harry's name as often as possible. He was still rather shocked by the fact the five year old hadn't known who he was. Lily would be rolling in her grave at the situation Dumbledore had landed her son into, after she'd died to save him. Well it was his turn now, and he'd be damned if he let anything happen to the child. Severus sat on the wooden seat he had in the middle of his garden. He had a lot to discuss with Harry, and it had been extremely difficult to refrain from drugging him with a truth potion. It would make the conversation go smoother, but it wouldn't help Harry trust him. Although he doubted Harry would understand just how it happened for a good couple of years.

Harry immediately sat down where he'd been standing, as though orders had been so drummed into him he didn't need to think about it. Severus didn't even want to think on what else Harry had just done because he'd been ordered to. There was a blanket spread out along with food for Harry to enjoy. Food was probably the best way to get to Harry, to make him trust Severus.

Severus got down on the blanket as well, as much as he hated it, it would be best to make himself none threatening as possible. He made sure he was relaxed and his hands loose, he was an observant man. He'd seen Harry constantly checking his hands, probably no doubt wondering when the first blow would come. Plating up some finger food, he passed it to Harry, knowing he would only be able to eat so much of it. He'd need to give him the potions every day, and decided to give him it at dinner. Which would be at the dining table tonight. The quicker he got both of them into a routine the better it would be for Harry.

"Eat up Harry," said Severus picking at the food himself and eating it, making Harry feel a little more comfortable. He wasn't a man who idled around, but with a child, he realized he was going to have to get used to it. He couldn't keep a child locked up in a manor all the time, especially one that hadn't been anywhere.

Harry sat there eating the fruit that had been placed on the paper plate on his lap. It wasn't just fruit, but small sandwiches, sausages and small party pizzas. It was really nice just sitting outside in the sun. No Petunia scowling at him from the window, waiting on him screwing up. No Vernon breathing down his neck, or Dudley beating him up and undoing his hard work whenever possible. The small wind made him close his eyes; he should just enjoy it while he could.

"Harry, do you remember our rule?" asked Severus after ten minutes of silence, nearly everything on Harry's plate had been eaten. He was really proud of the child, and would have to remember and say something later.

"No lies sir," said Harry immediately.

"That's right, well done," said Severus nodding his head his lips curling at the sides. "It's one of the most important rules in this house. Not just for you, but me as well, you have my word that I will always tell you the truth to any question you ask. Even if you do not believe it yet, and I understand why not. No doubt this is all too much to take in isn't it? You feel as though it's not true and you expect something to happen? I've felt this way as well once upon a time." of course it hadn't been true for him, not completely, his Hogwarts years hadn't been easy but at least there he could give as good as he got. With his father though…he hadn't been able to defend himself, at least until he was seventeen years old and legally an adult. He met Harry's eyes and never looked away, letting the child 'judge' him so to speak.

Then Harry nodded, it was barely there but Severus had seen it. He wasn't sure what they were going to talk about, but it couldn't be good if he was being warned against lying. His mind circled around what Severus could possibly want, but he wasn't prepared for the question that did come from the man's mouth.

"Do you know Mrs. Arabella Figg?" asked Severus keeping a close eye on Harry, he saw the child stiffen and a dark look cross his face. Well obviously Harry knew her, he'd known that, but it wasn't good obviously he hadn't found a safe heaven with the insufferable cat loving squib.

"Yes," Harry replied sombrely.

"Did she know the Dursley's hurt you?" asked Severus.

Harry stared down at his fingers not sure how to answer that question.

"Harry?" said Severus extending his hand, lifting the small face up to meet his. The green eyes were filled with indecision and wariness. He was obviously not ready to talk about what the Dursley's had done to him. Figg was obviously an extension of that, but Severus was determined to get his answers. So he continued on, telling the truth as he'd sworn to Harry he would. Not that he'd lie, he wasn't a man who did, unless the persons name was Voldemort. One had to lie when they were spying otherwise he wouldn't get much spying done now would he? "You will not be punished for answering my questions. I need to know so I know how to deal with her, if she knew she was bad, wrong, and she has to be the one punished." the look of shock on the child's face angered him, did he seriously think they could get away with hurting him as they had?

"Okay, how did you know her? Was she a friend of your aunts?" asked Severus deciding to ask questions, perhaps then he might get answers.

"Yes, she babysat me when they went on holiday or just went out for the day," said Harry quietly.

"They left you when they went on holiday?" asked Severus biting the inside of his lip, as more truth came to light. How many times had the Dursley's gone on holiday? No doubt using the money they'd received to take care of Harry and leaving him behind?

Harry nodded, "Apart from this time, Mrs. Figg got taken into hospital so they had to take me." whispered Harry. There would be one day when Harry thanked his lucky stars it had happened, when he began to love it here at Prince Manor. For if Figg hadn't ended up in hospital with a mild case of Pneumonia - Harry would have remained at Privet Drive.

"How often did Mrs. Figg baby-sit you?" Severus then asked.

"Dudley's birthday, when they went on holiday, or family outs…outing." Harry told him trying to remember what they called it.

"Did she ever help you?" asked Severus getting to the crux of the matter.

"She didn't like me much, I don't know why," said Harry sadly; nobody had liked him so it wasn't something new. "She always looked at me like the Dursley's did, angry and upset. She didn't know I saw it though, she used to make me sit and look at all the pictures of her cats every time I came."

"She saw the way the Dursley's treated you." stated Severus, this wasn't a question he finally had his answer.

"Yes sir," said Harry his voice barely audible.

Then it was official, he was going to kill her, she wasn't going to get away with it. She didn't have to be kept alive like the Dursley's were to avoid Dumbledore's attention. He doubted Dumbledore cared two shits about Figg, or what happened to her. Sooner or later he would realize she wasn't keeping an eye on Harry, which would be the same time he'd find out Harry was no longer at the Dursley's. So there truly wasn't any valid reason to keep her alive. She was in America, plenty of ways to make her death look accidental, especially to the Muggle authorities, and she was in the Muggle world. The magical world had no reason to investigate a squib, even if they were interested. He wondered if Lucius was up for a spot of Muggle hunting, err, justice. She'd understood just why his reputation was so fierce first hand.

"Thank you Harry, I'm very pleased you were honest with me, and at how much you have eaten." said Severus firmly.

"Thank you sir," said Harry shyly, his face turning red at the praise, he wasn't used to it. He was really beginning to like it, being told he was good, it made him feel happy, and made his tummy feel funny. Was this how Dudley felt all the time when his mum said how he was such a good boy. Harry gasped, gazing off into the distance, his green eyes squinting to see it properly.

Severus looked at Harry immediately upon hearing the gasp and saw once again he was squinting. He would have to get the potion made soon, it would only take three hours and his eyesight will be corrected. Looking over he put his arm up, allowing the owl to land on it, smiling at Harry's awe. Removing the letter he turned to the boy, and asked him "Would you like to pet him?"

"Can I?" breathed Harry, it was so beautiful, but he did see the large beak and didn't fancy being bitten.

"Of course," said Severus steadily moving his arm, and the owl near to Harry, his other hand reaching over and petting the owl, letting Harry know it was safe without saying anything. His word didn't mean much right now, and it didn't surprise him. No Harry would have to learn to trust him through his actions.

Harry's small thin fingers, reached out, cautiously at first as he petted the owl. Gasping once again in awe, it was so soft; he'd never left anything like it before in his life. It truly was beautiful, he giggled slightly when the owl nipped at his finger tickling him with its tongue.

Severus continued to watch Harry; he seemed so surprised at the sound that came out of his own mouth. He felt sorrow flash though him, realizing it maybe had been the first time. Harry certainly hadn't had any other reason for him to laugh was there? He swore to himself he'd do anything to hear it again; he'd make Harry's home a happy one.

"His name is Herman, he belongs to my good friend Lucius, would you like to go back to the Manor and get him a treat before he goes home?" asked Severus. He was obviously waiting for a reply anyway, so he would stick around.

"Yes sir!" said Harry quickly, but this time it wasn't out of expectation but excitement.

Flicking his wand he had everything packed away, shrunk and in his pocket. He then spelled some padding on Harry's shoulder, and placed the owl there. He didn't want the owl's claws to dig into Harry, as it would have done. Harry then proceeded to walk very carefully, not moving his shoulder the slightest. His green eyes were twinkling so brightly, showing his exuberance and happiness in a way that was acceptable to him.

"Owls send mail to people in our world Harry," said Severus.

Harry's forehead scrunched up as if he couldn't understand what Severus had just said or implied.

Severus opened the main door and once both of them were in, he closed it behind him securing them within the manors main wards. He summoned an owl treat from his study, passing it to Harry, as Herman flew onto the chair wanting something sturdier to sit on. He hooted his mostly black eyes staring at the treat Severus just given Harry.

"Go on then, he's not going to hurt you," urged Severus as he sat down on the chair, pulling out all the documents Lucius had just sent him. Sitting there giving them a cursory look over, while Harry went over his own lips pulling at the corner. The owl took the treat gently, before gobbling it down hastily. Herman was used to having to take gently, Draco loved feeding and petting him, so they'd had to get a friendly owl. The one they'd had before hadn't been, it was a trained owl and vicious, if anyone tired to get the letters it would find himself without his or her fingers.

"Sit here Harry," said Severus patting at the chair next to him. He'd put it of long enough, Harry had to know about magic, the sooner the better. As well as everything else come to that. He placed a piece of parchment in front of the child, knowing he couldn't read it but doing it nevertheless. "This is a document that means I have guardianship of you, that you cannot be taken away from me by anyone. Do you understand what guardianship means Harry?"

Harry got the gist of what he meant, but didn't actually understand what guardianship meant so shook his head.

"Verbal answer Harry, please." said Severus he didn't like children who nodded or shook their head or mumbled. The students had done all three which was probably another factor in why he disliked the creatures.

"No sir," said Harry wide eyed.

"Being your guardian is looking after you, feeding you, keeping you safe, warm and happy. I have adopted you as my son; I would like it to become more permanent, but its something you need to decide on your own. I know this is still too new for you right now, so I will wait for your decision." said Severus. He was Harry's father in every way, bar biological, which would require a potion, it would only add his blood to James and Lily's but he'd still get the Prince Blood, and become his heir as well as the Potter's one. If he was doing this, he was going to do it right, and the sole heir couldn't be removed from its parent under any circumstances. Harry was going to be the last heir of the Potter and Prince estate, if he had his way anyway.

"Yes sir," said Harry unsure of what else to say he didn't know how the man was able to understand how he felt. What he'd said earlier was spot on, a small part of him wanted to trust him, but the large part just continued to wait for it to all go wrong.

"Alright," said Severus, "The next piece of information I want to share with you. You are magical Harry, just like your parents were, your mother was a witch, and you are a wizard. I am a wizard, your fam…the Dursley's and Figg were jealous of your magic and didn't want you having it. It's nothing to do with you, they are the ones who did wrong and they will pay for it." said Severus, maybe he shouldn't be talking about revenge with the child, but truth be told he wanted Harry to feel he got closure. He hadn't gotten anything close to that, and it probably shaped him into who he was.

Harry so badly wanted to believe him, that there was nothing wrong with him. Unfortunately the beaten part of his brain just stared in disbelief. His eyes were drawn back to the paper, he had a dad now? Was that what Severus was saying? He was promising things Dudley got and took for granted. Did it mean he'd end up like Dudley, staring up at Severus, he realized he wouldn't. This man wasn't anything like Vernon, he was very kind to him, but also had a sense of strictness coming off him. Did he accept it and be happy? Or was it all a trick? He'd try and keep his heart safe and accept each day as it came.

Harry nodded his head once again, but the knowing look of Severus' face made him feel very silly.

"Come Harry," said Severus holding his hand out for the child to take, "I'm going to show you my favourite place in the world. Would you like to see?"

"Yes sir!" said Harry, taking the hand that was another thing; he wasn't used to anyone touching him at least not kindly. He loved and hated how secure it made him feel loved it because of the feelings and hated it because he feared it would end.

Slowly getting there gosh this story is taking a long time to write out! but oh well so next chapter will it be sev and harry bonding or would you rather see Figg dealt with? and how will she be dealt with stealthily and quick or death eater fashion then healed before killed she hated wizards and was jealous of harry I think its only fair she gets some punishment :P lol R&R PLEASE!