disclaimer: mmm tea... I mean no I don't own harry potter.

~o~

Eyes Closed Tightly

Chapter 5

This was it, he could feel it. This was the place Neville the scared, shy boy had told them he had met Harry. Grey eyes scanned the playground watching as kids of all ages ran around, playing games and having fun. He had stopped some and asked if that had seen Harry showing them a photo of the child. All had shook their head in a negative.

Remus was off to the side talking to parents that may have seen the ten year old. Sirius frowned and went up to his colleague tapping him on the shoulder golden brown eyes looked to him in hope then frowning as he shook his head.

"He's not here it's been 4 hours I think we should look around the streets."

"Yeah we're not making much leeway here." Sirius turned and walked away, Remus following and passing out flyers just in case some one knew something.

~O~

Harry sleepily walked beside Tom on the busy sidewalk his hand holding the edge of the older ones coat so he wouldn't lose him. He had been up late last night tossing and turning often waking Tom who would pull the covers up and trying to settle his restlessness. It worked for an hour or two but eventually he would wake and he'd begin the process all over again not knowing why he couldn't stay asleep.

Letting out a sigh as he felt another tug on his coat Tom spun around catching Harry before he fell, he then gripped Harry's hand and began walking again. He felt more comfortable now that he had Harry in his grasp, knowing he wouldn't fall.

"You didn't sleep enough." Harry nodded looking up at Tom. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No, I just feel…" he paused trying to think what he was feeling his green eyes looking down then snapping up to look into Tom's red ones. "I feel like something's going to happen soon, but I don't know what." He could feel Tom's thumb smoothing over the skin of his hand as the older boy digested what Harry had just confessed.

"Is it a good or bad feeling?" Harry frowned looking down again.

"I don't know, both I think." He heard Tom hum and the hand tightened before loosening again.

"Tom?" Harry gazed up his eyes wide. "I can stay with you right?" The ten year old ran into Tom as he stopped dead then he looked down at Harry.

"Do you want to stay with me Harry?" the head nodded vigorously. There was no doubting about wanting to stay. "Why?" another pause their hands swinging back and forth waiting for an answer.

"Ah, because, I think you make me feel safe." Tom stared his eyes wide in surprise. Harry looked up catching the look, his small hand tightened in Tom's like he would disappear if he let go. "Why did you take me Tom?" he needed to know he felt Tom's thumb sooth over his skin again.

"Because." Frowning Tom looked to Harry seeing everything the pain, the hope, the trust. Harry trusted him, it made him feel safe. "You and I are very much alike." Tom bent down making sure to look into wide green eyes. The hand not holding Harry's reached out to caress his cheek. In a second Tom drew back standing tall, still looking at Harry. "Come, we have to be going." He turned swiftly pulling Harry with him.

They walked down the sidewalk never once noticing the twinkling blue eyes watching them.

~o~

Albus Dumbledore was a very old man he enjoyed his lemon drops, tea, weird choices in attire, and his love to tinker with his trinkets that filled his old antique store. He took pride in himself when people came to him asking for things or to ask for his advice. He was wise and cunning; to those that knew him he was like a grandfather they didn't know they had. He had his quirks but then again who doesn't? All in all Albus had a content life filled with memories that he kept close.

So just like any other day Albus woke, ate breakfast, and set about his day, dressing in odd clothes that strangely resembled brightly colored robes. He would then leave his little quaint home and walk the short walk to where his shop was located. Only stopping briefly in a coffee shop to get him self a lemon flavored tea and some biscuits.

And it was during this ritual that he saw something that made him stop in the doorway of the coffee shop. A man and a child stopped walking to talk to one another like there was no one else around. He saw the caring touch the small smile and the trusting look. His mind screaming at him that something didn't look right, and just as the dark haired man stood and began to walk he glanced at the child again his breath caught and his blue eyes went wide.

His body moved on it's own and he followed the pair. Eyes never once wavered. Albus' mind worked out scenarios, and possible ways to get the child away from the older man.

Because it was this day that Albus Dumbledore found one Harry Potter being lead away by the hand of his kidnapper.

~O~

They stopped at the stairs to a small apartment, Tom looking at him before bending down and letting out a sigh. The older raven looked at Harry taking in everything about the small boy. From the slowly healing bruises to the shaggy raven-black hair.

"I have to go in that house Harry. I want you to wait out here. Are you ok with that?" Harry blinked and tilted his head. It wasn't like Tom to leave him on the street. The usual was a park or some place with plenty of places to hide, never an empty street. Reluctantly he nodded his head receiving a rare smile from Tom. "Good. If anything goes wrong do not go to the house. Do you remember where to meet me?"

"Yes" Tom stood casting off another smile and ruffling Harry's hair.

"Good, keep out of trouble. I'll be back as soon as I can." He then pulled up Harry's hood, unaware that it was already too late. Someone had recognized the small boy. He turned on his heels and walked up the few steps of apartment stairs. Buzzing Harry watched as a woman with curls of pitch black opened the door. Her eyes widening and a self satisfied smirk smeared itself onto her face.

"Vol-"

"Not here Bellatrix." She bowed her head her eyes flicking to Harry who was gazing at her with wide-eyed curiosity. She grinned her eyes carrying a crazy glint making Harry swallow and his hands to fidget with the long sleeves to his hoodie. Pleased with un-nerving him she returned her attention to Tom.

"Of course, do come in." she moved out of the way and gestured for Tom to enter. Red eyes glanced back at Harry, calming the boy when they met. Their eyes telling the other pair to be careful. The door shut and Harry could hear the woman cackling on the other side.

He looked at the ground. Frowning he kicked at a pebble and turned making his way to the curb he sat down heavily wrapping his cold hands inside his sleeves. A shadow fell over him making him look up into friendly blue eyes.

"Hello there I'm Albus. What are you doing sitting on the curb all alone?" Harry smiled shyly and fidgeted. His hands then rose and pulled his hood down further, covering more of his face.

"I'm just waiting for someone." A grandfatherly smile lifted at the corners of old man lips, crinkling his eyes making him seemed harmless. Harry looked towards his feet watching as they shifted and moved, showing he was uncomfortable.

"Ah, would that be a close friend?" green eyes snapped up and he nodded his head as he bit his lip. "Oh wonderful it's very nice to have friends." His voice was sweet and relaxing. Making Harry sit up straighter, remembering the time his aunt was nice to him only for her to turn around and slap him for something he hadn't done. "I have an idea how about you wait for your friend in my shop. It's just a few steps over there." Albus pointed out to his antiques shop across the street. "You'll at least be warm."

"I don't know, I think I should wait here." He didn't think that the man would harm him. He still wanted to wait for Tom right here.

"Oh come now, you'll just be over there. You can see your friend from the window, plus it will give you something to do." He bit his lip as the man held out a hand. Shakily Harry reached out and took hold, Albus pulled him up smiling kindly. He then let go of Harry and gently pushed Harry's back ushering him forward, he was almost finished leading Harry to safety. "There we are, Harry we'll have some tea when-" Harry stopped dead. Green eyes wide he looked up at the gentle old man with the twinkling eyes. "What's wrong Harry?" a frown marred the young boys face and he took a step away from Albus.

"My name?" his face drained of color as he looked at the small boy. His green eyes had narrowed. "I never told you my name." Harry backed up further eyes searching for escape routes.

"Now, now my boy. I wont hurt you." He raised his hand trying to soothe Harry. It wasn't working.

"I have to go." Harry spun around, his eyes wild his hood fell down as he ran.

"Harry Potter!" Albus yelled his blue eyes wide at the boy's abrupt exit. He couldn't keep up with Harry and kept yelling out for him. Which startled two nearby officers.

~o~

"Harry Potter!" the name rang loud and clear, just as Sirius and Remus had turned a corner and saw a boy with messy black hair running from a frantic older man. The boy dashed down an alleyway green eyes wide making Remus blood run cold he vaguely heard Sirius gasp.

"Shit Remus! Go after him I'll try and head him off!" The darker haired man ran down the street leaving Remus to run after Harry.

"Stop! We won't hurt you!" the boy was looking back and had stumbled over some garbage but he still continued running. "Please! I'm the police." He watched as Harry's hands braced himself against the wall he had almost crashed into. He could tell Harry was frantic. Running, desperate to get away, like a killer was after him. Golden eyes widened as the boy was getting closer and closer to the street that was connected to the park if he managed to make it he may lose sight of him.

Harry shot down the street his breathing ragged and his heart racing. He was so close to the park where he could hide and wait out. Then Tom would come get him and everything would good again. He looked back seeing the sandy haired man still on his tail making him nervous. His head snapped forwards seeing the park gates and he sped up a little more.

"Gotcha!" Harry jolted forward, his feet lifted off the ground as he was grabbed by the waist. Strong arms held him so he couldn't squirm or kick free. His world was spinning and he was caught, tears filled his eyes and he screamed the only name he trusted.

"Tom!"

~o~

another chapter done and good news this chapter a betad by my lovley friend AtticusBlackwolf. she's mine no one may have her *grabs and grows*

stay sane

sheetamoon