He looked just like James. It was all I could notice about him. At the tender age of five, he was already the spitting image of the boy that I had come to loathe at school. Even his glasses were the same shape if not a little smaller. His jet black hair was just as scruffy as ever. But his eyes…those were Lily's.

It brought out an emotion that I hadn't even realized still existed within me. It was almost as if Lily was staring right through me using her son to do so. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I wanted to; I knew I was making him uncomfortable. I knew that the last thing to do with an abuse victim was to make them any more uncomfortable than they already were.

I suppose my excuse was that Harry Potter was no ordinary boy. He was a wizard, albeit a young one, but still. Did that make him exempt? Did he not feel the same emotions as any other kid? Dumbledore wouldn't hesitate to tell him that it didn't.

"Sir?" the young boy in front of me finally said. I made no sign that I heard him, but he continued anyway. "Sir, where am I?"

How to answer him? How do I even begin to explain? Was I even the right person to do so? Where the hell is Dumbledore? I thought to myself. He of all people should've been there right now. To help break the uncomfortable silence between the savior of our world, and me, the one who indirectly made him so.

"You're safe," finally answered, though it was cryptic. I could see in Harry's eyes that he didn't believe me. But, then again, he didn't really have any reason to. Five years of damage wouldn't be undone just by two simple words. But this didn't do anything to help with my nerves. How I wanted a drink!

Harry didn't say anything else, and I could tell that he was sorting through everything in his mind. "Someone will be down soon to explain everything better to you," I continued, hoping that that would satisfy him enough to look away.

If anything, those words seemed to set in motion everything that had happened to him in the past hour. "What has happened? Where are my aunt, uncle and cousin?" he demanded, and I was remarkably reminded of James Potter once again.

"They are back at their home."

"They'll be wondering where I am," the child stated obviously. I couldn't help but snigger at that. The fact of the matter was that they wouldn't. I had modified their memories with a simple memory charm. They wouldn't think any more of Harry Potter now than they would upon seeing Dumbledore himself. But of course I couldn't tell him that, not at his age or stage of understanding who he was.

"Yes well, they won't be seeing you anytime soon. They…" but my words were cut short by the sudden appearance of Albus Dumbledore for the second time in two days.

Harry did a double take upon my floor. His bright green eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and amazement. Dumbledore noticed too, and flashed him a wide grin.

"Ah, Harry Potter. We meet at last," Dumbledore said, and knelt down so that the two of them were at eye level and held out his right hand.

Harry looked at it questioningly, but slowly brought out his right arm, his eyes fixed upon Dumbledore's arm with caution. And of course, he was watching just in case he needed to defend himself if he would raise his arm to his.

They shook hands, and Dumbledore turned his focus to Harry's arm. "Do you mind if I take a look?" he asked, indicating the long sleeve of the muggle shirt that he wore.

Harry didn't respond, but Dumbledore was expecting that. He carefully and gently moved the sleeve upwards, exposing the five-year-old's arm, and although I knew that there would be, I still wasn't ready to find that his arm was nearly a dark shade of purple with all the bruises that covered it. As Dumbledore inspected, I kept my gaze on Harry, who truly was looking uncomfortable now. He didn't trust us yet.

"Tell me Harry, who was it to give these to you? Your relatives?" Dumbledore asked and these questions confused me. Of course his relatives were the ones to give these to him, otherwise he wouldn't be here in my living quarters!

Harry nodded, and for the first time I noticed that there were tears in his eyes, unwanted memories undoubtedly flooding his mind. And through his silent sobs he looked into Dumbledore's eyes and asked, "How do you know my name?"

Dumbledore chuckled at these words. "My dear boy, everyone in our world knows your name. But we'll save that story for another time. What you need right now is sleep, and Severus here will make sure that you are comfortable. After you have become well rested I will divulge the truth, but only after you get some sleep."

And with that Dumbledore left my quarters and Harry and I were alone once more in an uncomfortable silence. "Come. You can have the spare bedroom," I said softly, being careful to keep the disdain out of my voice. I turned to begin walking down towards the room, but Harry wasn't moving.

"Harry. This way," I said, this time a little louder. Still he wasn't moving. "Why aren't you coming?" I demanded, and it was all I could to not to let the frustration show. What did he expect me to do, carry him in there?

"You're sending me back tomorrow so why should I go in there? It won't matter," he admitted, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor.

I looked at him incredulously. "I don't know what you heard when Dumbledore was talking to you, but he made it very clear that you won't be going back. This is your home now, Hogwarts. Everything will be explained to you tomorrow after you get some sleep. And right now I am about to show you to your new room, so if you please…." I gestured down the hallway.

I saw the words I had just said start playing over in Harry's young mind, and whether he was satisfied or not I cannot say, but regardless he nodded and stood up, allowing me to show him to the bedroom that had been intended for no one.

It was the second and last room on the left, right across from mine. It was smaller, but still held enough space for someone to live comfortably. The bed was what a muggle might call a twin and had Slytherin green sheets. The small dresser and desk that rested across from the bed were black, and the walls were painted a silver color. The room was Slytherin through and through. I opened the door and walked briskly into the room, Harry at my heels.

He was eyeing the room in fascination. "This is to be mine?" he wondered out loud.

"Yes. Hopefully it is to your liking because it won't change. You will find some pajamas in the last drawer down. I will be in here tomorrow morning at nine to wake you up so I suggest you get to sleep straight away."

And with that I left the room, closing the door behind me. I knew he wouldn't be sleeping, or at least he wouldn't get much. But it was understandable. I entered my own room half a second later and closed the door as well. I needed sleep to. And hopefully when I woke up tomorrow morning I would realize that the past two days had failed to exist.

But they did exist, as fate was all too cruel in reminding me the next morning. I dressed quickly in my usual black robes then went into the extra bedroom where Harry Potter was staying. I opened the door, not too careful in doing so silently and realized immediately that he wasn't there. I sighed in annoyance. Why couldn't children sit still? He couldn't have gone too far for the door was locked with an enchantment that only I knew. He wasn't in my room, which left the door that led to my classroom and my study. And since the door to my classroom was also locked, that left the study.

And sure enough, that was where I found him, examining the thousands of books that lined my shelves. Anyone who came in here was always impressed with my collection that reached from floor to ceiling. Apparently children were no exception either. I coughed and Harry looked up, fear in his eyes. He was obviously scared that I might hurt him for invading my room.

"I-I'm sorry sir. I was j-just looking…" he trailed off. I made no indication that I had heard him.

"Soon enough you will be old enough to understand all this. Soon you will be old enough to appreciate the fine art of potion making. And in case you were looking for something that would best suit you, I do not have any children's books."

"So…you're not going to hit me?" he asked quizzically. I stared at him, cold hard fury emanating from my entire being. Rage at his relatives who had scarred him for so long, giving him the idea that all adults were to be feared and that he wasn't good enough.

"No. I am not," I whispered harshly. Judging by the boy's face, he didn't believe me, but that would have to do for now, for the usual POP! of a person Apparating had just come from the entrance to my living quarters, which told me that Dumbledore was here. "Come on," I said impatiently and indicated the door. Harry obeyed without complaint and hurried as fast as he could without running to leave my study. I shut the door and locked it quickly.

Dumbledore had made himself comfortable in my armchair, smiling cheerfully as the two of us entered the room. I wanted to wipe the smile off his face. He had no right; thrusting this child upon my shoulders, as well as the burden of parenthood that came with that. He knew as well as I that he would be nothing but a constant reminder of the mistake I had made on that night that gave him the destiny he didn't even know about. He also knew that I had no idea how to be a good father, yet here he was, smiling as if none of that mattered. As if Harry Potter had been here his whole life.

"Good morning Harry. And Severus. I trust you both got a good night's sleep?"

Neither of us answered, but Dumbledore didn't seem to notice. "I know I promised some answers, but all of us are tired of stories I trust. Instead, I thought that today we could make a trip to Diagon Alley and help Harry get more acquainted with the wizarding world," Dumbledore explained happily.

I didn't know what to make of this. Part of me was pleased with this news since the last thing I wanted to do was more talking. But at the same time, not informing Harry of the world he now belonged to would make explaining everything later that much harder.

"Wizarding world? Wizards don't exist," Harry stated matter-of-factly. He was standing in front of me with his back turned, but I could tell from the expression on Dumbledore's face that he looked for the first time, brave.

"Ah, quite the contrary Harry. Wizards do exist, and I am here to tell you that you are one of them."

"What?" Harry gasped. The rage that I had managed to push to the back of my mind was slowly making its way to the surface once more. Dumbledore had left instructions with Harry for his relatives to inform him of his identity. It was an insult to his parents' memory that they had failed to honor that request.

Dumbledore laughed. We will get to that later. Right now, we will go to Diagon Alley where we will slowly introduce you to our world."

We walked to the fireplace where the headmaster took out some floo powder. "It's quite simple. We walk inside the fireplace, you state clearly your desired location, throw the powder the ground, and you will get transported to your location. Understand?" Dumbledore briefly explained.

Harry nodded, but it was quite obvious that he didn't. "Here, I'll go with you," Dumbledore offered. He took Harry's hand and guided him to the fireplace.

"You take a small fist full of powder…" he said and Harry watched as Dumbledore did so, "…and state clearly where you want to go."

Then Dumbledore said almost robotically, "Diagon Alley." He let the powder fall to the ground, and instantly green flames erupted, and the two of them were gone, leaving ash behind them.

A/N: Sorry I've practically disappeared. Things came up that I'd rather not talk about. I almost left but you guys kept me going. Thanks. Hope you liked this chapter. Reviews would be appreciated.