Hope Restored

Chapter 3

Summary: Harry has just finished his fourth year and after defeating Voldemort he wants to do nothing but disappear. But he had been forcibly bound to stay at the Dursleys and forced to endure constant abuse.

Warnings: Abuse, OOC, Corporal Punishment, Self Harm.

Disclaimer: My stories are based on characters and situations created and owned by author J.K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made from the stories on this profile and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Nor is any insult or defamation of character intended toward any of the wonderful actors who brought the original Harry Potter books to life through the cinema.

Harry landed painfully on his knees and he continued to look down while he tried to calm his breathing. He wished that Aton was here, he always comforted him when he was feeling ill, but he didn't want to risk apparating with him, he was only a cat after all. But he knew Aton would always find him wherever he went so he wasn't worried. Just when he was about to land a hand appeared in front of his face.

He grabbed it and was pulled up by his father.He certainly hadn't expected that from the strict Potion Master, but who knew, maybe he'll meet the real Severus Snape now that he was living with him. He looked around and was amazed with what he saw. It was like a little safe heaven within a forest.

There were trees all around and dark green grass was covering everything. It appeared like it had rained recently and was giving everything a special glow. A little house was nestled between the trees; it looked comfortable and cozy. Harrison was really looking forward to living there and he assumed that Aton would love it as well.

"If you're finished with your tour of the grounds we will go inside" Severus said in an even tone and Harrison was again surprised that it wasn't the biting tone he was used to. They went in and it looked very nice to Harrison, he could imagine living here. It looked bigger from the inside and the front door led to the living room. You could enter the kitchen through the door on the left and the last door on the left led to the bathroom. In the far end of the room were the stairs which led to the upper floor where their rooms were located. And in the basement was Severus potions lab.

"You will never go there without my permission, understand?" Severus said as soon as he showed him the door to it. Harrison nodded and when his father continued to look at him he said "Yes sir" and with that Severus showed him his room. It was relatively large and held a four poster bed in the middle end. In the left corner was a desk and in the right was a wardrobe. It didn't have any personal stuff right now but Harrison would soon place them.

Severus also showed him the door to his room and forbade him from entering it. He then introduced his to his house elf called Tippy who was ecstatic that her master had a little master. In her opinion her master was very lonely and needed a friend. She resolved to make her master and little master as happy as she could.

In the meantime Severus and Harry were in the kitchen where they were greeted with a wonderful dinner. Harrison was happy that he could finally eat in peace without being afraid that his food would be taken away. After they were finished Harrison washed the dishes when Severus informed that washing the dishes from the dinner would be his duty. Harrison didn't mind doing simple chores; he was glad that he wouldn't be doing hard work like he had to do at the Dursleys.

Then they sat in the living room and Severus said "While you live here you'll have to obey some rules. First of all, I do not tolerate lies and disobedience. If you are told to do something I expect it to be done. The only chores you'll have to do here is cleaning the dishes after dinner and cleaning your room and the mess you make after yourself. Also I will sometimes ask you to help me in the lab. Other rules are that you have to be respectful to me and the other and have good grades in school. And the last and most important rule of all is that you are not to place yourself in danger in any way. "

Harrison said "Yes sir" They weren't really strict rules, but he had to be careful not to break them. He knew that he wouldn't be beaten here but he was still afraid how Severus would punish him. He knew that the man wouldn't hit him with his fists or kick him but he would have liked to know. Just then Severus said.

"If you disobey any of the rules you will be punished. I will not beat, starve or kick you. If you break any of the rules you will have additional chores and some of your privileges taken away. If you place yourself in danger you will be spanked and it will also happen if you continue to break one of the previous rules."

Harrison stiffened when he heard the word spanked. He didn't think that Severus would beat him. He thought he was safe here. A second later he found himself in front of his professor who then took his hands and said "I will not beat you Harrison, I will only use my hand and a paddle later on your bum. And with a paddle no more than five times. I will never hit you with anything else, anywhere. I will always protect and love you son"

With that Severus hugged the crying child and let him cry out his pain and misery that was finally gone.

AN: I decided to leave the previous 'chapter' so that more people would see it and decide to act, like I did.