Chapter 8: Pinkie Promise

A/N I do not own harry potter nor do I get paid to write this also I adopting this story from Severus Addicted with their permission so the first 12 chapters are from Severus Addicted.

When Harry finally came back to reality, he realized he was lying on the couch covered up in a blanket. Voices from the other room slowly came to his conscience as he laid on the couch.

"What could have made him panic like that Severus?" A ladies voice came from the other room. Harry could only guess it was that women he heard his father yell as he went unconscious. His assumption was correct when he heard his father next.

"I think it was because he was stressed, but I have no idea in all actuality. I'm sorry Poppy." Severus told the lady named Poppy.

Poppy sighed and said, "What was he stressed about?"

Severus sighed as well and Harry heard the kitchen table chairs pull out and they sat down, "I have a feeling it was because.. Okay let me start at the beginning. Today my nephew and niece came over to spend the night and the children decided to go swimming. While they were out there I heard a lot of screaming and what not. I went out to check on them and saw Amanda and Ethan fighting in the pond. I made them all get out of the pond and get showers. Then we all sat down and talked about fighting... Well we tried to talk about fighting, but then Amanda and Ethan got into another fight and then Eli was denying that he saw what Amanda did to Ethan then the children were looking at Harry to see which side he would take. That's when it happened, he just got this strangled look on his face and his breathing became extremely heavy, then he was out."

Poppy tutted and shook her head, "You will need to speak to your son and his cousins about peer pressure. I believe Harry has anxiety, which is definitely expected seeing how he was treated at his relative's house, and now he is living with you and the living conditions are so different."

Severus nodded his head but he was still confused, "Poppy what is 'Anxiety'?"

Poppy then continued to explain what Anxiety was to Severus, "Severus, anxiety is a distress or uneasiness of the mind. This is normally caused by fear of danger, fear of disappointing people, and sometimes misfortune. Anxiety is almost exactly like a panic attack except it's more complicated and dangerous. Don't get me wrong Severus a panic attack can be dangerous but anxiety is a disorder. Sometimes, well most of the time anxiety is psychiatry. Anxiety is also a state of apprehension and psychic tension occurring in some forms of mental disorders. I am guessing that his Anxiety attack this time was because of the choice of who to agree with, so in that case this was Psychiatry."

Severus interrupted her when he put his hand up, "But how can it be Psychiatry?"

Poppy sighed and glared at him, "Well Severus if you wouldn't have interrupted me, you would know that without having to ask. Now to answer your question it most likely is Psychiatry because Psychiatry can also be uncertainty and fear resulting from the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation. I am guessing that Harry began to worry about whose side he should side with and then he began to fantasize about the result of both sides, then it goes downhill from there. Did you notice if he began to sweat, began to shake, or he became tense?"

Severus thought back to an hour ago, "I didn't notice if he began to sweat. But he was a bit shaky and very tense. Did you not check his pulse to see if his pulse raced during the attack?"

Poppy nodded her head, "His pulse was beating faster than a pixie's wings, Severus. But yes I will ask him later when he is awake if he was sweating or felt over heated. If he wasn't sweating it's no big deal, because some people react to the anxiety attacks differently than others. Some sweat, have a pulsing race, shake and are tense. Some people just over heat, shake and tense. But others do everything; sweat, racing pulse, shake and are tense."

Severus sighed, "But this anxiety thing... Will he grow out of it?"

Poppy sighed also, sometimes she really hated her job. "Well Severus it all depends."

Severus closed his eyes to calm down before he snapped at her, "Depends on what Poppy?"

"It all depends on the boy, sometimes the anxiety will go away for a few years then if something big happens it will suddenly appear again. Anxiety can go away don't get me wrong, but many times it doesn't stay away." Poppy told Severus as he stood to make them both tea.

Suddenly a small voice from the kitchen doorway got both of their attention, "Daddy?"

Severus turned to see Eli, he sighed but walked over to him anyway, "I thought you were asleep son."

Eli nodded, "I was but... Dad is my James going to be okay?"

Poppy looked at Eli with amusement because of Harry's little nickname from him but she didn't say anything because obviously the child was distressed.

Severus nodded, "Yes son, he will be fine I promise you this. Now go on back to bed, I will wake you in the morning for chocolate chip pancakes."

Eli sighed, "But Dad I don't think I can get back to sleep."

Severus looked at the nine year old who barely could keep his eyes open and smiled, "Come I will tuck you in."

Eli sighed in defeat, "Fine!" He then followed his father up to his room where he was tucked in. As soon as Eli's head his the pillow he was fast asleep.

Severus smiled in amusement, "Wasn't tired my butt." he muttered as he walked over to the door, he turned around and smiled at his sleeping child, "Good night son, I love you."

When Severus arrived back into the kitchen Poppy had both of their tea ready, "Thank you Poppy."

Poppy only nodded her head and looked at the clock, the clock read 11:47 PM. "You're welcome Severus. Now I must be going back to Hogwarts, if you need me you know where to find me."

Severus nodded and bid her goodbye.

A few minutes after she was gone a small voice asked from behind him, "You don't want me now do you? Don't worry I wouldn't want me either, I'm too much of a burden." Harry said quietly behind him. He tried to be brave and keep his cool but you could obviously see the hurt deep within him.

Severus turned quickly and pulled the child close to him, "Harry I am not letting you go anywhere. I do want you with all of my heart. And you are not a burden. Not to me and especially not to Eli."

Harry sniffled and a couple tears leaked from his eyes as he whispered in a hoarse voice, "B-but why would you want me when you just found out that I have anxiety? I'm a freak! Why would you even want to be in the same room as me? N-no wonder my relatives hated me so much.."

Severus shook his head and said, "No Harry you are not a freak. Just because you have anxiety does not mean you are a freak, your relatives were wrong when they called you that. We are a family now Harry, and families stick together through everything, the good and the bad."

Family. Harry whipped his tears away and smiled at his dad, "A-are you s-sure?"

Severus gave him a small smile and hugged him, "Of course I am sure, Harry. I love you more then all the little pieces of sand at the ocean."

Harry smiled happily, "You must love me a lot then huh?"

Severus chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair, "So much I can't even put into words."

Harry grinned happily. "I love you too, Dad."

Severus smiled, "Remember Harry. We are a family now, and families stick together through everything. I promise."

Harry was so happy, not only was he loved now but he was also wanted, and what made it even better was the man wasn't ashamed to tell him. His life was complete.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

The next day Harry awoke to Eli jumping up and down at the end of his bed yelling, "You're alive! You're alive!"

Harry sighed and looked around himself. Ethan and Amanda were leaning on his door frame with smiles on their faces as they watched their cousin jump up and down.

Then Amanda spoke up, "Eli you're not supposed to jump on the beds, get off before Uncle Severus comes up. Harry darling it's breakfast time, Uncle Severus said to make sure you get up and come down to eat. So let's go."

Harry exchanged wierded out looks with Eli when he heard her call him 'darling' he mentally shrugged and hopped out of bed, "What's for breakfast? It smells good."

Amanda nodded her head and exclaimed merrily, "Oh it is! It's his 'famous' chocolate chip pancakes!"

Ethan rolled his eyes at his sister's bouncing back and mumbled, "I don't see why they are so popular with her."

Harry shrugged and followed Eli down to the kitchen to eat.

When they entered Harry saw Severus sitting at the table reading a newspaper that had moving pictures... Wait a minute! Moving pictures?! Harry sighed, he is never going to get used to this magical stuff...

The food was already sitting on the table ready to get served when the children sat down. Severus lowered his newspaper and put it on the counter beside the table.

As they were eating they made small talk, nothing big and they did not mention Harry's anxiety attack last night because Severus told them not to.

"So did you all sleep well last night?" Severus asked as he began to spread butter on his pancake.

Eli nodded his head but since his mouth was full all that came out was, "Ehh ahh."

Severus shook his head and handed his son a handkerchief, "Do not speak with your mouth full Eli, it is not polite and is quite disturbing to those around you."

Ethan smirked and mumbled, "Just looking at his face is disturbing." Amanda heard and stomped on his foot. "Ouch!" he sent Amanda a deathly glare that she held firm.

Severus looked up and gave his nephew a concerned look, "Are you alright Ethan?"

Eli smirked and mumbled, "I sure hope not." This time it was Harry's turn to stomp on Eli's foot, "Ouch!"

Amanda and Harry shared amused looks then went back to eating. They both missed the slightly amused/slightly confused look they got from Severus.

"Eli are you alright?" Severus asked his son.

Eli nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine Dad. Harry here just has a uh foot problem." he sent a sly smirk Harry's way.

Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Nah he just has a great imagination. Maybe he should take up acting." Harry sent a sly smirk right back at him.

Severus looked between the four children in concern and confusion, concern because he didn't want them to kill each other and confusion because he had no idea what was going on. With a sigh he went back to the question he first asked, "So how did you all sleep last night?"

Amanda smiled and replied, "Great, except I could hear Ethan snoring the whole way across the hall." she threw Ethan a glare.

Ethan smiled at his uncle and said, "Well I for one slept wonderfully."

Harry couldn't help but smile at that, then he said, "I slept good."

Severus gave him a concerned look then asked, "Only good? Did you have a nightmare or something?"

Ethan snorted at that making Eli see red. Eli jumped across the table and put Ethan in a headlock before anyone could register what just happened, "Don't you dare make fun of Harry! Who do you think you are?!"

Severus quickly stood and tried to pull his son off his nephew, "Eli, let go now!"

Eli glared at his cousin and left go. Severus quickly took Eli by the shoulders, "Eli Avian what have I told you about fighting? We just went over this last night!"

Eli sent a withering glare to his cousin then said, "I wasn't fighting him, I was only putting him in a headlock. A headlock is a wrestling move, Dad."

Severus glared at him and said, "Watch the cheek, child. I don't care if it is a wrestling move or not! You do not do that to your cousin, now go up to your room and stay there. I will be up soon."

Eli sighed but quickly ran to his bedroom.

Harry silently watched his brother run from the room. This was his fault, all his fault. Harry felt his eyes watering up so he quickly blinked them away so they didn't show. Maybe he should just go back to his relative's house... He may not be happy there but Eli wouldn't get in as much trouble...

Harry wasn't very hungry anymore so he just played with his food while everyone else sat and ate.

"Ethan apologize to Harry immediately." Severus demanded of his nephew.

Ethan started to grumble and complain but one look from his uncle and he was apologizing. "I'm... Sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have done that, it was rude of me."

Amanda nodded her head and said, "You're right it was very rude!"

Ethan glared at her but she stood her ground.

Harry nodded his head, "It's alright. That's not why I didn't sleep well anyway. I've never slept well... But that doesn't matter."

Severus had a look of concern on his face *once again* then said, "Doesn't matter? Of course it matters you silly boy. I will give you a sleeping potion tonight so you can sleep well."

Harry looked at him confused about the "Sleeping Potion" but shrugged it off and played with his food.

Severus sighed then stood from the table, "I will be back in probably fifteen minutes, behave yourselves or I will stick you to the chairs."

Once he was gone the children finished eating then Ethan disappeared into the Parlor to do something Harry wasn't sure he wanted to know about.

Amanda sighed and looked at her new cousin, "What's wrong, Harry? I know there is something wrong, I can tell so don't lie."

Harry shrugged and kept his eyes on his plate, "It's nothing important."

Amanda stood and sat on the chair closer to Harry, she grabbed his hand and looked deep into his eyes, she then said, "Harry, you are my cousin. To me if you are upset, that is important. Please tell me, Harry."

Harry quickly looked away when he felt his tears were about to fall, he tried blinking them back again but this time it was too hard and for some reason he didn't want to hide his sadness, he didn't want to hide his tears. Amanda saw the tears and pulled him into a hug. They sat like that for about five minutes until Harry stood and walked to the door that led outside, Amanda followed him and together they went for a walk.

Amanda laid her arm around his shoulder and suddenly she felt him flinch. She quickly pulled her arm away and said, "I'm sorry did I hurt you?"

Harry sighed and shook his head, "No you didn't. I'm sorry."

Amanda was now confused, "Harry?"

Harry looked at the ground as he walked and mumbled, "It's nothing."

Amanda sighed, "Harry."

It was Harry's turn to sigh as they turned from the house and sat under the willow tree by the pond. "Promise not to laugh at me?"

Amanda gave him a serious look then said, "I pinkie promise." she held out her pinkie for Harry to finish the promise. When he did she smiled at him and said, "You can trust me, Harry."

Harry closed his eyes and just listened to the birds sing in the tree above them, when he got enough courage he opened his eyes and said, "I use to live with my aunt and uncle and when I lived with them I was like their personal slave... Th-they abused me." As soon as he said it he quickly closed his eyes and waited for the laughing to start, but instead of laughing he felt her wrap her arms around him again and hug him. He slowly opened his eyes confused, "This is the part where you laugh and run off to tell everyone you see."

Amanda shook her head, "No it's not, Harry. This is the part where I hug you so you are feeling better."

Harry shook his head, "I'm confused. Why would you hug me to make me feel better?"

"Just think about it like this, when I wrap my arms around you to hug you all of your problems melt away and evaporate." Amanda told him gently as she continued to hold him in her arms. "But Harry this is also the part where I tell you that you are not alone, and that I love you." Soon Amanda felt her shirt become damp and she knew he was crying, the only thing is she didn't understand was that she couldn't hear him cry and this concerned her. "Harry you're allowed to make noise when you cry, you know that right?"

Harry shook his head, "No I am not, if you cry and make noise it only shows that you're pathetic, I hate to hear my patheticness..."

Amanda shook her head violently and said, "No, you are not pathetic and crying doesn't make you pathetic! I promise you this Harry, making noises while you cry is normal. You're relatives were not normal, you did not deserve what they did to you! I pinkie promise!"

Harry smiled, he liked 'pinky promises', "Are you sure?"

Amanda nodded her head and smiled, "Positive."

Harry sniffled and whipped the tears away from his eyes, "Thanks, Amanda."

Amanda smiled and stood. Once she was standing she held out for her new cousin. He smiled up at her and grabbed her hand, once he had a hold of it she pulled him up.

"Come on cuz, let's head inside and play a game." Amanda said as she put her arm around Harry's shoulders, this time he did not flinch, she smiled when she realised this.

Harry was very confused with himself for opening up like that to her, he normally kept things to himself. His 'dirty little secret'. Especially opening up to her since he hardly knows her, but for some reason it just seemed right. And besides she did pinkie promise him. Harry grinned as they entered the house.