Author's Note: Just a note for those of you who do not follow my tumblr and may not know...I have enrolled in college to get my BA in English and am really enjoying it! I am taking all my classes online and while that works wonderfully for my busy life, it does put my writing on the back burner. That being said, I may go 2-3 months between updates right now but I'm not abandoning my stories at all. I just wanted to let you all know so you weren't wondering where the updates went.
Enjoy!
Harry jolted awake, the sweat rolling down his temple. "Snaaape!" He called for the man before he could stop himself. He instantly cringed at his own childlike behavior. A small part of him hoped that his guardian hadn't heard him. He swore to himself that he wasn't going to call for him again regardless. He was far too old to behaving in such a way. He squinted slightly as his bedroom door swung open causing the light from the hall to hit his face.
"Another nightmare?" Snape questioned in a gentle tone as he moved over to sit on the edge of the boy's bed.
"I'm sorry." Harry could feel the heat spreading across his cheeks. Imagine calling out for the man over a stupid bad dream. He felt like a sodding baby.
"You know better than to apologize for such a thing." Snape placed a gentle hand on the teenager's knee. His thumb tapped gently. "Was this nightmare about Justin or something else this time?" The man wouldn't have been surprised if it was worries about the trial in the morning that had woken the child but he was hardly going to put such thoughts into his head by mentioning it.
"No." Harry shook his head as he kept his gaze down. "It was the same one it has been."
Snape hummed softly at the words. The teenager had yet to elaborate on what exactly the nightmare entailed though the man imagined that it consisted of reliving the events of that day. "Would you like to discuss the dream?" He asked the same question every time despite knowing the answer. The man refused to force the boy to talk.
Harry shook his head as he laid back down, rolling onto his stomach. "Can you just stay until I fall back asleep?" He was sure he could feel the skin literally burning off of his face at such an immature question.
"It is just you and I here, Harry," Snape mused softly. "There is no need for such embarrassment." The man pulled the blankets up over the teenager's shoulders before his hand moved to gently rub the boy's back. "Just relax now."
Harry shrugged a shoulder at the man's words. He knew Snape hated when he did that but he didn't have anything to say. He appreciated the man being so nice but he couldn't help his embarrassment either.
Snape's hand moved to rub between the boy's shoulder blades. There was plenty he wanted to say to his child but he was sure that if he just remained silent Harry would fall asleep much sooner.
The teenager took in a shaky breath as he closed his eyes. He focused on the soft touch on his back, his breathing evening one a moment later as he drifted off to sleep.
Harry leaned against the back of the couch, releasing a sigh as he closed his eyes. It was only midday and yet it felt like the whole day had gone by. He hadn't expected the Ministry to be that draining over... over something that should have been so simply to understand! "I don't want to go to the Ministry again," he uttered softly, blinking as he felt the couch dip next to him as Remus sat down.
"I don't expect you'll find yourself on trial again." Remus rested an arm across the back of the couch as he smiled gently towards the teenager.
"They're terrible," Harry muttered, blinking once more and sitting up properly.
Snape frowned as he sat down on the edge of the coffee table, his knees touching his child's. "What exactly happened during your trial?"
The man felt like he had waited hours for Harry to exit the trial when in reality it had been closer to a quarter of an hour. When Albus had walked out of the room first the man had only informed them that Harry had won the trial and was not expelled before he quickly excused himself and left.
"He didn't believe it." The teenager folded his arms around his middle as he glared down towards Snape's knees. "The memory," he clarified, shaking his head with a huff of a breath.
"What?" Remus' smile instantly faded as Harry spared a glance over to the man before back towards Snape.
"Fudge thought I faked it all."
"He did not believe it?" Snape let out an annoyed breath. "How on earth does he expect that a fifteen year old would alter a memory? Did he clarify that?" The man could hardly help the annoyance in his tone. The utter gall of the man was infuriating.
Harry shook his head, eyes closing briefly as he did so. "No. Professor Dumbledore went straight into that but Fudge just returned that it implies that the Ministry sent them."
"The pompous arse," Snape hissed, unable to control his own words. "How dare he imply such a thing." The man let out an annoyed huff as his eyes remained on his child. "I have half a mind to go right back to the Ministry and give him a piece of my mind."
"As welcoming as that would be..." Remus took in a breath before releasing it slowly, watching as Harry grinned at Snape's words. "They still dropped the charge?"
Harry looked back to Remus as he leaned back, nodding as his grin still remained. "Yeah...Professor Dumbledore pointed out how stupid it was to have a full trial over underage magic to begin with and the majority agreed. Thankfully."
Snape let out a sigh at the words. Despite being thrilled with the fact that the case had been dropped the man could hardly help his frustration with Fudge. "And you were polite during the trial as well?" The man couldn't help but question. If his child hadn't been he would rather know now than find out later.
"Professor Dumbledore was pretty good at speaking before I said anything," Harry muttered, looking down to his knees as he shrugged a shoulder. There had been several moments he wanted to yell the unfairness of it all, but somehow, and thankfully, Dumbledore knew exactly when to speak up before he did. "I didn't have to say too much. I had the memory. He was just being an arse about it."
Snape gave a small nod of approval. He was thankful that at least Albus had been able to accompany the boy. "I am relieved that at least this whole mess is behind us now and that it was all dropped." He reached a hand out resting it gently on his child's knee. "As I am sure that you are as well."
"I'm tired." Harry replied honestly. The last few days, he had been nothing but nervous and stressed over the whole thing and it had hardly lasted an hour! The stress had melted away the moment Fudge had said he was cleared.
"A nap could certainly be in order." Remus moved his hand down to rub across the teenager's back as Harry shook his head.
"No. I'm fine. Just... everyone was so stressed and now it's over."
The hand that was resting on the teenager's knee gave a gentle squeeze. "You should eat something and then I believe Remus is right, a nap could do you a world of good." He gave his child an encouraging look. "We have a meeting this evening and then you are going to the Weasleys and you look utterly exhausted."
Harry bit the inside of his cheek, nearly pointing out he was just too old to take a nap. It wasn't worth the argument though and a nap really didn't sound that bad. "Fine," he sighed, shoulders relaxing as he gave a small grin to his guardian. "Oatmeal and bacon?"
"That would be fine." Snape gently squeezed the boy's knee once more. "Is there anything else about this trial that you wish to discuss? Anything else that we should know?"
"He tried to blame house elf magic on me that happened a few years ago."
"What do you mean blame you for house elf magic?" Remus cleared his throat as he gently tapped his thumb against Harry's back.
"When I still lived at the Dursleys, Dobby was trying to stop me from going to Hogwarts." He paused, glancing towards both adults. It wasn't a story he had even told Snape, still, he continued. "And he casted some type of hover charm. Fudge tried to say that I casted it and tried to blame me about the whole blowing up my aunt thing again." Harry rolled his eyes as he rested back, closing his eyes with a sigh.
Snape let out a huff of frustration at the words. He would have liked to go back to the Ministry and curse the man. "I am going to speak with Albus about him. I will not allow this man to behave in such a way towards my child." The man's eyes rested on Remus.
Remus shook his head as he rested his arm back on the top of the couch as Harry leaned back. "While I agree, it may be best to let the matter go as well. The less interaction the man has with Harry, the better. Or rather reason for interaction."
Harry made a face at the words as he rested his head against the back of the couch. The first year he had stayed with Snape had been the toughest one although last year had several moments. "I'm tired of the Ministry."
A second huff of frustration passed Snape's lips. While he did not disagree with Remus' reasoning he also hardly wanted to let the man get away with such behavior. He gave Harry's knee another light squeeze before releasing it. "I'm sure Minka has your meal on the table. Your pet needs to be fed and let out as well."
Harry spared a glance towards Remus before he slowly stood with a nod, looking over towards the kitchen entryway where Bane stood. His tail wagged steadily before Harry grinned and finally moved towards the kitchen. "Alright, alright."
The old dog gave a low bark before disappearing out of view and Harry following after the canine to feed him.
Remus sighed once the teenager was out of view, rubbing his forehead briefly. "I cannot be more thankful for that being over."
"You have no idea." Snape hummed softly in agreement before standing and moving to his armchair. "I want nothing more than for my child to have a normal, fair year at Hogwarts this year. Yet somehow, I fear that is too much to ask." The man waved a hand setting a silencing charm on the parlor. He trusted that Harry would not attempt to eavesdrop, however, he did not want his son to overhear anything that they may discuss.
"I wish for the same, and certainly hope that this whole ordeal is the only thing that will bother him this year. No sort of competition is planned this year that could possibly cause issues. The only possibility of a danger could be something with the Death Eaters. But, you have that taken care of. And he'll be at Hogwarts this year." A smile crossed the man's face as he lowered his arm to his side. "So hopefully this will be a calmer year for him."
"Trouble seems to follow the boy around." Snape sighed softly as he gave Remus a knowing look. "Despite measures that are taken and with His return..." the man trailed off as he shook his head.
"I don't believe it will get worse, at the very least. I'm sure he'll be far more understanding this year of the importance of listening with His return." Remus knew that Harry was far too much like his father at times; the moment something interesting happened, the child would surely latch onto it. Still, he could certainly hope that after the end of last year, the boy would learn some sort of lesson.
"One can only hope." Snape gave a small nod at the words. "I am not sure what else I can say or do to express the importance of keeping himself out of trouble. He is far too curious for his own good at times."
"He is at that." Remus hummed as he spared a look towards the kitchen. "I'm surprised there hasn't been an issue with him and you going to your Death Eater meetings. You know that if needed, I am more than able to stay with him."
Snape hummed softly at the words, nevermind the fact that he hadn't been attending Death Eater meetings at all. "Thank you Remus. I hope you know how much that is appreciated."
"You are quite welcome." The man looked down as Bane stepped into the parlor, moving straight over to Snape and slowly laying down.
"Tonight I'm sure no one will be surprised by the fact that the charges have been dropped, if Albus hasn't informed everyone first by then."
"I am sure that they won't. I am also sure that Black will have plenty to say about it." The man refrained from rolling his eyes as he glanced down at the canine.
"I'm sure Sirius will have a bit of ranting, but he has his own dislike for the Ministry as well. Would you expect him, or anyone, to be passive about it all?" Remus tilted his head slightly, raising a brow curiously.
"It is not about anyone being passive." Snape looked over at the man. "I just do not want to hear his opinion. It is constant judgement on me and how he would have handled things better."
Remus hummed at the words, crossing his left leg over his right. While he had been able to speak to his long time friend about the previous meeting, he certainly couldn't predict how Sirius would react at the end.
"Don't pay it much mind if he does choose to say anything on the matter like that. It will eventually settle in that he is not the parent."
Snape hummed softly at the words yet otherwise chose to ignore them. "I cannot tell you the relief I feel at the trial finally being over. I cannot thank you enough for being there today."
"No reason to thank me for such a thing. Really Severus, thank you for allowing me to join." Remus looked to the entryway of the kitchen as Harry stepped in. The man frowned at the state the teenager just now seemed to be in. It was now clear that the child was well past exhausted, despite the grin he gave. "Is it time for a nap?"
"Might go take a bath, actually," Harry muttered as he raised a hand to rub across his face.
Snape glanced over at the teenager giving a small nod. "And then a nap. You will be exhausted tonight otherwise." The man gave his child a pointed look. "I will bring your pet up when I hear you are done in the lavatory."
Harry gave a nod, the argument of wanting to stay up dying before he could even think to say a word of it. "Okay," he breathed, moving towards the staircase.
"Rest well Harry, I'll see this evening." Remus smiled to the teenager as Harry paused and glanced over, giving his own grin back to the man.
"Thanks Remus." Harry turned back to the stairs, moving up them a moment later and stepping into the bathroom.
"I am sure he hardly slept at all last night." Snape heard the bathroom door shut above them. "I heard him tossing and turning several times. A nap will do him a world of good."
"I'm sure." Remus turned back to face Snape as the water turned on above. "Tonight will be an easy rest for the both of you."
"He will be at the Burrow this evening. He is going home with the Weasleys after the meeting and staying for the last few days of the summer holiday." Snape leaned forward and tapped the table causing two cups of tea to appear. "He is looking forward to it." The man sat back in his chair once more.
Leaning forward, Remus picked up the cup closest to him and leaned back once more. "Some normalcy after all this. Has he spoken much more about that boy since the attack? I don't want him to dwell on it as if it was his fault... but I also worry that he will silently."
"You know him too well, Remus." The man hummed softly. "He has not mentioned it much and all but refuses to discuss it." Snape let a small sigh escape him. "Despite attempts that I have made to do so. He has been having some nightmares regarding it but even then he does not say much about how he is feeling."
"Hopefully with a bit more time..." Shaking his head, Remus took a swallow of the tea before resting the cup against his knee.
"One can only hope." Snape leaned forward picking up his own teacup before he sat back in his chair once more. "I just want him to have an enjoyable school year, free from adult worries."
"This seems to be the year for it from here on out. With any luck the trouble that may follow him this year will simply be normal teenage trouble." Remus chuckled softly, taking another sip before sighing.
"I would welcome normal teenage trouble. I would much rather deal with some cheek or his being out after curfew as opposed to a trial with the Ministry." The man took a long swallow of his tea before setting the teacup down on the table beside him.
"I am sure there will not be another trip to the Ministry in his future after all this." Remus hummed as he took a swallow of the tea once more standing, placing the cup down carefully upon the table. "But I apologize. I have a bit of a lunch date to prepare for, but of course I will see you both this evening."
"That is fine. I should go check on Harry." The man stood up slowly. "Take his pet up to him and make sure he is actually making an effort to rest."
Bane stood as Snape did, pacing between the two before moving over to Remus as the man moved towards the fireplace. Remus smiled down to the canine, reaching and rubbing an ear before nodding.
With final bid goodbye, the man disappeared into the green flames and the pet moved back over to Snape.
The man patted his side as he walked towards the staircase, silently calling the canine to follow him. As he started up the stairs he heard the door to the lavatory close followed by Harry's footsteps going into his room.
The man nearly stopped at his supply closet to retrieve a small dose of Dreamless Sleep but quickly thought better of it. He was sure that Harry would have no problem drifting off.
As he stepped onto the second floor, Bane ran ahead of him and into the teenager's bedroom.
Harry had just pulled back the covers, placing his glasses down on the side table before the door was nudged open by the canine. He smiled tiredly as he patted the bed, encouraging Bane up onto the bed before he slipped under the covers as well.
Of course he could hear Snape approaching but the teenager rested his head down with a sigh. He was sure he could have fallen asleep in the bath, but the water had already been turning cold.
"C'mere." Harry patted his hip slightly, Bane moving to lay behind him and resting his head over the teenager's leg.
"Already in bed I see," Snape said in an approving tone as he stepped into the bedroom. Waving a hand he caused the room to darken a considerable amount before moving over to the teenager's bed and carefully sitting down on the edge of it.
Harry looked over to the man before slowly nodding, eyes closing as the lights dimmed and releasing a sigh as Snape sat down. "I'm so glad that hell is over."
Snape hummed softly at the words. He certainly could not disagree with them. "Is there anything else about the trial that you wish to discuss?"
"Not really... just hate how they didn't believe me. Even with a memory, clear as day." His tone softened, blinking a few times before closing his eyes once more. "So stupid."
"I hope you know that throughout this entire ordeal you have done nothing wrong." Snape's hand moved to gently pat the boy's leg. "I am quite proud of you."
"Thanks Snape." The teenager tucked an arm under his pillow, sighing heavily as he rolled slightly onto his stomach.
"We will talk more when you wake up." The man leaned forward placing a kiss on the side of the child's head. "Sleep well."
"Love you," Harry muttered, curling up slightly while pulling his covers up and under his chin with his free hand.
"I love you very much." The man reached out tucking the covers around the teenager. "Come find me when you wake up and we'll have a bit of a talk. Hm?"
A hum was Harry's only response as he soon tucked both arms under the pillow with a small nod. All too quickly, his body relaxed fully into his bed as his exhaustion finally won out after so long.
Hours had passed since Harry had fallen asleep. Snape had nodded off in his armchair, his half empty cup of tea still sat on the table beside him.
Like his child, the man felt as though he had barely slept in days.
Harry stretched out as he groaned softly, rolling onto his back and lowering his hand down to rest on Bane's side. It nearly felt that the whole morning had been a dream, yet a grin broke across his face as he blinked and stared up to the ceiling. Fudge had been so upset and looked so disappointed when Dumbledore stepped through the doors.
His smile faded slightly as he sat up, picking up his glasses and placing them on with a sigh. The fact that the man thought he would fake a death.
Patting Banes' side softly, Harry stepped out of bed and stretched out his arms above his head. At the very least he could look forward to his time at the Weasley's.
Stepping out into the hall, Harry spared a glance towards Snape's door before shaking his head and moving down the stairs.
The man stirred slightly as he heard the footsteps on the stairs, yawning once before waking fully at the sound of the canine's nails scratching against the hardwood floor. He blinked several times, his eyes adjusting to the light before he turned his head to see his child stepping into the parlor. "Feeling better I hope?" The man sat up a bit straighter before reaching over and tapping his teacup to reheat what was left of his tea.
"Loads." Harry nodded as he moved over to the couch, sitting and leaning forward as Bane came straight to him. "Hey boy," he uttered softly, scratching the canine's shoulder as he looked down to him.
"I am pleased to hear that." The man leaned forward tapping the coffee table and causing a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits to appear. "Go on, you did not even eat lunch you may as well spoil your dinner a bit."
"Are we eating before the meeting or after?" Harry reached, picking up a biscuit and the cup before leaning back.
"I believe that you will be eating with the Weasleys after the meeting." Snape picked up his teacup taking a small sip before lowering it to his lap. "The meeting is at four and you will be going home with them after, unless of course you have changed your mind."
"Course I haven't." The teenager frowned as he took a bite of the biscuit, looking down to the canine who simply stared at the hand holding the sweet. "Can't wait to go back to Hogwarts," he muttered, taking another bite of the biscuit. "It's been too long."
"It has at that." Snape gave a small nod. "I miss it as well though I have enjoyed our summer together."
"I mean, yeah. But I missed so much of last year." Harry reached, picking up another biscuit. "I've missed it is all."
"I know. It was a hard year for you." Snape took another sip of his tea before placing it on the table beside him. "However, Hogwarts was not the right place for you last year."
Harry took a swallow of the tea, placing it down on the table. Shifting, he pulled his legs up on the couch with a soft sigh, staring at the biscuit for a quiet moment before taking a bite. "Just a few more years of it."
Snape hummed softly at the words. "You are growing up far too quickly." The man looked over at his child. "See to it that you slow down just slightly."
The teenager gave a small grin over to his guardian. "I'll try." He took another bite of the biscuit, dropping his other hand down to rub along Bane's side. "You still haven't turned grey either, so I must be doing something right."
Snape chuckled softly at the words as he sat up a bit straighter. "On a more serious note, are you sure that there is nothing you want to discuss about earlier today?"
"Not really. It was just annoying. I hate him. Trying to blame everything on me- he even tried to pull about me not being at school last year. But Professor Dumbledore stopped that before it even started." Harry frowned as he looked down to Bane.
"None of this is even close to your fault. I hope that you know that." Snape sat up a bit straighter. "And what about last year?"
"I don't know," Harry spoke honestly, shaking his head slightly, glaring down to his knees. "Professor Dumbledore told him that anything about last year wasn't relevant to today before he could go off."
Snape let out a frustrated huff of breath at the very idea of Fudge even attempting to bring up anything about the Tournament. "He was wrong to do so. The fuc..." the man stopped himself before he spoke the word, swallowing heavily. "He was wrong."
The teenager spared a glance over to Snape, lips turning to a small grin at the near slip. "I know. I think you would have been proud. I just let Professor Dumbledore do most of the talking so I didn't... slip up."
"I am very proud." Snape gave the child a serious look. "Very proud indeed. It sounds as though you behaved beautifully."
"I just want him off my back," he replied, raising a hand to rub briefly across his scar before resting it back down to his lap. "Feel like that's a lot to ask for."
"It isn't at all. I intend to talk to Albus about it. You have been with me for quite some time now and are obviously healthy and well. It is time that the Ministry leaves us be." The man picked up his teacup taking another small swallow of tea.
"What could Professor Dumbledore do? I mean...he's the Minister. Dumbledore can't have control over what he does." Harry leaned over, helping himself to another biscuit and taking a bite.
"You are correct, he cannot. However, Professor Dumbledore does have control over Hogwarts and who is permitted to visit his students." Snape set his teacup on the table beside him once more.
"So no surprise visits at Hogwarts like what happened last year when I was here?" He frowned, resting his cheek against the back of the couch while looking over towards the door. He hated the idea of such a thing happening again, especially at Hogwarts. Despite them watching all his classes two years ago. "They'll never accept that I'm happy."
"Essentially yes, I would like to prevent them from bothering you while at Hogwarts. I will speak with Albus about it this evening." Snape looked over at his child. "You deserve at least that."
"Thanks." Harry gave a grin before finishing the biscuit in just a few more bites, sighing softly. "Glad I wasn't there for hours. I thought it would last a lot longer."
"I apologize for not addressing that prior, I assumed that it would be over rather quickly." The man hummed softly. "Just as I assumed they would drop the case."
"It's Fudge. Even if you told me it wouldn't be long, I would think he'd make it longer." He shrugged a shoulder, looking down to Bane who slid down to a lying position next to the couch.
Snape made a small sound of understanding at the words. "As I said, I will discuss it with Albus tonight. I am sure he can meet with me for a few moments after the meeting."
Harry nodded, sparing a look up to the clock before back down to Snape. "What time are we leaving?"
"In just a little over an hour. I know I had said that you can visit with your godfather prior to these meetings however, I am going to be selfish today and keep you here with me until we go." The man's eyes remained on his child. "Are you packed for the Burrow?"
His smile broke out fully at the words, rolling to lay on his side while looking back to the man. Two years ago, he was sure Snape would have been glad to get rid of him earlier. "You're going to miss me while I'm staying there." He grinned, ignoring the question altogether.
"Do not be ridiculous." Snape forced a frown at the words. "I am going to be extremely busy preparing for the upcoming school year."
"Right, so you'll enjoy the silence." Harry looked down to Bane, rubbing his hand across the canine's neck. "Be sure to bark every time he tries to work."
"What silence? I have parties of epic proportions planned for every night that you are gone." Snape swallowed a smirk. "As I always do when you leave."
"I did last year all wrong. Should have had a party every day while you were teaching." Harry hummed, turning to look up to the ceiling.
Snape gave a hum of amusement at the words. "A wasted opportunity indeed."
"I'll remember it for the future." Harry rested his arm across his stomach, stretching out for a brief moment. "But also yeah, everything's packed."
"If you ever have a party in this house while I am out and unaware of it, you will not have a future." Snape gave the teenager a pointed look. "I will see to it that your trunk and owl are delivered to Hogwarts. Be sure that you have your school uniform packed to go to the Burrow with you."
"It was the first thing I packed. If I didn't, then I'd be hearing it the whole train ride from Hermione too." Harry rolled his eyes as he ignored the words about the party. He didn't have a death wish! Still, he was sure it would be somewhat amusing before he was killed. A grin tugged across his face at the thought.
"Quite bright that girl is." Snape nodded in approval. "I would assume that you will be visiting Diagon Alley with the Weasleys, I will see to it that you have plenty of pocket money."
"You know I can pay for my own things just fine," Harry muttered softly, rubbing his hand across his other arm as he shrugged up a shoulder.
"Absolutely not." Snape raised an eyebrow at the teenager. "You are my child, I can certainly see to it that you have what you need as well as some of what you want."
Harry smiled softly, pushing himself up to sit up and lean against the corner of the couch. "Yeah, I'm sure we'll be going there and we'll probably get a few things off the trolley when we get on the train."
"That is fine." Snape gave a small nod before fixing the boy with a pointed look. "Just do not eat too many sweets."
"Oh never." The teenager rolled his eyes, grinning over to Snape. "Promise not to buy the whole trolley again."
"You had best not." Snape huffed softly at the very thought of such a thing. "And behave yourself at the Weasleys as well please."
"I will." Harry turned, sitting crossed legged as he frowned. "I've been pretty good this summer I thought."
"You have," Snape agreed. "I was not aware that I stated otherwise, I was simply reminding you to continue with that good behavior."
"Well no... I just meant the same. I've been good this long, I'm not going to start up. Swear." Glancing up to the clock once more, Harry stretched his arms up. "Guess I should change out of this though and get ready." He motioned briefly to his pajamas that he had changed into after his bath, standing up with a sigh.
Snape gave a nod refraining from mentioning that just a day ago the teenager had nearly been in trouble after being made to leave a meeting ten minutes early. "Be sure to pack a light jacket as well. It will be a tad chilly the next few nights."
Harry gave a nod as he stepped around the couch, Bane following closely at his heels before they both disappeared up the stairs.
Harry jolted up to a sitting position. His heart was racing a mile a minute, he could feel the sweat trickling down the back of his neck. His eyes darted around the room as he let out a harsh breath, suddenly remembering that he was at the Burrow. His eyes finally rested on Ron, asleep in his bed across the room. Relief flooded the teenager as he realized that his best mate had somehow slept through the sounds of his nightmare. Despite that, Harry felt his cheeks darken at how loud he was sure he had been in the crowded house.
He let out a bated breath as he slid out of the bed and onto his feet. The room wasn't warm at all and yet Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he was overheated. He glanced over at the clock noting that it was nearing three in the morning. He was sure that the rest of the house was fast asleep.
He slowly and quietly walked across the room and slipped out of the bedroom door. He wanted to go for a walk outside to get some air but he was sure that if Snape found out he had done so the man would murder him.
As he made his way down the staircase he decided that he would just sit downstairs for a bit, calm himself down some before he went back to bed.
He stepped off the bottom step and moved towards the kitchen, not even noticing the light coming from under the door.
Harry pushed open the kitchen door to the sound of Ginny letting out a breath of relief. "I thought you were my mum," she confessed with a relieved grin. "She hates when I am up this late."
Harry jumped slightly at the sound of her voice as he looked up at her. "Sorry. I didn't know you were down here." The teenager nearly turned and walked back towards the stairs but instead stayed rooted in his spot.
"Oh it's okay. Do you want a cup of tea? I just made some."
Harry glanced over at the stove before giving a small nod. "Have you been up all night?" He stepped into the kitchen fully, letting the door close behind him.
Ginny gave a nod as she moved to pour a cup of tea. "I was reading some Quidditch magazines and then I was about to go to bed but I decided a cup of tea would likely help me sleep better."
Harry moved over to the table, sliding into a seat. "I didn't know you liked Quidditch."
"Mmhmm." Ginny gave a nod as she carefully carried the cup of tea across the room and handed it to Harry. "I love Quidditch." She eyed the boy carefully before sitting back down. "I didn't know you stayed up this late."
"I wasn't up." Harry felt his ears burn slightly. "I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep." He trusted Ginny and he really liked her but he couldn't admit to her that he had a nightmare like some bloody toddler.
Ginny gave a knowing nod at the words. "That happens to me sometimes too. Sometimes I have nightmares about what happened down in the chamber and then I can't get back to sleep."
Harry frowned at the words. "You have nightmares about that?" He couldn't help the concern he felt for the girl. That felt so long ago to him, he hardly even thought about it let alone had nightmares about it.
"Sometimes," she admitted in a soft voice. "Not all that often but I'm sure that is normal. It was a pretty serious thing. You never have nightmares about all the things you have been through?"
Harry nearly denied such a thing before he gave a small shrug. "Yeah, sometimes." Nevermind the fact that in the past week and a half he had called for Snape in the middle of the night so often that he was sure that the man was annoyed with it despite the fact that he never acted like he was at all. Watching a ten year old have his soul sucked from his body was the cause of every one of them and Harry hated it.
"It's normal." Ginny shrugged before picking up her teacup and taking a sip. Her eyes stayed on Harry. The last thing she wanted was to make him uncomfortable, still, she couldn't help but offer. "Did you want to talk about it?"
Harry was silent for a moment before clearing his throat softly. "I guess lately they have just been about everything that happened...with Justin." He was sure that she would know what he was talking about. He knew Mrs. Weasley well enough to know that she had definitely mentioned it a time or two in front of her kids.
Ginny gave an understanding nod at the words. "I would probably be having a nightmare every night if something like that happened to me."
Harry hummed softly at her words before tapping his fingers gently against the table. "I should have been able to save him," he muttered softly.
Ginny took in a breath at the words. She felt her heart hurt at the guilt that she heard in his voice. "That's not true," she replied. "I'm sure no one feels that way."
"I feel that way," Harry replied with a small shrug.
Ginny swallowed hard at the words. "Why?" She couldn't help but wonder if anyone else knew that he felt like this and if they did, if they had asked him the same question.
Harry shrugged once more. "I'm Harry Potter," he answered in a sarcastic tone. "The Chosen One."
A frown took over her face at the words. "That doesn't mean you are supposed to be able to do everything and no one thinks you should have been able to save him. Everyone knows how dementors are. They don't understand anything aside from death." She paused for a moment, her eyes drifting from him to her tea. "Did you have a nightmare tonight?"
He shrugged again before nodding. "I couldn't fall back asleep." He felt his cheeks prickle with warmth.
Ginny nodded in understanding. "I know how that is."
Harry glanced up at her, giving her a small grin. "This tea is really good. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Snape sat in his armchair, a nightcap sitting beside him. He couldn't help but worry about his child. Harry had been having nightmares more often than not and he hoped that the boy would manage the next two nights at the Burrow without such an occurrence.
He knew that he was being absolutely ridiculous. Harry was fifteen. He could handle himself. Still, the man couldn't help but feel some anxiety at the idea that the teenager would wake up and he would not be there to make sure he was okay and talk it through with him.
The man picked up his tumbler, taking a sip of his drink. It was only two nights. He would see to it that he spoke with Harry after the welcome feast. He would make sure that he was alright. He was going to get the teenager to open up to him regardless of what it took. He knew better than anyone that no good would come from keeping his feelings bottled up.
He took a second sip of his drink before setting it back down. He quickly talked himself of his instinct to send the boy a note and make sure he was okay. He certainly didn't want to embarrass him. He was sure the teenager would never forgive him for such a thing.
Sighing softly, the man waved a hand causing the small fire that had been burning to smother. He hummed softly as Bane raised his head from his spot on the floor and looked over at the man. He gave the canine a frown before sighing softly. "I miss him as well."
TBC...