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The next morning Arthur sat on the edge of Harry's bed and reached over to gently wake his son up.

"Good morning Harry."

Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked over guiltily at his adoptive father. Knowing exactly what Harry was thinking Arthur gave him a soft smile and brushed the hair gently off Harry's cheek. The boy's emotions were written on his face as clear as day.

"It's alright Harry; I know now. Don't fret about what is in the past, we'll help you through everything to come."

Harry gave a shy nod and looked away from Arthur to look at the wall. "I'm damaged."

Arthur gently forced Harry's chin up and looked him in the eyes. "No Harry, you were hurt in the most awful of ways and before you say anything else; you are not at fault. You are a child, Harry and no one should hurt a child."

The boy started to protest that he had magic and should be able to protect himself, but Arthur just put a gentle finger to his lips to stop him. "No Harry that doesn't matter. He was bigger and stronger than you, and you weren't allowed to use your magic during the summer. You are not at fault here, he it."

Looking at the wall away from Arthur again, Harry closed his eyes. "My Uncle didn't...do that..."

Gently Arthur moved his hand to rest tenderly on Harry's shoulder. "Then who Harry?"

Harry Hesitated, he has never told anyone before. Could he now?

Just as gentle as before, Arthur began to rub Harry's back to comfort him. "You can tell me anything Harry. Nothing you could say can chase me away. I will always be here for you."

Taking a deep breath, Harry lent into Arthur's kind touch. "Dudley...he found out I was gay..."

Arthur closed his eyes for a moment to gain his calm back. Not even the Dursley's son was a decent person. Opening his eyes again Arthur stroked back Harry's hair tenderly and decided that it was time to change the subject. "Alright Harry, it's time for breakfast, but first why don't you take a shower and then Severus left some creams for me to help put on your scars. Does that sound alright?"

Harry gave a small nod, he trusted Arthur to be gentle...and not to hurt him. Almost every other adult had hurt him in his life in one way or another, but Arthur and his family had always shown him great care and love. Something that he knew he craved and needed desperately.

Smiling slightly Arthur gave Harry's shoulder a gentle pat as he stood up. "I'll leave you to it then, Harry and I'll be back when you're done."

Nodding, Harry watched as Arthur left the room. With the adult gone Harry leaned forward and sighed into his hands. They all knew now, everything. He had never thought that he would tell anyone, and he hadn't been prepared either; it had just happened. It seemed that Arthur still wanted him though, he wasn't pushing him away. He had even said that nothing he said could chase him away...was that true?

Pushing that thought away for later Harry sighed, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and then got up to go take a shower. Grabbing his clothing, he headed to the bathroom, and was very glad not to run into anyone in the normally busy hallway. He had a feeling Arthur had shooed them all from the hall and bedroom so he could have some peace, and he was very grateful. He didn't think he could face anyone more than he had to at the moment. He was feeling very vulnerable with his secrets now in the open.

Escaping to the bathroom, Harry quickly took his shower and got dressed in his less than wonderful clothes from the Dursley's. Although he hated these clothes, he had to admit that they had come in handy hiding his tiny frame and not rubbing on his wounds when they were painful.

When he was back in his room, he spotted Arthur sitting on the bed with two jars of cream in his lap. Spotting Harry, Arthur gave the boy a small smile and lifted one of the jars of cream. With a small nod Harry went over to sit next to him.

"Why don't we start with your back Harry? Can you take your shirt off?"

Harry looked down at his lap, but complied by turning himself so his back was now facing Arthur. By the time he was completely turned, though he was slowly hyperventilating. He knew Arthur wouldn't hurt him, but he hated having his back to anyone. It made him feel uncomfortable...and brought back bad memories.

Watching Harry's back rise and fall rapidly as the boy sucked in small breaths Arthur set the creams down on the bed and moved to kneel before Harry's face.

"Harry, look at me."

Harry looked up at Arthur with his breathing still rapid and a few tears escaping. Sighing Arthur reached up and placed a gentle hand on his cheek. "Calm down Harry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to make you feel better."

Harry gave a small nod and then launched himself into Arthur arms. His emotions were shot, and he hated this crying over any little thing, but he just couldn't help it.

Gently, Arthur wrapped his arms around Harry and held him close. Carefully he reached up onto the bed and grabbed the anti-scar cream while he was trying to soothe Harry.

"It's alright Harry, just keep taking nice deep breaths. I have the cream here, I just need you to relax a bit more."

Calming down Harry buried his face in Arthur's shoulder embarrassed that he was crying yet again. He couldn't believe he was acting this way; he was so weak. What happened to the strong boy who had defeated Voldemort four times already?

"That's it Harry. I'm going to rub this cream over your back now, it could be a little chilly. Just keep taking nice deep breaths for me."

Arthur scooped the cream out of the jar and began to tenderly spread it over the boy's back. In just a few minutes, he was finished and set the jar down beside him on the floor while he turned Harry so he could look him in the eye. "Harry I have another cream here that has to be rubbed over your bottom is it alright it I do that. I promise you I will only rub these creams in and nothing else."

Harry let his head collapse back on Arthur's shoulder as he nodded. With a gentle hug from Arthur, he pulled down the back of Harry's trousers and pants to spread in the two creams. As quickly as he could, Author rubbed the cream into Harry's bottom, making sure they were well absorbed into his skin. He then pulled up the boy's pants and then focused on the parts of Harry's arms that had unfortunately gotten in the way of his Uncle's abuse.

Pulling the boy's shirt back on Arthur gently pulled Harry back so that he could look at him one more time. "All that is left is your hand Harry."

The boy gave a small nod and slowly held out his hand for the man to inspect. Gently Arthur took it and examined it before applying a gob of the anti-scaring cream. Closing the jar Arthur looked at the boy and smiled gently.

"Ready for breakfast?"

Harry nodded, but rested his head against his shoulder again soaking in all the comfort he could get. "...Is Sirius going to be there?"

The boy was so quite that Arthur almost missed what he said, but it was fortunate that he had good hearing.

"No Harry, Professor Dumbledore sent him somewhere where he could heal in peace. He's not quite himself after his long stay in prison, and I don't think anyone really realized that until yesterday."

Harry sniffed. "So...so I made Dumbledore send him away? He must hate me even more!"

Arthur wrapped his arms around the boy and let out a small sigh. "No Harry, he doesn't hate you. He's getting help now, like you are. Do you hate us because we're giving you the help you need?"

The boy gave a small shake of the head. "...no...but..."

"No buts Harry. You didn't cause him to be sent away so please don't think of it that way."

Harry nodded and let Arthur look him in the eyes one last time. When the man saw the tears still trickling down his face he summoned a warm washcloth and gently wiped them away.

"There we go Harry, no more tears now. Let's go get some food into you and then I believe Professor Snape is going to come check on you."

Harry nodded and let Arthur helped him stand his feet and then clumsily got up from the floor himself. "Let's try not to sit on the floor again, alright Harry? I don't think my old bones liked that."

Harry let a small smile grace his face as he nodded. He then lent into Arthur's arm as he wrapped it around his shoulder. Gently the man then led Harry out of the room and then down the stairs to the kitchen where everyone was waiting for them.

They were met with silence, but with a few looks from Molly and Arthur the table was bustling like normal. Quietly Harry sat between Arthur and his best friend who smiled at him and began to load his plate for him. Ron knew Harry would only eat enough if he served him himself; otherwise, the boy ate miniscule amounts if anything at all.

Arthur reached over and put a few slices of toast on Harry's plate as well causing Harry to look up at him with a slightly horrified look. Arthur just smiled and patted his shoulder.

"As always Harry, if you can't finish that's alright, but try to eat as much as you can."

The boy gave a soft nod and picked up his fork. The rest of the meal passed as usual, sibling bickering, lots of laughing, and of course eating.

Meanwhile, in the dungeons of Hogwarts the floo was flaring green as Severus stepped out of his bedroom. When the man saw who it was, he just sighed, and sat down on the couch knowing that he was going no further without Don's permission.

Don just smiled at Severus and came to sit in a chair near him.

Severus rose an eyebrow. "So who told you?"

Brushing the fronts of his robes Don smiled even more at the man. "Albus came to me last night. He told me everything he knew, is there anything else I should know?"

Nodding Severus looked at the Healer with pain written across his face. "I was going to get you myself this morning with or without Albus's permission. There is too much for me to Heal, I have never seen someone so hurt before and he needs as experts help."

Don smiled sadly. "Albus said there were significant mental wounds." And then, quietly he stated what he had been thinking all night. "Much like your own."

Severus shook his head. "I, at least had my Mother for the first part of my life. Harry...he has not been so lucky."

"Harry, now is it?" Don rose an eyebrow."

Blushing Severus looked at the wall and then composed himself quickly. "A slip of the tongue, I assure you."

Don nodded, but had a smile playing at his lips. It was funny how quickly perceptions could change, and he could tell that had happened with Severus. It was sad that such an event had to happen for Severus to see that Harry was just a child, but he was glad it had happened never the less.

Severus then looked up at the Healer and frowned. "I found more than what I showed Albus. Someone...forced the boy...to have sex."

The smile that Don was wearing vanished completely and he closed his eyes. "Is it bad?"

"There was swelling from a possible infection. I gave Arthur cream to use to bring the swelling down and prevent any STDs."

Don nodded. "Do you think it's anything serious?"

Severus shrugged his shoulders. "It's not my expertise; I don't really know."

Coming over Don sat in the chair next to Severus. Gently he patted the man on the shoulder. "I know Severus, I'm sorry. How are you feeling about everything?"

Severus nodded. "Angry...at those people...and myself for not seeing it sooner."

"Severus, you cannot blame yourself." Severus started to protest, but Don held up his hand to stop him. "No Severus, let me finish. Yes, you were cruel to him all these years, I will not deny that or sugar coat it, but you know that kids go to great length to hide their wounds. Even if you were kind to him, the likelihood that he would have opened up to is very slim."

Severus sighed and nodded. "I...I won't be like that anymore."

Don nodded and patted Severus's shoulder again. "I'm glad. Now are you ready to go see the child?"

Severus nodded. "Could you heal the breaks? I would, but I think it will help you two build trust."

Smiling Don gave Severus a gentle look and spoke Severus's unspoken words. "You also don't want to cause him any more pain. Am I right?"

Blushing Severus looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about. I just think you two should form some sort of bond if he is to confide in you."

Smiling even more Don gave a small nod knowing that was all Severus was going to say. He would never admit that he just didn't want to see someone he was starting to care about in any pain.

"Don't worry Severus, I'll take care of his bones and his bottom. Now, have you eaten anything this morning?"

Severus signed and shook his head. "No, I was going to, but you came through the floo instead."

"Then, come on Severus, let's get something to eat and then head over."

Severus nodded and called a house elf for their meal. The two ate slowly and when they were finished a house elf was called to clear away the dishes, and they prepared to go the Burrow.

Back at the Burrow, when the meal was almost finished the floo came to life and two people stepped out. One person everyone knew to be Severus Snape, but the other was new to everyone in the room. He looked to be a very kind person, with faded brown hair mixed with a few gray strands, and a smile that would light up the dimmest of rooms. His eyes held mirth, much like the Headmasters, and it was evident that smile lines were present almost constantly.

Molly, being Molly, got up from her seat and ushered the two over to the table and had them sit down in empty seats.

"Dish up you two, and Severus could you introduce your friend here?"

Severus cleared his throat. "Thank you Molly, but we have already eaten and forgive me; this here is Healer Don Patterson. He is a good friend of mine."

Don looked at everyone who was now staring at him and smiled kindly. All the kids were wondering just what kind of person he must be to have a friend such as their bat-like teacher, even Harry who had seen his softer side just yesterday.

"I'm sorry about budging in and interrupting your meal. We should have called before coming." Here, Don gave Severus a pointed look and the man in question hid his face so no one would see his blush.

Severus cleared his throat. "Yes, I must apologize for not calling before hand."

Arthur shook his head. "Nonsense Severus, you are always welcome here. Why don't you have a little something to eat though, and make Molly happy. We can then retire to the library and talk with your friend here."

Severus nodded and opened his mouth to protest that he was simply not hungry, but before he could do so Molly had already dished some scrambled eggs on his plate.

"That's a good boy, you are far too skinny for your own good!"

Severus sighed and knew there was no way out of this. He also knew he was never going to hear the end of this from Don who was silently holding back laughter and a raised eyebrow.

When Molly had decided that yes indeed he had enough to eat, Arthur wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder and gently guided him out of the room to the library. All the Weasley children got up to follow them wanting to know what was going on, but Molly stopped them with just a few words and a stern look.

"Let Harry have his privacy."

It was enough to stop them all in their tracks. They all knew what a private person Harry was, and they didn't want to intrude no matter how curious they were.

Severus and Don then got up from the table, and Don placed a gentle hand on Ron's shoulder. "Don't worry child, we won't eat him. He'll be just fine."

Ron sighed and nodded reluctantly. How did this man, this Healer, know he was so worried about Harry?

Don just squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and smiled as he walked behind Severus to the library. The Healer knew that the boy's mother would reassure him further, he had another boy to worry about...and by the looks of it he had a lot to worry about. Harry had seemed almost reclusive at the table, but then again the poor boy probably had a lot on his mind.

When they arrived in the library Severus held the door open for Don and then closed it behind him. Already on the couch was Arthur with Harry sitting meekly beside him, trying it seemed to sink into the couch.

Calmly Don walked over with a smile and sat in the chair next to Harry. "Hi Harry, let me properly introduce myself. As Severus said my name is Healer Patterson, but if you want you can call me Don. Severus, and so did Professor Dumbledore thought that we should meet up and talk. They may not show it, but they are both very worried about you."

Harry inched closer to Arthur ever so slowly. "Why?"

Don gently smiled at the boy. "Because, they both care for you a great deal and want to make sure you're alright."

Curiously Harry looked over at the stern man who had healed him last night and had held in most of his secrets for him. He really cared about him? Severus Snape cared for Harry Potter? He had been kind and gentle last night, but care? Was that possible?

In the spotlight Severus looked away slightly embarrassed; he was not used to public shows of affection. Even if it was simple the fact that he was starting to care about the child.

"Yes Pot...Harry, I...care."

Harry looked up at the man and then back down at his lap slightly embarrassed. His teacher had just called him by his first name...and actually cared...

Arthur saved the two from their embarrassment by gently patting Harry on the shoulder. "Molly and I want to make sure you are alright as well. You know we love you like our own."

Harry lent into Arthur and nodded against his shoulder. He knew that deep in his heart, but he often doubted that anyone could care for a freak like him.

Don smiled at the two, but then drew the attention back to himself. "Severus says that you have a badly healed bone in your arm and one in your wrist. Would you mind if I looked at them? "

The Healer wouldn't utter the real reason of Severus not wanting to hurt Harry anymore to save him from further embarrassment. He knew Severus's feeling were still unsure in his brain, even if his heart knew. Don smiled as he looked over at Severus and noticed the man was looking down as if he knew exactly where his thoughts were going.

Harry shook his head and handed the Healer his left arm. Gently Don took it and pulled the boy's sleeve up to reveal the fragile limb. Prodding it tenderly Don hummed and pulled over a bag Harry had yet to see.

"Ok Harry, it looks like Severus was right. This bone just didn't heal in the right spot. Does it hurt when you move it?"

The boy shook his head. "No, but it does hurt when it gets cold out or when it rains."

Nodding Don prodded it some more. "It seems that some arthritis has decided to sneak in. I can take care of that though, but you will have to take a few potions to help fend it off before I help heal it fully. Do you have the same pain in your other arm?"

Again, the boy shook his head making the Healer nod and reach behind him into his bag. "Alright then, here are the potions. This one will dampen out any pain you will feel in your wrist and eliminate any arthritis. If it does hurt at all, then you need to tell someone so that we can help you, alright? Sometimes with time the potion can weaken it's effects."

Harry gave a small nod and grimaced as he swallowed the potion all the way down. In just a few minutes the pain faded in his wrist that had been bothering him all morning, and he sighed in relief. Ever since he had broken that bone a few years ago he had hated when it rained like it was this morning, but he had a feeling he would re-learn how to love the water coming from the sky. Before hat, overcast wet days had been his favorite, it meant that he hadn't had to garden in the hot sun.

Hearing the sigh of relief from Harry, Don smiled and handed him another potion. This one is another pain reliever, but this one will help when I cast a spell to re-break your wrist. After you take this, I'm going to cast a spell that will hurt some, but after the bone completely heals it will feel feel much better."

Harry nodded and lent into Arthur even more. As Harry took the potion, Arthur gently drew the boy up so that he was sitting more in his lap. He had experienced this spell before and knew just how much it hurt. He didn't want his son to feel alone when he felt his bone breaking again.

Harry let the man keep his strong hold on him and then outstretched his arm for the Healer to re-break it. Don gently took the limb and sat next to the two on the couch. Tapping his wand on the arm Don uttered the spell. Everyone winced at the sharp crack that could be heard throughout the room, and Harry buried his face in Arthur's chest.

Slowly Don waved his wand again over the wrist and muttered a bone healing spell that would start weaving the bone back together. When he was finished, he reached behind him to his bag and pulled out a soft looking material. Gently he warped it around the wrist, tight enough so that it could be set, but also loose enough that if the limb swelled the boy would be in no pain. Completely wrapped, Don tapped his wand on the soft fabric and hardened the outside to become a cast, but left the inside soft so that it would not become itchy.

Finished, Don placed the arm gently back down on Harry's lap. "All done Harry." Smiling sadly Don put a gentle hand on the back of Harry's head. "Can you look at me, so I can make sure you're alright?"

Harry slowly turned his head from Arthur's chest and looked at the Healer with red eyes and a sniffle. Seeing the teary eyes, Don dug in his pocket and handed the boy a hanky.

"Do you feel any pain Harry?"

The boy shook his head, but the Healer knew he was lying. The Healing spell was still active and was quite uncomfortable in it's first stages of healing, in an hour or so he would be fine though.

"Please don't down play it Harry, I need to know so I can give you the right potions. Not quite the truth, but it would help if he knew the degree of pain the boy was in so he didn't knock him out with unnecessary potions or spells.

Harry nodded his head a little and wiped some of the tears from his face. "It's just really sore now...like a ton of bees have just finished stinging it."

Don smiled at the boy and gently took the arm back in hand. "Alright then, I'm going to just send a mild numbing charm into it them. Do you think you would be up for me healing your other arm?"

"Can we just get it over with?"

The Healer nodded and looked over at the other adults in the room for any concerns. He saw Arthur stroking the boy's hair and holding him close to his chest as if he just wanted to keep him safe from the world and smiled. Even if the boy didn't realize it yet, he had some very dedicated people by his side.

He then looked over at Severus and saw that the man was about to protest, but thought better of it. Likely he didn't want to see Harry in anymore pain, but the thought of prolonging this experience was even less desirable.

"We can do that Harry, but I think you should take a little break. Why don't you tell me some about school? What is your favorite class?"

Harry gave a soft nod and relaxed back into Arthur's chest as Don cast the numbing charm on his wrist. It made it feel a bit odd, but it was much better than the pain he was in before.

"I like Defense Against The Dark Arts...except this year we haven't really learned anything..."

Severus let out a small growl and everyone in the room turned to look at him. Seeing the eyes on him Severus straightened up and regained his composure. "That will change. Already, I put in place the first steps for getting rid of the toad. Don't be surprised if you read about a strange outbreak of a rare wizarding disease, but it's singled to just one Professor at Hogwarts."

A strange evil grin spread over Severus's face that made Harry shiver and glad that grin had never been directed towards him.

Don gave the man a scolding look. "Now Severus, does Albus know about this? I don't think he would approve, and I'm not sure I approve."

Severus smiled, this time gentler. "He said I could take care of her. His hands are tied because of the Ministry."

Harry looked back and forth between his Professor and Healer while Arthur watched on in amusement. Arthur was surprised at just how protective Severus was. Surely, if the wrong people found out he would be in deep trouble with the law.

Clearing his throat Arthur gained both men's attention. "Boy's maybe we should discuss this later?"

Both blushed and nodded, but their discussion was a success in distracting Harry from his wrist.

Looking back down at Harry Don smiled and patted the cast. "How is your wrist feeling now?"

Harry looked down at studied his wrist for a minute and then looked back up at Don. "It's a lot better."

"That's good Harry. Now, can I see your other arm?"

Hesitantly, Harry handed over his other arm to the Healer who began to study it carefully. Gently he prodded it too and fro and then pulled the sleeve back to examine it further.

"This should be better than your wrist. I don't sense any damage on the sides of the bone, and it seems like it was a clean break. Can I ask you Harry, how this happened?"

Harry blushed and leaned back into Arthur's arms. Looking up Don saw the boy retreat into himself and reached over to place a hand on the boy's cheek.

"You can tell us Harry; I swear on my magic that no one will hurt you."

Harry gulped and looked at the Healer with fear evident in his eyes. "I...I fell."

"Harry..." Don took a deep breath. "You don't have to be afraid. Everyone in here cares about you deeply and will make sure nothing happens to you again. If you don't want to talk about your injury; you don't have to, but please don't lie."

Harry looked down and nodded mumbling out something only Arthur could hear because the boy was in his lap. Gently Arthur wrapped his arms around the boy a little securer and whispered something to him.

A little louder this time Harry told the three what had happened. "Ripper, my Aunt Marge's dog chased me up a tree a few summers ago. I stayed there all night until she called Ripper in; in the morning. Uncle Vernon didn't like that I didn't make dinner and he punished me by throwing my down the stairs. It wasn't that bad..."

Severus shuttered at the brutality the boy had lived through, how anyone could inflict that kind of pain on someone was beyond him. Especially a child.

Don just sighed and gently forced Harry's chin up so that he could look into those emerald eyes. "You know what he did was wrong don't you Harry? Your Aunt Marge was wrong too, she should never have let her dog trap you like that."

Harry nodded a little, but lowered his head when Don let go of his chin with a sigh when he realized that Harry honestly saw no fault in what his relatives did to him. It was going to take a lot of work to heal the poor boy.

Severus came over and sat across from Arthur and Harry. "Harry, have I ever lied to you?"

The boy looked over at the man and shook his head. The man had always been cruel and snaky to him, but he had never sugar coated the truth for him or lied.

Nodding Severus looked deeply into the boy's eyes. "Don is not a lier either, and you must listen to what he is saying. You were not at fault for any of that; they are. You were and still are a child and they are the adults. "

Harry seemed to visibility relax in Arthur's arms. He didn't know why it made him feel better that his Professor stated those few words, but it did.

Severus patted the boy on the shoulder. "Now then, Don I think you should heal his arm and leave the rest of this conversation for later."

The Healer nodded and took hold of the boy's arm again and in his other hand another potion. "Alright Harry, this is another pain potion to help when I re-break your arm. I'm then going to cast the spell like before and wrap it in a cast."

Harry gave a small nod and downed the potion in one with a grimace. He would never get used to how disgusting potions tasted.

Don then gently tapped his wand on the out-stretched arm and said the spell he knew would cause the bone to break. As the crack was heard by all and tears were hidden by Harry, Don said the bone mending spell and then gently began wrapping the arm up and tapping the outside to harden it. When he was done, he placed the limb back down in the boy's lap and placed a gentle hand on the boy's cheek that wasn't hidden by Arthur's robes.

"It's all over, Harry, all over."

The boy nodded against Arthur's chest soaking up all the comfort, not only Arthur was giving, but also what the Healer was offering and surprisingly Severus.

When the bone had cracked and Severus saw the boy's back arch up he had placed a gentle hand on the boy's back and began rubbing soothing circles. He hated seeing children like this and he knew later he could pass it off to the boy that Arthur had rubbed his back not him. It didn't matter that both his hands were busy stroking back Harry's hair and the other holding him so he wouldn't fall. He had even ignored Arthur's small smile, and knowing look he had shot his way.

After Harry calmed down from having his arm broken again and set without any words, Don placed his hands on the boy's arm and sent a mild numbing charm. He didn't want to upset the boy any more than he was going to in just a few minutes by having his admit something he didn't want to.

Feeling the numbing effect Harry looked up at the Healer gratefully. "There we go Harry. Now, there is one more matter we need to discuss. I know this is hard Harry, but I have to talk with you about it to make sure you are alright. If you want, this can be a private discussion; Arthur and Severus can leave the room."

Harry hid his head knowing exactly what the Healer wanted to discuss. He had let a little information slip about what had happened with Duddley this summer, but he really didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Severus kept his hand on Harry's back and looked up at Arthur. "Arthur, why don't you and I go down for some tea and leave these two alone?"

Arthur looked down at the boy in his arms and nodded. He knew that now he was just going to hinder his son by allowing him to hide instead of face the truth so he nodded his head with a sigh. "Alright Severus I'll come with you."

The man then gently kissed his son on the head. "I'll be right downstairs Harry. You know to call if you need anything."

Harry looked up at his Father figure. "Why...why are you leaving?"

Arthur smiled and brushed the hair back from the boy's face. "Because you need to talk with Don here and I know that if I'm here you're not going to want to talk."

"Do I have to?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes Harry, he is here to help you." Arthur stroked back the boy's hair still smiling. "It's almost lunch time. We will come back up with sandwiches in a while."

Harry nodded and let Arthur set him gently down on the couch and get up, before the men left the room though Harry spoke up again. "You will come back, won't you?"

Arthur turned and smiled at his son. "Always Harry."

Harry smiled and hid his embarrassment by looking down at his lap. Arthur and Severus just shared a significant look with each other and then quietly left the room.