Chapter Twelve: Shadows that Haunt the Night

A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews :]

~Severus Addicted

Harry slowly looked around the dark room with a petrified silence. He whimpered as he saw a crouched person in the corner of the room. The shadow grew bigger and bigger until it transformed into Uncle Vernon.

Vernon snarled down at the tiny boy and whispered, "You're a Freak, boy. A Freak!" Vernon raised his fist to smash Harry in the face.

Harry screamed for his life. He kicked out when he felt someone try to shake his shoulder, when he felt his foot being forced to stop moving he knew he was done with. If he kicked Uncle Vernon he knew he wouldn't see tomorrow.

Harry whimpered and tried to snuggled down under the covers but he quickly realized he couldn't because they were all tangled around him.

"Please don't! P-Please!" Harry cried out and tried to kick his captive off again.

Harry suddenly felt someone pick him up. He knew he was going to be thrown now, he quickly braced himself for the landing and smash of wall but instead of being thrown he was gently laid down on what seemed like a lap. Harry's eyes flew open and he knew it was all a dream.

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Severus looked down at the petrified child with worry. He did not know what was going through the little boy's mind at the moment but he knew he needed to snap him out of it, "Harry. Harry, child, it's just me!" He tried but to no success as the child kicked out with a scream.

Suddenly he heard Harry softly plead, "Please don't! P-Please!" Something snapped in his brain and he knew the poor boy was having a nightmare about his Uncle. Suddenly he felt a great feeling of protectiveness of the little boy. He slowly leaned over and picked the child up, he felt him stiffen in his arms like he was expecting to be thrown. Severus had to blink back the tears that were threatening to fall as he sat on the rocking chair and slowly began to rock the child back and forth.

Bright Emerald eyes looked up at him from his arms and he immediately took notice of the trust that shown through them, the hope and desire to be wanted, to be loved. Severus ran his fingers gently through the messy black hair as he whispered soothing words to calm the child, "It's alright Harry. I am here, no one can hurt you when I have you, I won't let anyone touch you. You're okay. That's it close your eyes, go to sleep and have no worries. I will watch over you, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Harry lightly nodded his head and soon he was asleep once again. Severus smiled sadly down at the boy... His boy.

After a few minutes Severus slowly fell into a sleep where he dreamed of having a family and being happy... For once in his life.

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Severus awoke with a start when he heard something smash in the other room, he jumped to his feet and ran towards the kitchen only to abruptly stop in shock as he watched the little boy stand on a chair and stir what smelled like Scrambled Eggs.

"Harry what are you doing?" Severus asked as he slowly made his way over to the little boy making breakfast.

Harry jumped in fright and said, "I-I'm sorry it's not done yet.. It was supposed to be done before you woke up sir." Harry shamefully lowered his head as he awaited the punch that was sure to come.

Severus stared at the little boy standing on the wooden chair in shock, "Harry why were you cooking breakfast?"

Harry snapped his head up in attention as he quickly tried to explain, "You have t-to eat..."

Severus sighed and picked the boy off the chair and sat him on the floor. Once he was down he then put the wooden chair back where it belonged then turned off the oven and turned to Harry who was silently crying. "Harry, come with me. We need to have a talk."

Harry winced at the word "talk" but he nodded his head anyway and whispered, "O-okay."

Severus sighed as he looked down at the boy by his side. He gently grabbed his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, "You're not in trouble, Harry."

Harry seemed to relax to that but he was still rigid. Obviously the boy learned at a very early age to always be on guard.

Severus sat down on the coach and pulled the boy close to him, he wrapped his arm around the small frame and said, "Harry, you do not have to cook any meals. You are four years old, you shouldn't even be allowed to touch the microwave yet let alone a oven."

"I-I'm sorry!" Harry whispered desperately.

Severus put his finger against Harry's small lips and said, "There is no need to apologize, Harry. Just promise me you will not use the oven again until I give you permission. Understood?"

Harry quickly nodded his head in agreement, "Mhm."

Severus nodded his head, "Okay now that is settled. What do you want to do today?"

Harry tapped his chin as he thought of what he wanted to do, then suddenly it seemed like a light ball came on and he smiled as he said, "Walk?"

Severus smiled, "What does 'walk?' mean?"

Harry looked at him confused then asked tentatively, "Um... Well you see you move your legs back and forth.... Like this." Harry stood and demonstrated by walking to the other side of the room.

Severus had to hold back his smile as he nodded his head, "Yes that's true but you should say instead of "walk?" you should say "May we go for a walk?" It is polite to ask things in this manner."

Harry gave him a weirded out look. On his four year old face he looked so silly but if he was still his fourteen year old self he would have looked snotty. Severus couldn't stop himself from laughing at the look.

Harry continued to look at him weird then asked, "Why?"

Severus stopped laughing and just looked at him for a minute, "Excuse me?" He truly didn't understand the question.

Harry nodded and said, "You're excused."

Severus shook his head and said, "Thank you but that is not what I mean, Harry. What I meant was, what do you mean?"

Harry stood up and began to pace back and forth like he was trying to explain the hardest thing in the world, "Well... Why do I have to say "May we go for a walk?" What if I don't want to go for a walk? What if I want to watch T.V? Saying "May" at the begining just sounds weird..." Harry abrupty stopped and stared at the shocked man like he was waiting for an answer and it better be quick.

Severus just stared at him then said, "I thought you said you wanted to go for a walk..?"

Harry nodded his head and smiled, "Yes."

Severus tilted his head to the side, he was so confused! "Then why do you want to know why we have to go for a walk."

It was Harry's turn to stare at him in confusion, "What if I don't want to go for a walk?"

Severus sighed in frustration, "I thought you just said that you wanted to go for a walk!"

Harry stared at him then said, "Let's go." Harry turned from the man to hide a huge grin, he loved this game!

Severus sighed as he stood. "Are you sure you want to go for a walk?"

Harry nodded his head eagerly, "Mhm."

Severus nodded his head then together they left the rooms and began their venture around Hogwarts. While they were on their walk Harry met all of the professors that were there. All the teachers thought he was the cutest thing ever which made him blush. His favorite professor he met was Hagrid he reminded him of a big, soft teddy bear. Plus he had tons of cool looking animals which was so amazing!

But soon the walk was over and it was lunch time. They made their way to the Great Hall where everyone was seated eating lunch.

Apparently more of the professors returned from their homes today because everyone was seated in their seats. A booster seat was placed beside Severus' chair at the Head Table.

Automatically as soon as they stepped through the Grand Doors all the lady professors began to cue and aw at the little boy making him shyly hide behind Severus' long legs and peek out. Much to Harry's dismay this just made them cue and aw more.

Severus smiled down at the boy and gently picked him up and placed him on his hip as they neared the Head Table. He placed him in the booster seat and buckled him in then sat down himself and put a small plateful of food in front of Harry. Then he served himself a plateful and began to eat.

Harry stared down at the food in disgust. 'This man actually wants me to eat this green stuff?!' Harry stuck his tongue out in disgust then check to make sure his guardian was busy talking to people and he quickly switched plates with his. Harry smiled as he looked at all the good food on the plate, now this was a feast!

Right as he was about to put his fork in he felt someone glaring at him, he slowly looked up only to see his guardian not so happy.

"Harry James. You do not take someones plate! Understand? That is very impolite, now apologize." Severus said sternly.

Harry lowered his eyes to his hands as he murmured his apology. Suddenly he felt someone put their finger under his chin and push it up so he was staring into those black orbs that never ended.

Severus stared at the emerald eyes and said sternly, "I did not catch that, please repeat yourself."

Harry gulped as he felt everyone staring at him, "I'm sorry." He then switched the plates back and looked down at his hands as he felt tears welling up in his eyes.

Severus sighed as looked at him, "Harry. It's alright, you are not in trouble." Severus knew everyone was staring and he was attempted to yell at them to mind their own business but that would teach Harry the wrong things.

Harry threw his arms around Severus' waist and cried making Severus' shirt get a wet mark.

Severus sighed and pulled the boy from his seat and into his lap, he ran his long fingers through his hair and said, "I think it's time for someones nap, don't you think?"

Harry suddenly looked up at him and shook his head, "No, no nap."

Severus smirked down at him and said, "You're not in the least bit sleepy?"

Harry shook his head in denial making Severus stare at him in disbelief. "Not even a tiny bit?"

Again Harry shook his head and said, "No nap!" But he couldn't help the little yawn afterwards making Severus smile in amusement.

"Not tired at all huh? Maybe you should try to eat something before we head back for your nap. Okay?" Severus asked and gave him another scoop of food because the food on his plate was cold.

Harry fiercely shook his head, "I don't want a nap."

Severus sighed and handed him a fork. Harry chucked it across the table and it clanged onto the floor on the other side.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the boy and said, "You go pick that up. Then you will come back here and sit down to eat. Now!" Severus raised his eye brows when the child didn't move, "One." Harry jumped from his seat and ran to pick up the fork.

Severus knew everyone was watching but he didn't care, Harry was his responsibility and he was not going to allow him to act like a brat. When he arrived back to the other side of the table with the fork in his hand Severus picked him up and put him back in the booster seat then he said, "Now you are going to eat at least five bites then we may leave. If you chuck your fork again I will smack your behind."

Harry sadly nodded knowing he was in trouble, he glanced over at Minerva and she gave him a look that told him he should listen to his guardian if he knew what was good for him.

Minerva smiled over at Albus as if to tell him that this was truly a good idea. Severus was learning to be a father and Harry was learning to be loved and to have a real childhood for once.

Harry stabbed the broccoli fiercely with his fork then ate it, he continued with this pattern until all five bites were done. Harry shyly looked up at his guardian and asked in a small voice, "Can we go back now?"

Severus nodded and stood, "You will be going to your nap as soon as we get back though."

Harry yawned widely as he followed Severus out the doors, "But I'm not tired."

Minerva and Poppy shared amused looks as Harry immediately stopped walking making Severus turn around and pick him up in a cradle position and he closed his eyes and was asleep.

Severus looked up from Harry's sleeping form in his eyes and gave Albus a smile that warmed the man's heart.

A/N: Hey guys thanks for reading :]

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Please don't forget to review :]

~Severus Addicted