Chapter 22

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Narcissa hurried down the hall, turning the corner, and stopped. The library doors were standing open, Harry standing still, just inside, his back to her. She watched him for a few moments, curious. When he didn't move, she approached him, speaking so he would know she was there.

"Harry?" Circling him, she stopped facing him, looking down into his face, as she placed a gentle hand against his cheek.

He blinked, returning focus to his eyes and he looked up at her, sheepishly. "Sorry, Cissa."

"It's alright, Dear. What book were you looking for?"

She waited patiently, while he seemed to be contemplating.

His shoulders slumped and she heard a deep sigh. "I actually couldn't decide what I wanted to read. Nothing seems to catch my interest anymore."

She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and guided him out into the hall, the library doors closing behind them. "I've been there myself a time or two. But, your assistance would be much appreciated, as I am on my way to the kitchens to give the menus for dinner for the next week. I've been having a difficult time deciding on several of the dishes, and thought you might like to help me."

That produced a small smile. "I'd like that."

"Splendid! Why don't you run on ahead, then. I will meet you, after I've checked to see if the Owlpost has arrived yet."

He nodded then hurried on down the hall. She watched him until he entered the stairs to the kitchens, before hurrying to Lucius' office. This was the fourth time today she had found him like that, and it had been the same for the past fortnight. He still wouldn't go outside, startled at every unexpected noise, and had been becoming more and more depressed over the last few months, since that awful day. He spent almost all of his time between the Observatory and his rooms. His Mind Healer has said this could happen, but it should abate with the potion; only, it hadn't.

She was very concerned. She hoped Lucius hadn't left for the Ministry yet, as she turned and Apparated.

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Severus stood from where he'd been kneeling at the hearth. Lucius and Cissa were very concerned about Harry. It seemed his potion was not working sufficiently, and his emotional well-being had declined. He was not pleased that he hadn't been told sooner and he made Lucius aware of such. There was no reason that Harry should suffer when Severus could easily adjust his potion for better results.

"Wha's wrong, Papa?" Sebastian asked as he entered the room.

"Harry's potion isn't working as it should, so I need to go see him, after I brew a new potion according to these adjustments his healer recommended."

"So, we're goin' to the Manor?" Sebastian's voice was hopeful as his eyes lit up.

Severus smiled at his son. "Yes, my Son, but not until after dinner."

Sebastian followed Severus as he headed for his lab, trotting to keep up with his Papa's long stride.

"Papa, why does Hawwry need the potion?"

"Your Harry is not feeling happy."

"Why, Papa?" Sebastian entered the lab, as his Papa held the door open.

"Remember when I told you someone hurt him again?" Severus began setting out potion ingredients and the cauldron and other tools he would need, as his son took his usual place in the corner on his stool.

Sebastian nodded. "The bad man who took my Hawwry."

"He needs help to feel better, to help him feel safe, so he can enjoy his new life."

"I can do that better than a potion, Papa!"

"And how would you do that, my Son?" Severus stifled a smirk, though he currently had his back to his son.

"He can play with me. He can read books to me an' the babies. He can walk the doggies with me too."

"That sounds like a good plan, but how are you going to convince him to go outside. Even Lucius and Cissa can't convince him to leave the manor." He was very curious about how his son would answer.

The little boy put his little finger to his lips, pondering like he saw his Papa do so often. "We could pick flowers for Auntie Cissa an' Miss Mione. Or find potion 'gredients!"

"Hmmm..." Severus raised an eyebrow as he looked at his son. "That just may work, but, you will have to be very persuasive, my little potions apprentice."

Standing tall and smiling, "I can 'cause Hawwry wubs me!"

"Very well, then. But we will speak with Lucius and Cissa first. We must be very Slytherin about this."

"Oh Papa. I can be vewry Sliverin!"

"That means I have taught you well, then."

"'Course you have, Papa!" Sebastian beamed at him, causing him to chuckle. Wiggling on his seat, he leans to try and see around his Papa to the cauldron. "How long u'til the potion is done?"

Severus gave the cauldron one last counterclockwise stir and set the rod aside, casting Safety and Monitoring Charms over the simmering potion. "It needs to simmer while we eat, then I will bottle it so we can take it to Harry."

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Narcissa had eagerly accepted the new potion for Harry and had gone to store it, while Severus, retaining one bottle, followed his son up the stairs. He'd had an interesting discussion with her and Lucius. He shook his head as he watched Sebastian try to hurry up the stairs without running. He so loved to come and see Harry, and spend time with him, and the twins. The child really needed siblings... Severus' eyes widened. Merlin! Where had that thought come from?

Barking and yipping drew his attention to the landing above, where Sebastian knelt to great the pups. The dogs had grown considerably since they'd last visited, and Sebastian was having difficulty not being knocked down for a thorough impromptu tongue-bath. The excited laughter indicated he didn't seem concerned at the prospect.

Severus reached the landing and stopped next to boy and dogs, looking down in amusement. "Come along, Sebastian, before you're unable to get up."

"'Kay Papa." Sebastian got back to his feet, brushing off and straightening his clothes, as Severus cast a Cleansing Spell. Sebastian then patted his leg and called the dogs to follow him and his Papa down the corridor to Harry's rooms.

Severus knocked lightly on the door before opening it. His hand on Sebastian's shoulder kept the boy from bolting into the room. He shushed the dogs, motioning them to sit and be silent. As the room was revealed, they looked toward the bed first. Seeing it empty and unmussed, their gaze traveled the room to find it's occupant in one of the largewindowseats, gazing out the window. Since their presence hadn't been acknowledged, it gave Severus a moment to study Harry.

He reclined in the recess of the window, legs bent as he leaned back against a couple of large throw pillows, his arms wrapped around another against his chest. His head was tipped back limply against the pillows as his gaze was fixed absently on something outside.

Several books and magazines lay forgotten on the floor, as well as a lunch and tea tray, that appeared untouched.

The expression on his face was forlorn and pained, which was only emphasized by the red puffiness around his eyes and his nose, and the tear tracks drying on his cheeks. His bottom lip was quite red and swollen, since he'd been worrying it with his teeth within an inch of it's life. As they watched, fresh tears appears, and Harry released a stuttering sigh. That sound alone spoke volumes, and Severus felt his heart break.

Sebastian looked up at his father, his eyes filling with tears, and asked quietly. "Papa, why is Hawwry so sad?"

Severus pulled a crisply pressed and folded white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to his son. "Go give him some of your special love, My Son. I will call for fresh tea, and sandwiches." He sent the dogs to their pillow by the bed, then left to summon a house elf.

Walking quietly up to the windowseat, Sebastian laid a hand on Harry's leg so he wouldn't be startled as he joined Harry on the window seat. Harry's head turned swiftly toward his visitor, a startled look on his face. Quickly swiping at his face, he sat up and tried to smile.

"Sebastian! Noone told me you were visiting today!"

The boy looked at him sadly, as he crawled into Harry's lap and began to wipe at his face with the handkerchief. When he was done, he wrapped his arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tightly.

"Don't be sad, Hawwry. Don't cry. Papa an' me--we'll make it bett'r. Papa made you a new potion to make the sad go 'way."

Harry blinked as new tears prickled his eyes, and he buried his face in Sebastian's hair as he wrapped his arms around the precious little boy and hugged him back. This was the scene Severus returned to after having one of the house elves bring a fresh tray. He stood in the doorway and watched his son comfort the tormented young man, in the way he knew best--with love and affection. Sebastian pulled back a bit and peppered Harry's face with kisses. Yes, his son definitely had a heart like his Da's.

Sebastian continued kissing Harry until a genuine smile began to form on the young man's face, then he sat back and looked at him, a huge smile on his own face. "Hawwry feewlbett'r now?"

"Yes, Sebastian. Much better, thank you. I always feel better when you come visit me."

"Good!" He bounced excitedly, as he looked at his Papa. "Look Papa! Hawwry is bett'r!"

Severus approached them and stopped, his hands folded behind his back, and a small smile on his face. "Yes, I see, Sebastian. You have again worked your magic. Well done."

"Hello, Severus." Harry's cheeks were a bit pink at he looked up at his former professor, and now, friend. "What brings the two of you to see me today?"

Severus reached into his pocket and held out a small bottle. "Narcissa tells me that your potion was not effective. I have consulted with your Healers and formulated an improved one. This should have a significant effect in relieving your symptoms. Please contact me if you have any adverse reactions or continue to suffer even the smallest residual of your symptoms."

Harry accepted the bottle, as one of the house elves appeared with a spoon and a glass of water.

"You may take a half-dose right now, then continue tomorrow morning with the regular dose, twice daily, as previously prescribed." Severus instructed, as he handed Harry the spoon. " You should start feeling it's effects within approximately thirty minutes."

Accustomed to taking Severus' potions, already trusting in their safety and high quality, he just nodded and poured the corrected amount. Swallowing it, with a minimum of reaction, he reached for the glass of water and held out the spoon and bottle to the house elf.

"Thank you, Severus. I know it will work. Your potions always do."

"I appreciate your praise, Harry. But, I must correct you, in that, I have had potions that did not perform as expected. But that has only served to make me work harder to improve them. And you do not need to thank me, as it is my job, and my desire, to provide your potions."

Just then, a large tray bearing tea and plates of sandwiches and biscuits appeared on the nearby table.

"Well, Sebastian has showered you with affection. I have provided you with an improved potion. Now I believe, a healthy meal is called for." Severus looked pointedly at the abandoned tray on the floor, just as it disappeared to the kitchens.

Harry looked a bit sheepish, but followed Severus and Sebastian to the table.

Tbc...