A/N: Okay, I feel the need to address this since people, no, someone, doesn't seem to get it. This is an AU fic. That means alternate universe, which means it may not be like the damn book. Second, it's fiction of course it isn't going to be fucking realistic. Third, I'm not a professional writer, I have inconsistantcies, if you don't like it, then don't fucking read it! And if you had read it correctly it says that Harry only learned how to read a little bit, he only knew some words, look, in chapter 3 when Harry gets his letter. Plus if you didn't do something for a long time, especially reading, it's likely you would forget a bit. Get a life and stop trying to flame my story.

"What is your problem?" Malfoy shouted. "He's going mad because you refuse to see him!"

Severus sat with his back to Malfoy. He knew Harry was miserable but being around Harry with his… problem wasn't a much better idea. After all Harry had been through, Severus couldn't do that. He couldn't compromise Harry's trust. "Keep your nose out of things you don't understand Draco."

"You promised him! You promised him you wouldn't leave him. He hasn't showered in a week. He hasn't eaten anything substantial. He's wasting away, stewing in his anger. Uncle Sev, you know better than I do how Harry gets when he is upset. I can almost see his anger around him. It's like his aura is darkening. You owe him an explanation at least." Severus remained unmoving. "I can't believe you. I need to go home, Harry is in his room if you decide to visit." Draco walked to the door and paused. "He's not the only one you've abandoned."

Severus waited until after the door closed before he let his shoulders slump and his pain show visibly on his face. He knew he had to do something but he wasn't sure how to do it without further damage to Harry.

Severus arrived at the Malfoy Manor the next day. He was greeted by Draco and taken up to Harry's room. He was disgusted with himself when he saw the state of the boy he had promised to take care of. Harry smelt awful. His hair lay flat against his head and his clothes stank of sweat. He was almost catatonic.

"Harry. Harry I'm here. You need to listen to me. You need to get up, get clean and get something into your stomach. Harry! Draco, get a hot bath running. I need to get him cleaned up."

Draco ran into the bathroom and ran water for Harry's bath.

"Harry, I'm going to get you into a bath. I need to take your clothes off. I just want to get you clean. I'm going to pick you up and take you into the bathroom okay?" Harry still didn't respond but Severus wanted there to be as little surprise as possible. Especially when Severus had to get Harry undressed.

There was no problem getting Harry undressed, however, as soon as his skin came into contact with the water Harry began struggling. "Let me go! Please! Don't put me in there! Please I promise I'll be good!"Severus almost fell as Harry fought against him.

"Harry!"Draco grabbed underneath the brunette's arms as Severus fought Harry's kicking legs. Severus had to step into the water in order to get Harry even partially submerged.

"Harry, it's me, it's Severus."Harry finally looked up at the tall dark man in wonder.

"You're not real! You're not him. He left me. He left me alone to die. Uncle Severus doesn't want me."

"Harry," Severus' voice was pained as Harry began to cry. "Harry, It's me I promise."

Harry began fighting Severus, beating his chest, pushing him away. His Uncle Severus wouldn't leave him like that.

"Harry, I promised you I would follow you and I swear, I swear that hasn't changed."

Harry finally sagged against Severus' chest, weeping. "Why?" he asked weakly, "Why did you leave me?"

"Let's get you clean and I will explain as much as possible." Severus held the boy to his chest. And Harry was that. A boy. Severus understood now, his body understood, Harry was so young, too young in so many ways.

Harry's head was on Severus' chest listening to the vibrations as Severus talked. The two were lying together on Harry's freshly made bed.

"I was afraid Harry. I do not admit that lightly. I was afraid of hurting you, of betraying your trust. I thought it was for your own good that I stay away, but I caused more damage than harm. I understand that now."

"Why were you afraid?"

"I was afraid for the same reason I cannot - will not - explain. It will hurt you."

"Was it something I did?" Harry asked panicked.

"No the fault was all mine Harry, you did nothing wrong, do you hear me?"

Harry nodded against Severus' chest. "Don't do it again... or if you do, don't come back."

Severus had noticed a change in Harry, an apathy that hadn't been there before. It was slight but Severus could see it. Especially when Harry returned to school. Harry was more distant with the other Slytherins but he hid it well.

When Sirius Black broke into Hogwarts, everyone, including Harry, was on high alert. Harry hadn't been told much about the man except what he had heard from his Uncle Severus and that was enough for him to dislike the man immediately. He had heard about all of the bullying Black had done to Severus and how he had once been a friend of the Potters.

"What happened? Why is he in Azkaban?"

"Sirius Black has always been a very petty man. He hated me when we were kids and that did not change as we became adults. Your father managed to get over petty differences for Lily's sake. Lily was my best friend. Black was enraged. He wasn't the most mentally stable man. Most of his family are followers of the Dark Lord anyhow. Well, at that time, I had thought the Potters had changed their Secret Keeper, the person who keeps your location safe, to Pettigrew - Peter Pettigrew, he was a friend of your fathers as well. However, I assume they didn't have the chance to change that before Black turned on them and told the Dark Lord of your location. He killed Pettigrew in the process."

"So he's the reason my parents are dead? He's the reason I was sent to the Muggles?" Harry's face was red with anger. "And now he's trying to come after me. Good. Let him."

End Note: Sorry about the rave and the chapter being so short and semi abrupt end but I needed to say my piece that while I still had the steam. That was for some fucker who kept pointing out how wrong my story was and how unrealisitic etc. People are stupid. But hey! You guys got a chapter out of it!