After a moment of light bonding, Harry had returned to his state of awkwardness in his corner, and Severus was satisfied with their progress for the moment. Harry eventually fell asleep, and Severus didn't want to wake him. He looked so tiny, a little ball of a child who had been hurt so badly. Every time Severus saw his green eyes- just like Lily's- and the black hair that very nearly matched his own, his heart broke because he was reminded of what had been lost.

Severus carried Harry to the guest room and placed him on the bed. The room was dark, and with a quick spell Severus set a nightlight that would last until the daytime. It was still very early in the day, but no child that age should be up that early, especially to work. Severus remembered his own childhood, and the realms of torture that had created his daily life for years. The fact that Harry had followed in his father's footsteps, in this tragic and horrible way, was practically shattering to Severus.

Severus went and sat in the kitchen to think. So many things had happened, and it all seemed overwhelming. Harry was obviously scarred in more ways than one; not only on his body, but his mind had learned to live in the ways of the evil Muggles. He thought he was worthless, and he expected everyone to think of him that way. It was almost unbearable that any child would be treated that way! Severus swore that the Dursleys would be punished.

After awhile, Severus decided that Harry would most likely be hungry. He walked slowly into his son's room; he knew the boy would still be scared, but he wanted to be as cautious as possible. At first his mind had revolted at the thought of waking the child up and frightening him; but if his suspicions were right, the little boy hadn't had much to eat in the past few days, and from experience Severus knew that wasn't happy.

"Harry?" he called, a bit loudly, as to wake the boy up. The boy started, and in an instant Harry was standing, rubbing sleep from his eyes and trying to look attentive. Severus marveled at the boy's amazing control over both his mind and his sleep patterns- to be awake, standing, and ready in two seconds flat was a feat that was hard to accomplish.

"Sir- I'm sorry, sir, I don't know how I got in the bed- I'll never do it again-" Harry's eyes were wide with fear, and Severus could see him trembling lightly.

"Harry," Severus said soothingly, trying his best to keep his voice low and controlled, "I put you there, and that is your bed. You can sleep there whenever you want."

"Really?" Harry looked up in wonder at the big bed, and then he looked scared at the fact that he had just asked a question. But with a shy look at Severus, he said softly, "Thank you sir! Thank you."

Severus smiled; he was glad that Harry would be so trusting, at least at small things such as a bed. He knew that trust in the way he was treated would be a different matter, but they would come to that hurdle in time. For now, speaking and believing was the most important thing.

"How about some breakfast?" Severus said, looking down at the boy appraisingly. He was beginning to get the idea that with Harry, you never knew what his reaction would be. So it was with abused children, and again Severus cursed himself.

"Oh, yes sir! Of course!" Harry scrambled out of the room, moving fast for someone so young and frail. Severus followed him, wondering where the boy could be going, but with a curious suspicious sense of mind as he walked. They ended up at the kitchen, and Harry said softly, "What do you want me to make, sir? I can make pancakes, or eggs, or anything you want-"

"I will make the breakfast," Severus said firmly. So the boy had been a slave? Not only abused, but a slave? Severus' face burned with contained fury. Those people will pay.

"Sit down, Harry, please," Severus said, pointing at a chair next to the table, his face impassive.

"I'm… allowed to sit, sir?" Came the tentative question. Harry looked so small in his too-big clothes with his small body.

"Of course you are," Severus said, a little bitterly; but thankfully, the boy didn't catch the tone. "Sit down, please."

Severus busied himself with making eggs, without looking at Harry. He wanted the boy to see that Severus was the parent, not him, and that Severus would take care of them, not him. That was an important lesson, and one Severus hoped Harry would learn soon enough. It would definitely take time. But for now, giving Harry the example of what was the right way to live was all he could do.

Severus brought two steaming plates of eggs to the table, and set one down in front of Harry and one in front of himself. To his surprise, Harry was crying silently, tears streaming down his small face and into his lap.

"Why are you crying?" Severus asked, surprised and a bit shocked.

Harry shook his head, and the tears immediately stopped (another amazing feat), but then he said, "I'm sorry, sir. Why are you so nice to me?"

"Because you're my son," Severus explained, sighing. This was going to be a long day. "It's my job to take care of you." Severus hated the fear Harry seemed to have of questions.

Harry accepted that answer, and stared at the plate of food in front of him. Severus began eating; the eggs were very good, and Severus was hungry. "Why aren't you eating?" he asked, almost dreading the answer. He was right; the answer made him beyond angry.

"I'm allowed to eat? Sir?"

"Of course you are, my boy," Severus said kindly. None of this was Harry's fault. "Eat up."

Harry dug in with excitement in his eyes, shoveling his mouth full of food and swallowing greedily.

Severus asked the question he feared: "When was the last time you ate, Harry?"

Harry looked up at him with guarded eyes, the green, gray, and black specks in them shining. "Um… four days ago, sir," he answered softly. "But I got a few bread crusts yesterday. They were so good… it was because I finished all my chores before Uncle Vernon got home."

Severus stopped listening. Four days? Without eating? For a seven-year-old child? It was inconceivable. Something had to be done.

Severus was so glad that he had rescued Harry, and with each passing moment he hated himself more. He had been so caught up, and so blinded… his own pain had left him unaware of his surroundings, and for that he cursed himself. Here this little boy was, his little boy, and he was so broken it wasn't even funny.

Severus promised it would get better.

--

TBC…

I am so sorry about the delay, so insanely sorry. It's been over two months. But here's an update for you. I realize that those of you who already reviewed each chapter can't do it again, but if you haven't, feel free to leave me a review. Thanks.