Apparition scared Harry, and Severus held the sobbing boy close to his heart as they arrived at Severus' home, Prince Manor. The place had been in the family for years, and although Severus wasn't particularly fond of it because of the less-than-happy memories it brought back, it was still his home nevertheless and he was happy he had somewhere to come back to. Severus had always hoped that one day he, Harry, and Lily would be able to live here happily together again, as a family, but long ago he had given up that hope. Tears sprang to his eyes as he realized that half of that dream was being fulfilled.

The boy in his arms was shaking, and Severus whispered soothingly to him, amazed at his own kindness, until the green eyes that could either make or break Severus stared up into his own black ones. "I'm sorry, sir," Harry said immediately, struggling to get out of Severus' grasp. "Please… I'm sorry. I'll go away. Please… don't hurt me. Please."

Surprised, Severus sat Harry down on the floor immediately and sank down into one of the comfortable armchairs that adorned the sitting room. Harry scrambled, quicker than Severus had ever seen a child move, over to the corner, where he wrapped himself up in a ball and seemed to almost disappear. Severus supposed it was a skill learned over many years of torment- make yourself unnoticeable, and no one will see you. Make yourself invisible, and you won't get hurt.

As he leaned back in the chair, Severus cried. He had cried so much in the past seven years that it seemed impossible that tears would come; but they did, and Severus succumbed to them willingly, uncaring, knowing the reason for his tears was a valid one. He had been so blind, so unbearably, unbelievably blind... Lily's death had led to his being lost in misery, lost in the grief of losing his wife. He hadn't realized that in the process, he had lost his son along the way. Harry had been taken away from him; Severus had been in no condition to care for his one-year-old, let alone care for himself. He had allowed Harry to be taken away, and his immense guilt almost crushed him. The worst part is, Severus hadn't even been able to grasp the fact, in that moment, that Harry would be less than happy with Lily's sister.

But Harry had been less than happy.

Severus couldn't even think the word abuse. He didn't think it was even possible, that his son could be abused just because he was who he was. But what he had seen pointed to it; Harry's words and demeanor pointed to it; and Severus guessed that Harry's small body would carry scars of it. Merlin, he had messed up so badly. Severus had always been the strong one, and in those years that he had been lost, his son had been made into something that resembled him, the one thing that Severus had hoped wouldn't happen. Broken, shattered. A spirit crushed, a childhood ruined. Just like Severus, Harry would be living with the memories of torture and mistreatment that would surely haunt him just as they still haunted Severus. Severus hated himself for that.

Rubbing his face with one hand and rising, Severus made himself a strong cup of tea and noticed that Harry had fallen asleep in the corner. He sighed. He didn't blame the small boy. He was still very young, and yet from what he had heard and figured out the boy had been forced to do work that many children twice his age wouldn't have even thought about doing.

His son moved around quite a lot in his sleep, and Severus wondered why that was while at the same time exulting at the way he could now say my son. Severus wondered if Harry, too, was haunted by dreams. He expected him to be.

His suspicion was confirmed when Harry began thrashing around and crying out in his sleep in his little corner. The boy had wrapped into an even tighter ball, and although he had rolled on to one side, the minuscule quality that seemed to constantly hover around his son's body still scared Severus beyond means. He had never thought of himself as one who would be a caring, considerate parent, but now it turned out he was.

Severus made his way over to the boy and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, shaking Harry and trying to calm him without scaring him. As it turned out, he didn't succeed. Harry jolted awake and had stood up before Severus could even react.

"I'm sorry- I didn't mean to, I'll never fall asleep again, I'm sorry, Uncle Vernon- pwease, I'll be better- don't hurt me, pwease..." Harry's frightened whimpers continued as Severus swept the boy into his arms.

"Shhh, Harry," he murmured, rubbing the child's back. "Remember? It's your father, you're my boy, nobody's going to hurt you. I promise. Shh, child… I'm here…."

Harry was comforted, or at least silent, after awhile, and Severus sat him down on the floor again. The boy stood, at his full height barely reaching his father's waist. He was definitely undernourished. Severus was silent as Harry stood, just contemplating; the silence was awkward though. Harry was obviously waiting for direction, while Severus seemed to be waiting for divine inspiration. He had no idea what to say.

"Harry, child," Severus spoke quietly, as not to scare his son. Harry looked startled when he realized Severus was speaking to him kindly. "Do you understand why you are here?" He moved over to sit on the loveseat, hoping Harry would join him; his hopes weren't fulfilled, though. Harry continued to stand.

The boy shook his head, his black hair and green eyes reminding Severus with a start of how much he looked like a perfect combination of him and Lily.

"You are my son," Severus repeated, "And you are going to live with me."

Harry looked up at him finally, and once again those eyes- Lily's eyes- threatened to tear the life right out of Severus. "My parents are dead, sir." he whispered, tears shining in the green eyes. It almost broke Severus' heart.

"That is a lie," Severus said, his voice breaking as he realized tears were streaming unbidden down his face. "Your mom is dead, but I'm not."

Harry nodded silently, and he seemed to be working up the courage to ask a question. Severus nodded encouragingly. "Are you my daddy?"

Severus smiled, and he hugged the boy. Harry seemed uncomfortable but he didn't fight it. Severus knew that he was only used to taking what came, and not caring about his discomfort or pain; but that would change soon, and Harry recognizing the situation was good.

Yes, Harry. I'm your daddy, and you're never going back to that horrible place."

--

To be continued…

Almost 600 words longer! Yay! I hope this is better.

Please review. I only got 3 reviews the last chapter?! I mean, what's up with that?

Review!