Chapter 5: Plans
"Albus, I would like your permission to keep the boy over the holidays. I think that if I can get some alone time with him without the Slytherins around then I can surely get him to relax around you and even join you." Severus asked hopefully.
"The thing that concerns me the most Severus is the boy's mastery of Occlumency. Someone must have trained him. I've never seen a natural occlumens so strong."
'In other words I better come up with a story fast or he's going to know I trained the boy to keep things from him. Shit.' "I noticed that too Albus when I first met him and I believe I have a theory." Severus began praying the old bastard would fall for it. "I think that he is a natural occlumens and the extreme strength came as a result of hiding his feelings from his family and the hardening of his emotions over the course of the years. You know occlumency is as much a matter of hiding emotions as it is thoughts and memories."
"I suppose that could be a reason. Very well. You can keep him over the holidays, but I will visit daily say for dinner?"
"Agreed. Thank you headmaster."
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Back in the his office Severus collapsed in relief and sent a message for Harry to meet him there.
"Is something wrong Professor?"
"Not at all child. Just wanted to inform you that Headmaster Dumbledore gave me permission to keep you over the holidays so that you can meet Tom, however he will be joining us for dinner every day. I think that he is suspicious of me."
"If he's suspicious of you then wouldn't that carry over to me too sir? He knows we spend quite a bit of time together."
"As a matter of fact Harry, that's another reason I wanted you to come here. He is already suspicious of you and in fact has proposed eliminating you just a few days ago. We were able to hold him off and that is why I gave you the journal so that you would know the truth in case you ever had to be rescued from him. That's actually another reason I asked you here. I wanted to give you this," Severus held out a beautiful pendant, "It is charmed to become invisible when you wear it and is an emergency portkey directly to Tom's home. The password is sanctuary."
"Thank you sir. It's wonderful. Do I just have to say the password or do I have to do something else, and what does a portkey do exactly. All I have heard is that it is a way of travel."
Severus explained the use of a portkey to Harry and told him to use it anytime he felt that his cover was irreparably blown or if he was in a lifethreatening situation as neither was sure what kind of method the headmaster would use to dispatch him if he decided to nor if they would have any advance notice. After thanking him profusely, Harry surprised them both by hugging the stern potions master. After a moment Severus came out of his trance to wrap his arms around the still sobbing boy.
"No one's ever cared before," Harry managed to say between sobs. Then as if he suddenly realized what he was doing, he stepped back in fear. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He stammered cringing away. Severus realized he thought he was going to be in trouble for hugging him and his heart broke for this little boy all over again. He walked slowly and nonthreateningly to Harry, who by this point had his back against the wall. When he reached the shaking boy he merely pulled him into another hug. "Never be afraid to show affection here. While there are times and places where it is inappropriate, it is never something to be afraid of. Whenever we are alone you can always show me affection child."
"Is this what a hug always feels like?" Harry asked somewhat in awe of the situation he found himself in. At this question even the normally emotionless man couldn't help but cry with his young charge. 'The poor boy has never even had a hug' He thought to himself. 'Sure my father was a drunken bastard and I spent many a time beaten, but at least I had my mother to hug and love me. This pure innocent child has never had anyone.'
After the emotional demonstration was over Severus sent Harry back to his dormitory and returned to his room feeling exhausted. Just as he was about to turn into bed he received a letter from Tom.
Severus,
I can completely understand your concerns, especially with what you told me about Harry's soul. Give him a portkey to bring him here or somewhere else he is comfortable if he isn't ready to meet me yet. Perhaps Lucius since he is already close with young Draco. Try to keep him there as long as possible since if he leaves Dumbledore will hunt him to the ends of the earth, but if he needs to leave he is welcome and we will come up with something. If need be I or someone else can take him and flee the country and try to stay under the radar. It won't work forever and it will surely bring more heat down on me, but better that than to corrupt him or hurt him more than he has already been hurt. Take care and keep me informed.
Tom
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Tom couldn't sleep. Ever since he got Severus' last letter he could do nothing but think about ways to help the poor child. Finally, after sending a letter to Severus with the only solution he could think of he sat back in his chair and tried to relax. He knew he wouldn't sleep until Severus responded and he knew Harry was safe at least with a portkey if it got too much. Just as he was about to nod off from pure exhaustion an owl flew in the window with Severus' reply.
Tom,
I have already given him an emergency portkey directly to you and he was comfortable with you waiting at the other end. I also sent Lucius a monitor so that if it goes off he will know and come straight over to hopefully make Harry feel better with a semi-familiar face. I will let him know that he can use it if he begins to feel too overwhealmed with keeping up the charade as well as I told him only to use it if his cover is blown or if he is in a life-threatening situation. I think he is making a lot of progress. He actually hugged me when I gave him the portkey. Of course then he seemed terrified when he realized what he'd done but I talked him down. It turns out that he had never been hugged before. I couldn't believe it. I mean I knew he was abused, but never having a hug. I couldn't imagine how horrible his life must have been.
I actually had an idea to run by you this evening. I know you have contacts in the MLE Auror Division. I was thinking I could put a recording device on Harry and let him confront Dumbledore like he has been wanting to since he found out the truth and your contact could give the reciever to the Head of the Department. I know the minister is on Dumbledore's side, but perhaps with evidence we can do something to hurt him and see what happens. He is so desperate for Harry to be on his side that he may take the time to explain some things that could be useful and then Harry can use his emergency portkey. It may be dangerous, but I think he is up to the job and it could be very cathartic for him. Let me know what you think.
Severus
Tom's reply was very short.
Sev,
If he agrees go for it.
Tom
At that point Tom succumbed to sleep.