Chapter 17 – Nightmares

They were there. They looked just like they did in the photos, smiling and waving at him. Harry wanted to get to them, to finally get to speak to them. There was a green light in the background, racing towards the figures. Harry knew that he needed to get there first. But his little legs would only carry him so far, and the figures seemed to be moving into the background. A loud scream rent the eerily still air and Harry's head snapped up; just in time to see the flash of green light catch up with them and the two people crumple to the ground.

"No, NOOOO!"

Harry thrashed and convulsed under his bed sheets in panic. It had seemed so realistic, almost like it was a long buried memory. But that was silly. Aunt Petunia had told him that his parents died in a car crash, and there would be no reason for her to lie to him.

"HARRY! Harry!"

The door to his bedroom banged open, a worried Sirius and Remus charging in before it had hit the wall. Harry's green eyes met the worried grey ones hovering above him. Sirius sat down heavily on the bed and began to push Harry's fringe off his sticky forehead. Remus left the room, but returned moments later with a cold flannel, which he placed on Harry's forehead. Harry couldn't shake the lingering feeling of horror that the nightmare had left.

"It's OK Harry, you're safe. But…would you like to come sleep in my bed…with me?"

Harry stared at Sirius in shock. Living with these two men had just been surprise after surprise. He'd never been allowed to go into an adult's bedroom before. Harry couldn't deny that being with Sirius would be reassuring, not to mention that he felt safe with Sirius. He nodded shyly and picked up the newly named Finley. Sirius smiled slightly and picked Harry up, holding him close to his chest.

"Are you OK now Harry?" Remus asked. Harry nodded quickly and leant his head on Sirius' shoulder. It was awfully comfy, and Harry could already feel his eyelids fluttering closed. Sleep came quickly.

OoOoOo

Harry was confused when he woke up. He wasn't in his bedroom. He was in a small, white room with a large bed in the middle of the room. He had only just got used to the blue walls of his bedroom, and now he was somewhere new. Maybe Sirius and Remus had changed their minds about letting him have his own room. Harry choked back a sob, did that mean he had done something bad? He wasn't aware that he'd done anything. He rolled over sadly and gasped, memories flooding back.

Sirius Black was still asleep next to him. His hair was falling over his face, resting lightly on his high cheekbones. There were shadows under his eyes and his mouth was slightly open. Harry tried not to laugh, he was snoring slightly. He felt a lot better now that he knew that he wasn't in trouble. Harry silently slid out of the bed and padded down to his bedroom, Finley in hand.

"Harry? You're up early" Remus' voice made Harry jump guiltily. He wasn't sure that he was meant to come out of Sirius' room before he was awake.

"Sorry si – Remus"

"For what? You don't have to apologise for being up before Sirius, he sleeps like a log when he wants to. Breakfast Harry?"

Harry nodded and followed a pyjama clad Remus down to the kitchen. Harry guessed he was predictable because Remus poured him a glass of apple juice and put a slice of bread in the toaster. Harry smiled and took his seat at the table.

"Did you sleep alright Harry? No more nightmares?"

"No sir…Remus"

"Do you mind me asking what was in your nightmare?" Remus sounded worried, like he wasn't really sure of the wisdom of asking Harry about his nightmare. Harry was confused, nobody had ever asked him about his nightmares before. They normally ignored him, or shouted at him for screaming and waking them all up. He didn't really want to talk about his nightmare, but he couldn't see any harm in it.

"Screaming…and a flash of green light, that's all I can remember" Harry frowned. It didn't sound remotely scary now that he said it out loud. He couldn't explain the eerie stillness of the air or the feeling of fear that permeated everything. He glanced up at Remus. The blood had completely drained from his face and he was gripping the counter tightly.

"Is everybody O – Remus are you alright? You look like you did when Kevin asked you if you were gay" Sirius walked in, completely oblivious to what Harry had just said.

"Very funny Padfoot. I was just…Never mind, it doesn't matter"

Sirius narrowed his eyes at Remus and then turned to Harry, a smile already on his face. "You OK Harry? I was worried when I woke up and you weren't there"

Damn. Harry knew that he shouldn't have left when he woke up. He didn't want to worry or disappoint Sirius; not when he'd been so kind to Harry. He felt tears well up in his eyes and he stared at the floor.

"Hey Harry, there's no need for that. it's OK, shh. You've done nothing wrong" Sirius picked him up and held him close, apparently trying to soothe him. Harry guessed that Sirius didn't like seeing him cry, Uncle Vernon never did. He sniffed loudly, trying to make the tears stop by sheer force of will alone. He didn't want Sirius to think he was a crybaby. Harry did not want to disappoint Sirius, that was probably his biggest fear.

"Please don't send me back. I didn't mean to – "

"Send you back where? Harry I wouldn't send you back to the Dursleys even if you asked. We love you Harry, and this is where you belong"

Harry gaped at Sirius. He felt like his heart was about to explode with joy. Sirius had said that he was where he belonged. Harry's face split into a broad grin. He did feel like he belonged here, like it was some newly discovered long lost home. Sirius grinned back. He pulled Harry close, giving him a fierce hug.

OoOoOo

Harry was lay on his stomach, arranging the lions and tigers that Remus had brought him. He was quite content to just place them on the floor and watch them prowl around, roaring at each other.

"Harry, here's your drink" Sirius announced, setting a small glass of milk on the wooden floor next to Harry.

"Thank you Sirius" Harry said, barely tearing his eyes away from the animals in front of him. Sirius ruffled Harry's hair and moved away to play chess with Remus. Harry reached forward and took a drink of the milk, still watching the magical cats in front of him. As often happens when you're not paying complete attention, he didn't place the glass back completely flat and it fell to the floor, spilling the white liquid all over the floor.

Harry stared at it in horror, watching it fall in slow motion. He tried to catch the glass, desperately trying to stop the mess that would surely occur. He tensed and gasped as he heard the tinkling sound of the glass hitting the floor. The sound seemed to be mocking him; it dragged on for an eternity and yet it was over in a heartbeat. It seemed to almost be signalling the end of the dream, the beautiful dream that he'd been living for the last week. Sirius' earlier words were forgotten as panic set in. He'd done something wrong, and they wouldn't want him anymore. They'd send him back to the Dursleys. They wouldn't an ungrateful freak. Uncle Vernon had been right, Sirius and Remus had given him everything he could have hoped for and now he'd thrown it back in their faces. Today had just been one nightmare after the other.

AN: Right, I feel I should apologise for what I said in the last chapter, I'm just feeling a bit insecure at the moment :S But, thank you so much to the people that reviewed, they actually made me feel heaps better :D

Anyway, I have a question to ask. I want to introduce some romance, but I'm not sure if it should be slash or not. I have an idea where either could go, so I want to ask you guys what you think would be best? I'd love to hear from all of you x