Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter

Warnings- AU, horror, non magic, Violence, supernatural, Grammar and spelling.

Protecting Yours Truly

Chapter four ~ Closed Doors

James stepped into the house; he had been taking out the garbage. Wiping his hands on his jeans, and kicked the door shut. It was then he heard Harry screaming for him, without a moment's hesitation James was across the room and on the stairs, skipping steps.

He could hear Lily further behind him, both of them set in worry mode. Harry hadn't called James 'daddy' for a long time now. He only revered back to that when he was really hurt or scared. James could remember late night terrors, after Harry's cousin Dudley forced a 5-year-old Harry to watch a horror flick. It had been a hard couple of months before Harry stopped having nightmares.

Seeing the door before him James grabbed the handle and pulled, Harry's voice calling out to him. He forced the door open cold air blew past him, making him shiver. Then a small body attached them self to his middle. Looking down James could see Harry, his son shivering, hair soaked, and arms wrapped tightly around him. Prying the arms off him James swooped down scooping Harry up into his arms, adjusting his shivering frightened son in his arms.

"James what's wrong?" He looked to the side seeing Lily's worried frightened face. He ran a hand up to Harry's head his finger's tangling into the soaked dark locks, and effectively calming Harry.

"I don't know." Small arms tightened around him, and Harry hid his face in James neck, his wet hair soaking his shirt. "Harry, kiddo, hey come on look at me." Lily hovered biting her lip and ran a gentle hand down Harry's side. The reassuring touch had Harry lift his head looking to his mother.

"Harry babe what happened?" Lily soothed a hand to her son cheek, her voice clam. Harry slid a hand from James shoulder and reached out for Lily, who was quick to take Harry's small cold hand, she gasped. "James he freezing! We have to get him warm." James nodded and began to walk down the hall, Lily following as she wouldn't let go of her sons hand.

They arrived in Harry's room, where James and Lily set about making Harry comfortable on his bed, safely tucked under the covers. Both parents took a seat on either side of the bed, Lily holding Harry's hand and James resting a hand on Harry's head.

"What happened Harry?" Green eyes darted to the side seeking out something that Lily and James couldn't see.

"Harry." He looked to Lily. "Babe what happened, why were you screaming?" a light flush covered Harry's cheeks; he frowned and bit his lip.

"I-" he paused the encouraging smile had Harry spilling. "I couldn't open the door." His cheeks darkened in shame. "And it got really cold, and the taps turned on with murky water coming out." His hands beneath the covers twisted, and he looked away from Lily. "I wanted out, and I couldn't get out." His frown deepened, James reached out tipping Harry's head up.

"Hey kiddo, it's alright. You were scared." Lily squeezed Harry's hand drawing his attention.

"It's ok to be scared Harry, just know we are always here for you." Her other hand rose up and wiped away Harry's wet bangs from his forehead. A small shaky smile lifted the corners of Harry's lips.

"I know." He leaned into the touch, his smile widening as Lily repeated the action.

"Good," both looked to James who was smiling widely at them. "Now that that's over, might I say Harry you have quite the set of lungs on you."

"James!" looking at his off put wife James grinned.

"What? I swear that if I had been half way across the world I would have heard him." He turned and looked at Harry his expression gentle. "And even with that distance, I'd be there just as quick." He ruffled Harry's hair affectionately. "No matter what kiddo." Harry shot James a grateful smile.

"I love you dad." James beamed; both he and Lily encourage Harry to express his affections.

"Hey! What about me?" Harry looked to Lily and smiled up at her.

"Love you too." The playful scowl Lily had on her visage morphed into an expression of love.

"Good." Lily leaned in kissing Harry's forehead. "I think you should get some sleep now, you have had a long day." James ruffled his hair looking to Harry with clam eyes.

"Yeah." Harry trailed off eyes wondering around the room stopping at a dark corner, he took a shaky breath then looked back to his parents. "Can you stay till I fall asleep?" Lily grabbed his hand squeezing as her other hand fiddled with Harry's bangs.

"Sure thing kiddo, just close your eyes. We'll keep you safe." Gratefully Harry settled and closed his eyes, he drifted off. Lily's finger's soothing him into la la land faster then they knew. They both sat with Harry longer then they had to. Just to be sure their boy was ok.

Tom stood beside the door, having moved from the dark corner when James and Lily had left. He watched the steady rise and fall of Harry's chest as the small boy took even strong breaths.

He had been watching Harry since he had entered the room, face pail and blind panic clear on his features. He had listened growing anxious as Harry told his parents what happened in the bathroom. Tom knew that this wasn't going to be the only incident.

He let out a soft exhale his blue eyes slanted as he felt the shift in the air. Tom stared ahead of him his hand sliding to the door; -James and Lily had left open, thinking it would comfort Harry if he woke in the middle of the night- His palm lay flat against the cool wood. He looked to Harry seeing as he curled up into a ball, his breath coming out in puffs of clouds. Frowning Tom felt the presences, a dark dreading and violent force, creeping into his very bean.

Sliding his hand down the door slowly closing the entrance. Soundlessly letting the sliver of the opening close, and cutting off the bitter cold. That thing had been watching, Tom slipped from his hiding place and walked over to Harry. Who by now was clutching at the sheets, his shivering having stopped as the door was closed and keeping the cold at bay. Tom reached out pulling the blankets up a hand sliding to Harry's forehead he pressed down firmly, calmly, and gently.

"Sleep Harry. He wont get you." Tom pulled back his cold hand returning it to his side; he then went over to the dark corner watching over Harry, blue eyes never leaving the small 9 year old.

"But Mom!"

"No Harry." Lily put a dish of snacks on the table and walked around the setting. Swiftly she grabbed Harry's arm and maneuvered him into the kitchen.

"But dad's sneaking some." He pointed to James who was making to grab a cookie from a plate on the counter. Lily went to him and swatted his hand away from the plate.

"James! These are for the guest!" Looking up James looked put off at his son ratting him out.

"Aw but Lil's they are so good, I couldn't help my self."

"Try to help your self again and you'll regret it." She glared up at her nervous husband, before scooping up the plate of cookies and walking out of the room by passing Harry. Both stared at the door waiting with batted breath. After a few minutes James beamed at his son and pulled his hand from behind his back.

"Well done Harry." In his hand he held two cookies. "We have out foxed the fox, now come claim your reward!" Harry ran over to James, his father passing his son a cookie and then steering them out of the kitchen and into the backyard.

They both walked around the yard munching on their hard earned treat.

"Hey dad, how long is this dinner gonna take?" James looked down into green eyes.

"Most likely the whole afternoon." A pout formed on Harry's lips showing his displeasure.

"Do I have to entertain Dudley? Can't I just play with Tom in my room?" There was a hopeful tone to Harry's question, like James could make everything ok and Harry would be fine.

"Sorry kiddo, but things just don't work that way." James stopped walking and knelt down looking at Harry, he put his hands on his sons shoulders. "Look I know you don't like your cousin, but the fact is, he is your cousin. Family, they can be a pain in the ass, but their still family." Harry kept his gaze down to his feet shuffling in the dried leaves.

"Mom's not going to like you swore around me." Blinking at the abrupt change in topics James gazed around himself then looked back to Harry.

"Not going to rat me out, are you?" He eyed his son.

"No!" James grinned and brought his son into a hug.

"That's my boy." He pulled back, and let out a sigh seeing Harry's down trotted features. "Oh it wont be that bad, if Dudley gives you to much grief come and spend time with me."

"But Uncle Vernon will be with you, and mom will tell me to go play with Dudley." Tilting back James looked to the trees, then back to Harry.

"I'll have a talk with her." He ran a hand to Harry's hair a ruffled it. "Just try to bare with it ok kiddo?" still frowning lightly Harry nodded.

"James! Harry! Get in the house they will be here shortly!" Both looked up to Lily who stood on the porch arms crossed and her lips pursed.

"Be there soon!" They watched as Lily turned and walked back into the house, showing no indication that she knew they stole cookies. Looking at one another both father and son shared a secret smile. "Well then, guess we should get going, can't make your mother wait." Harry nodded. "Oh Harry?"

"Yeah?" Harry blinked as James looked into his eyes.

"How bout we try to keep Tom a secret, don't mention him eh?" tilting his head Harry showed his confusion. "I don't think the Dursley's would understand Tom's unique talent of not appearing to them." Understand filtered though Harry's eyes and the small raven hair boy nodded.

"Of course, I'll keep Tom to my self!"

"Good, now let's get going." They both made their way into the house, just as they were sliding the door shut Lily's voice yelled from the other room.

"Harry go wash up!"

"Ok Mom!" Harry ran off just as Lily came into the room.

"Done giving him the pep talk." James shrugged and went up to his wife.

"Don't be like that Lily you're family is hard to get along with, at lest your sister's family is. Your parents are awesome!" He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "Besides I know your not blind to Dudley pushing Harry around, doesn't help that Petunia and Vernon encourage his behavior, saying he's a boy mean's nothing when the kids a spoiled brat."

"James!"

"No, don't deny it. You know as well as I do that kid gets away with everything. If Harry comes to me tonight, I don't want you scolding him." They both looked at one another.

"James they're family they should get along."

"To get along is fine Lily, but to be tormented is another thing. Harry's safe guard is coming to me tonight. He already told me he would try, but if he gets tired, or Dudley is bulling him, he will come to me. Please don't push him." Her brow frowned she searched James visage eyes traveling to his, looking behind the glasses. "You know I'm right on this." She let out a sigh.

"Alright. I just want them to get a long." Raising a hand to Lily's face James cupped her cheek and leaned in.

"I know love but sometime's that takes time, and maturity."

His hands played in the water watching as the suds washed off, falling into the sink. Harry looked up and smiled.

"Hi Tom!" he turned and hopped down from his stepping stool approaching the slightly taller boy.

"Good afternoon Harry." They both stood before one another. Harry smiling up at Tom, who nodded his head in greeting.

"I haven't seen you all day, where have you been?"

"I have been around, I was never to far from you." A puzzled look crossed Harry countenance.

"Oh then how come you didn't show your self to me? I was worried." Tom turned away from Harry and made his way out of the bathroom.

"I was looking into things, and I needed to remain unnoticed." He clasped his hands behind his back knowing Harry was following him down the hall and to the stairs, making his way up them. Harry paused at the bottom looking at Tom. Harry had used the down stairs bathroom to wash up, still weary of the one upstairs. "Come along Harry." Looking up Harry noticed Tom was at the top and he was still at the bottom, he jolted up the stairwell.

"What kind of things were you looking into?" they were walking down the hall, making their way to Harry's room.

"The incident from last night." Harry blinked in surprise his body going on autopilot; he dragged his feet to the bed, not once noticing as his bedroom door shut on its own. Tom stood in front of the bed watching as Harry's pale face flushed.

"Should I help?"

"No. I want you to stay as far away from this as you can."

"Tom?"

"No, if you don't go looking for it, it should leave you alone." He had moved closer to Harry looking into wide green eyes. "Promise to stay away!" Harry looked about to argue but a strong hissing voice had him pause "Promise!" the command made Harry answer before he could even think about what he was promising.

"I promise Tom." Drawing back Tom looked to the side and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Good."

"But remember Tom you promised to tell me if it gets bad." The hand pointing at him irked Tom, so he raised his own and grabbed Harry's hand pulling it down he leveled Harry with a stare.

"But of course, you have my word." His cold hand tightened it's hold on Harry's, before releasing. Tom moved and sat upon the bed. "Now Harry, what's going on down stairs?"

"Oh we're having my moms sister family over for dinner." Harry pulled a face. "I always hate when they're over, there so, prissy and proper." Tom frowned at him. "Not like you Tom! More like a cond-condes." His brows frowned.

"Condescending."

"That's it! They're condescending! Better then the rest!" Harry had jumped from the bed and was now looking into Tom's eyes.

"I'm condescending." Pouting Harry quipped out.

"Not like them, you'll see Tom, You'll understand when you see them." Tom hummed hands clasped in front of him.

"I will just have to wait and see then." Harry nodded. "Very well then. Should they be here soon?" Harry looked to the clock and blinked.

"Yea, any minute now, I should go down stairs to greet them." Returning his gaze to Tom, he smiled as the other boy slipped from the bed and stood up.

"Shall we?" grinning Harry spun around and marched to the door, where he paused. "What is it?" Harry looked at Tom over his shoulder, hand holding the doorknob.

"Well, it's something my father said." Tom gestured with his hand telling Harry to continue. " It's just that, well he said it may be best if I don't mention you." Harry made a face like he had eaten something sour.

"Agreed."

"What! Really? That doesn't bother you?" he quirked his head looking at Tom on a slant.

"As I once told you Harry, it has been a long time since someone has seen me. Thus when someone who see's me, tells someone who can't see me, about me. They do not understand and most lash out." Harry had let go of the handle and turned to face Tom.

"Lash out?"

"They will think you are nuts." The blunt words coming from Tom seemed to hit Harry hard, and the smaller boy looked to be deep in thought, his brow frowned and his bottom lip being chewed. Slowly wide green eyes looked up at Tom again.

"Yeah I think they'd be the type to think that." His lips pressed together. "It really doesn't bother you?" Tom walked up to him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"No, not when you have brought it to my attention, and have expressed your unease about the situation." A squeeze to his shoulder made Harry smile.

"Harry, come down and greet your Aunt and Uncle!" Lily voice drifted up from downstairs, drawing both boys attention.

"Guess it's time to go down stairs." A frown crossed Harry's features, shaking his head Harry turned and opened his door, Tom followed. They could both hear the commotion of people entering the house.

Just as Harry was making his way over to the entrance he could hear a dog barking and his Uncle's loud booming voice.

"James, Lily you remember my sister Margie!" it was then Harry knew his night had just got worst.

A/N and the Dursley's have arrived. Odd lot they are haha. I think I'm in love with Harry/James, father/son bonding moments. I just think James would be a great dad. sorry it took so long I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for everything no matter they be reviews, faves or alerts they all mean so much to me.