Hey, you guys and gals. I am so sorry for going away for so long. I think I am back to normal now or at least getting there. I plan to write a chapter a week for each of the current stories. If you have any ideas or comments, please make them. Also, it is easier for me to respond if you leave a name or email. I try to respond to each comment, but alas, I cannot for guests. So, if you want me to respond, leave an email or something. Thanks.

Severus looked down as the boy unwrapped the parcel carefully, almost reverently. He had no idea why he was wasting his period of instruction with the boy with such... niceties, but the boy had so little. Severus had watched the child at practices this week, in secret as was necessary, seeming almost restricted to the use of the Cleansweeps that Hogwarts allowed by those without their own broom. The boy was stunted by such outdated models, and it was utterly unacceptable how crude the models were, how faulty the safety charms could become.

While there were other models, the top of the line Nimbus 2000 had praises rang onto it enough that even someone such as Severus Snape knew it to be the fastest... and safest broom. It had all of the speed and the added charms necessary for an overly small eleven-year-old going head-to-head with overly broad older years. He had, of course, had Lucius assist in procuring the broom from Diagon Alley as Severus would rather eat a pickled-toad then be seen in that store. It had been a rather gruelling success as he put up with the behaviour in which Lucius nearly fawned over him and his new-found "soft-heart," as if Severus could be described as such.

Now here he was, heat on the back of his neck and the tips of his ears as he watched Harry open the gift with such reverence. It should have been a crime to look so mystified by a gift with his name on it, but Severus was well aware of how it was only the second gift the boy had ever received in his life. The boy was almost too gentle as he opened the parcel to find the broom before him.

Severus felt a smug satisfaction as the boy's eyes went wide with wonder and his hands wandered across the broom as tenderly as if the broom was sentient. Satisfaction bled into panic as the child began to weep. Severus was moving on instinct around the table separating them and found himself kneeling in front of the folded inward child. The boy's hands were stuffed over his face, his chest was heaving, and his shoulders trembled, and all Severus could do was put cautious hands on the child's shoulders.

It seemed his reactions were fruitful as he found the tiny blur of a child forcefully knocking him to the ground in a desperate grip. Severus found his arms already around the child and bringing him closer to where he could cup the head digging into his neck. There were words he could hear now between hitched breaths.

"Thank y-you. N-Never... had a g-gift b-before. T-too much."

Severus did not bother to contain his scoff, rising with the child still clutched to him. He moved them to the other side of his desk, settling into his own chair and allowing the boy his mobility to move as he pleased. Said child found it his purpose to settle onto his lap and tuck himself tighter to Severus's person. Severus silently rolled his eyes and stroked the messy mop of hair on the child's head.

"It was not too much for both your safety and your ability. I had to even stop Professor McGonagall from doing the same because I assure you now, Potter, I will not have you on some over-ridden, failing old broom while you twirl about hundreds of meters in the air. Do I make myself clear?"

The boy nodded, his eyes bright with wonder and tears. "Yes, sir. Thank you so much. It's so wicked and amazing, and I don't even know how I am going to repay you..."

Severus sighed, tapping the boy's twirling hands. "Enough of that, Harry. Not only will you not be repaying me, but you will also not ask to ever again, are we clear?"

"But sir!"

The boy flinched, tightening himself inward. Severus knew it was from fear at his response to the boy's raised voice. Severus tried his usual reassuring expression on and tilted the child's ducked head to level his gaze. The boy looked at him from under his fringe before relaxing once again. "I need no payment for giving you a gift, Harry. Take it as the gift it is as there will be plenty more in your future."

"Uhm, yes, sir."

Severus smirked, pulling a handkerchief from his robe pocket and handing it to the child. The boy brightened visibly and took the token to wipe his face. Severus discarded it with a spell and moved to set the boy onto his feet. Once the child was once again calm and standing, Severus took over leading him back around to the broom. The boy looked just as awed but more restrained as he looked over the broom without touching it.

"Go on, Harry. Our instruction can wait for another time. I suggest you take Mr Weasley with you to the pitch and familiarize yourself with the broom."

The boy's eyes went wide as saucers. "W-we aren't going to learn anything new?"

Severus smirked. "Not today. I do believe it better you are comfortable on the broom as you have practice tonight, do you not?"

Harry nodded his head, his eyes still wide. "And you think I should go now?"

Severus rolled his eyes, taking the broom from the desk and sticking it into the boy's arms. "Go, Potter. Take Weasley and be safe. I will know if you disobey a single order I have stated. Understood?"

The boy gulped, nodding his head avidly. "Yes, sir. Thank you again."

Severus nodded at the thanks and steered the child from the office. He shut the door once he saw the boy making his way from the dungeons. Severus's head was lit with a warmth that he could not explain, and his chest was tight. Maybe he was coming down with something and should visit Poppy.

Harry

Harry tried not to rush down the corridors as he attempted to make his way to where Ron was waiting for him in the Great Hall. He peeked around the doors to see Ron waiting at the Gryffindor table. Harry grinned, yelling Ron's name to get his attention and then motioning him out into the hall. The redhead looked bewildered at the display from Harry, but Harry could hardly contain his excitement.

His Professor had gotten him a gift, and not just any present, but a Nimbus 2000, the fastest broom on the market. The man had given him the highest chance at winning over his own house, and that had to mean something. His Professor really cared about him so much that he would risk losing the Quidditch Cup, which was huge from what Oliver had told him. Oliver had said that Professor Snape being present for his demonstration was weird and then had explained there was a legendary rivalry between the two houses, especially between His Professor and Professor McGonagall.

Harry was grinning like a loon he was sure because Ron was looking at him like he'd gone mad. His best friend settled a hand on his shoulder and then seemed to see what was in that hand. The other boy's eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open. "Bloody Hell, mate! That's a Nimbus 2000!"

Harry nodded avidly, not caring as his glasses went askew. He just righted them with the other hand and proudly held up the broom for Ron's closer inspection. "Yep, I just got it as a gift from... Professor McGonagall."

His best friend's eyes seemed to try to grow larger at that information, but his hands were already rubbing over the broom handle in reverie. Harry smiled as his friend seemed just as in awe of the broom as he had been, minus the tears, of course. Harry felt a touch of embarrassment creep over him from crying over the gift, but he was sure that his Professor would never mention it.

"Mate, this is the best broom on the market!"

Harry's eyes caught the hint of blonde hair before a scoff interrupted his response. "And what do we have here? A broom, Baby Potty. What will the Professor say?"

Ron was the first to react, his face reddening and his body whirling to face Malfoy and Crabbe. Harry felt his own face reddening, and his eyes were glaring at the blonde. The boy looked jealous and pinched as he looked to the broom in his hands, and Harry was ashamed to feel a bit of vindictive satisfaction.

"It's not just any old broom, Malfoy. It's a Nimbus 2000. What is it you said you had at home, Malfoy? A Comet 260?" Ron looked to Harry with a satisfied grin. "The Comet looks flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

Malfoy sneered at Ron, and Harry took another step forward to be level with Ron. "Save it, Malfoy. I didn't come to argue with you. Come on, Ron."

Ron looked stunned, and Malfoy seemed just as offended at being cut off. Harry found an arm pushing him back when he went to step past Malfoy. "Where are you off to, Baby Potty? Going to go spend your time grovelling at the Professor's feet for a morsel of attention and affection? We all know the muggles think you're useless. He will too. Who wouldn't see that about you, Pitiful Potty?"

Ron snapped to look at Harry, who felt like a chasm had opened in his chest. Malfoy was right, of course. There was no way his Professor would keep seeing him as his exception. Harry was useless and a fre... he wasn't wanted. He knew that as well as he knew his own name. He was kidding himself thinking the broom wasn't the beginning of the end and that the Professor would see he was a burden now and stop talking to him and hate him...

"Harry! Mate, breathe!"

Harry flinched at the arms on his shoulders, looking up to see Ron hovering over him. He tried to understand why his chest hurt and why his throat burned all the way to his lungs. Malfoy and Crabbe were still there, though if he looked around Ron, he could see the diminutive form of Professor Flitwick. Why was his chest hurting him, and why wasn't he breathing?

"Mate, you're scaring me! Professor!"

Harry was made to sit on the ground, and Professor Flitwick was now in from of him. The small Professor waved his wand, and Harry felt his eyes water as air rushed into him. The spell must have kept at it because Harry found himself not in control as the air came into and out of his body. Tears of embarrassment and fear rushed to his eyes, and he tried to duck his face into his knees.

"Mr Potter, please wait for a moment. I need to be assured of your recovery. Then might I suggest the hospital wing?"

Harry nodded shakily but bringing his eyes back up made him able to see the ugly look on Malfoy's face. Ron must have noticed because he turned to Malfoy and told him to bugger off. Malfoy sniggered as he sauntered off, but he wasn't free before Professor Flitwick assigned him detention that night with him. Harry only felt slightly appeased by that as it didn't stop Malfoy from spreading the word about his breakdown.

Now that Malfoy had left, the tears came harder down his face and his breathing, left in his control, hitched. He wanted... why was he doing this to himself? Why was he attaching himself to his Professor when he knew it could all be taken away in a moment? Was Malfoy right and he was desperate for even a small amount of affection? He didn't want Malfoy to be right about any of it.

Professor Flitwick was still watching him as he cast a spell that caused a piece of parchment to enchant into a bird. Harry was distracted by it for a moment before it was sent flying. Harry wasn't sure for the need of that paper bird, but he did find himself wanting to know the spell. The small Professor looked down at him with concern, and Harry felt his chest tighten in shame.

"I-i'm fine, Professor. Honest. You can go."

Professor Flitwick looked unconvinced and didn't move, and Harry could see Ron's mouth was opening and closing like a fish out of water. Hary assumed it was due to him sobbing and barely breathing correctly. He wanted to stop and get himself together, but his heart hurt within his chest. Harry wanted his Professor, but he was also unsure if that would give him the comfort he needed.

Why did he let Malfoy get to him? His past experiences with adults reminded him how easy everything Malfoy said could come true and curled into his knees finally. He blocked out the conversation Ron was trying to have with him or the returned words Professor Flitwick was saying.

"Why are you two blithering idiots just standing there? Move, Weasley. Honestly, Filius, you have the emotional intelligence of a toad."

Harry didn't dare look up as his Professor insulted both his friend and one of his friendlier Professors. Usually, he would have stuck up for them both, but he wondered if that would make his Professor hate him faster. The fear made him swallow the words and sob into his knees harder.

"You're upsetting him you, git!"

Harry's head shot up to see Ron scowling at his Professor and looking red in the face. His Professor's jaw was clenched, and Harry could see the contained fury in his stance. "I am doing nothing of the sort, Weasley. Either be silent or make haste away from me before you find yourself scrubbing pus and cauldrons with me for a month."

Harry was surprised at the controlled response from his Professor, but as the man turned to him and his face melted into concern, he found his answer. The man was civil for his sake, or as considerate as Professor Snape could be. Harry grasped at his pant legs to keep his hands from twining and resisted the urge to hide back in his knees.

His Professor stepped closer, gesturing his hand around their space. Harry watched with wonder as the world outside of their immediate vicinity blurred and muffled. The man must have cast wards around them, and Harry felt immediately grateful for the consideration.

His Professor moved closer, dropping into a kneel to be more level with him. Though the man still towered over him, Harry only managed to feel comfort from the presence. The man was trying at his smile, the genuine smile in his eyes as usual, and Harry felt something in his chest unfurl.

The man glanced back to Professor Flitwick, who stood slightly back with a confused Ron. "What happened?"

The smaller Professor cleared his throat, glancing at the broom in Ron's hands. "Two of your students had stopped Mr Potter and Weasley. They were exchanging words, and from what I heard near the end, Mr Malfoy was insulting Mr Potter. The child was having a panic attack before I could get to them to separate the two groups."

Harry clenched his teeth as his Professors jaw set. He so badly wanted to bite his lip, but he didn't want to anger the man more. His Professor turned his head to the other side to glance at Ron, and the redhead jumped at the barked question.

"Uhm, well, sir, Malfoy stopped us to make fun of Harry. I tried to defend him, and then Harry told us both to stop and for us to leave. Malfoy stopped Harry from leaving and then told him that... Uhm, well, he said the Professor would figure out what his muggle family already did."

His Professor glanced at him, his eyes curious, but Harry found himself ducking back into his knees at the look. "And, what did he say 'this Professor' would find out?"

Harry heard the enunciation on the words and shivered at the tone. His Professor sounded angry, and there was a bite to his words. Harry was doomed.

"Malfoy said that his muggle family thought him useless, sir. But that's rubbish! No one could think that about Harry, sir! It's completely mad!"

Harry was surprised to hear a hum of agreement from his Professor. "You are correct, Weasley. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not that children need to have 'use' to be valued by those who genuinely care for them. Wouldn't you agree, Filius?"

Harry peeked up to see three sets of eyes on him. Ron looked as shocked as he had for the past few minutes, Professor Flitwick looked mostly concerned as well as pleased, and his Professor had that soft regard still aimed only at him. He noticed distantly that he was no longer crying and that his chest no longer hurt.

"Of course not, Severus. Children are a gift, not tools."

His Professor caught his eyes, and Harry needed no more words to understand what his Professor was saying to him. Harry rushed from his position and flung himself into his Professor's arms. He wasn't going to allow himself to cry anymore, but he did bury his face into the man's neck and curled tightly into the man. His Professor just held him closer, rubbing down his back soothingly.

"Harry, we have spoken before about this, but I want to be clear, nothing you do will push me away or make me see you in any other light. Whatever Malfoy manages to snipe at you, I want you to try to remember this. I promise to be there for you no matter what, Harry."

Harry nodded against the man, hearing his friend's gasp and Professor Flitwick's squeak. "A verbal response, Mr Potter."

"I understand, sir. Honest."

The man tapped his head, and Harry pulled his face from the man's neck without being told. His Professor was gazing down at him with a dark look on his face, but Harry knew he wasn't angry with him. The man stood, placing Harry onto his own feet, and crossed his arms across his chest. Harry fisted his robes in his hands and looked up at the man through his fringe.

"Why haven't you told me that Malfoy has continued to bully you, Harry? Especially when it seems to be about me specifically?"

Harry blushed, looking to where Ron was staring between him and his Professor with wide eyes. "I, uhm, well... I would just be proving him right, sir. He calls me Baby Potty because I always run crying to you like some toddler. It's embarrassing."

The man sighed, gesturing for Harry to remain silent. "It seems we have more to discuss then I previously thought. Filius, I assume Malfoy's detention has been arranged?"

The smaller Professor jumped and began nodding. "Yes, yes, of course, Severus. Should I cancel it?"

His Professor seemed to consider it before looking down again at Harry. "No, take the boy, but remind him of what I warned last time. He will know of the threat easily. Also, kindly impart to him, that if this incident gets around the school, his own dirty laundry is bound to be aired."

Harry's eyebrows shot into his hairline. "Sir!"

His Professor rolled his eyes, looking at him with his eyebrow cocked. "How I decide to punish my students is no concern of yours, Harry? Bullying is a serious matter, Mr Potter. Though I know your Gryffindor sensibilities make you think you must become a martyr, I am not allowing some boy to continue to grow into some bullying fool. He has shown he cannot be reasoned with, so another manner of solutions must be used. Understood, Harry?"

Harry sighed before nodding his acceptance. He understood what the Professor was saying. Dudley had been the same, and there was no reasoning with him either, and Harry wasn't going to forgive either of them since it was plain they weren't sorry. Sometimes the only way to resolve a bully is to be mean back, but Harry didn't like being mean. It seemed his Professor had no such hangups.

"Alright. So you understand now that you will come to me if he bullies you again?"

"Sir, I really don't want to come off as some tattle-tale baby."

The man knelt once more, his hands resting on his shoulders. "Harry, child, did you like how Malfoy's words made you feel about me?"

Harry flinched at the question. "Well, no, sir. They made me feel horrible."

The man nodded, his hand just barely wiping at the tear tracks on his cheeks. "Do you think I enjoy seeing you so upset?"

Harry shook his head, knowing from the man's anger and response so far that the man was agitated that Harry was being bullied by Malfoy. "No, sir. I know how much you hate it too."

"Then, can you please do us both this one favour and allow me to protect you from any more harm? I don't like seeing you so upset, Harry, and I want to make it better. Can you let me do that, Harry?"

Harry scraped his lip with his teeth before nodding to the man. "Yes, sir. I can do it."

The man nodded as he finished wiping at the tear tracks on Harry's face. "Excellent, Harry. Good boy."

Harry felt his chest open and get stuffed with warmth at the words. His face lit up at the praise, and he dove in for one more hug with the man. Harry pulled himself away and looked back to see Ron looking at him oddly. Harry understood now would be the best time to explain things to Ron before he got more confused or angry that Harry was keeping something from him.

His Professor took down his spells and gestured for the doors leading outside. "I think I will walk you and Mr Weasley to the pitch, if you don't mind, Harry?"

Harry nodded and followed his Professor out toward the pitch with Ron carrying his new broom. Harry glanced over at his friend, the other boy already staring at him. Harry gulped and stuck his hands into his pockets to keep from twining them. "Uhm, I guess you probably have questions."

Ron snorted, gesturing toward Harry's Professor. "You think, mate?"

Harry winced. "Yeah, I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, Ron. I just... it's been a lot."

It was Ron's turn to wince. "Well, I don't know everything, but I guess what Malfoy was saying about the muggles..."

Harry nodded. "They, well, they never really wanted me in the first place. Professor Snape, he well, found out that day Malfoy hurt me."

Ron gulped, his face white. "So, do they? You know?"

Harry turned his face away, catching the briefest look of reassurance from his Professor. "They have, yeah. I, uhm, didn't think anyone would care, but Professor Snape did."

Ron glanced at the Professor's back, his face unreadable. "Well, I'm glad he helped you, Harry. Uhm, do you know where you will be going this summer? You can't go back there."

Harry grimaced. "I, uhm... not sure. Some lady from the ministry is sorting it, and well, Professor Snape said he would take guardianship until I found someone I want to live with."

Ron's eyebrows shot into his hairline, but he managed not to scream his usual, 'bloody hell.' "Are you serious? That's... well, after earlier... Uhm, I think it will be good for you, mate."

Harry grinned at his friend and looked to where his Professor seemed to manage to give them some semblance of privacy. The man had seemed tense, but Harry noticed that it was gone now. Maybe Harry wasn't the only one insecure about how people would react to his Professor being his guardian.

They had made it to the pitch, and Harry allowed Ron to have the first ride on the broom while he lingered next to his Professor without actually invading his space. The man settled a hand onto his shoulder, and the comfort made Harry's heartbeat slow to normal. "I think Mr Weasley will be a good confidant, but please inform him this information is to stay with him, Harry?"

Harry nodded, smiling up at the man. His Professor's softened look was returned to him, and Harry had to resist hugging the man once again.

Severus

Minerva had entered his quarters looking as smug as the cat she changed into, but Severus did not have to wait long for the answer as to why. "The Pensieve, Severus. You won't want to miss this."

Severus called the object to the coffee table and allowed her to deposit the memory into the Pensieve. Severus was gestured forward, and he sat on the sofa before falling into the memory...

Minerva stood on the doorstep of Pentunia's perfect house in her perfect neighbourhood with Andromeda taking up the task of knocking on the door. The door was thrown open by a large muggle man, Vernon if Severus recalled correctly.

"What you freaks want?" the boisterous man shouted.

Severus felt his anger matching Minerva's as the woman moved forward to confront the man. Andromeda placed a calming hand on Minerva's arm and turned a sickenly sweet, false smile onto the man. "We are here to discuss your nephew Harry Potter, Mr Dursley. May we come in?"

The man's nostrils flared at the mention of the boy, but he made this grunting huff and motioning the two witches into the home. "Well, hurry up then. No need for the neighbours to see you lot."

Andromeda moved inside the home with grace while Minerva stomped her way past the man with a well-placed boot onto his foot. Satisfaction at the small slight filled him as he was now going into the house. The decoration was so conformed and precise that Severus found his eyes burning. He looked away from the eyesore and found himself in the parlour with the lout of a son and Petunia.

"What are you doing here?" she shrieked.

Minerva smirked, but Andromeda was the one to answer her, "We are here to discuss your nephew. Please, do sit down."

Petunia looked like she had swallowed a whole lemon, though that was hardly a change from her usual expression. "What of him? We sent him to that freaky school after you sent that oaf to scare us."

Minerva seemed to barely be holding onto her sanity and decorum as she pointed at the woman. "You have no right to disrespect Hagrid after what you have done. We should have done more than threaten you after all you have done to Harry."

"What has the freak been saying? He's a liar and a dirty little monster."

Andromeda barely managed to stop Minerva from launching herself at the woman, and Severus had to swallow his disappointment. She would have most assuredly deserved it. The husband came in then and stomped his foot, his face red with anger. "I will not have it! We have done nothing to that disrespectful little twit! Now, leave my home at once!"

Andromeda looked at him cooly, and Severus was reminded of Bellatrix once again. "We will leave after you have signed these papers in my hand. If you choose not to, well, we have plenty of evidence to go to the muggle authorities and run your name in the mud as well as have you charged for child abuse. Your choice, of course."

Severus grinned wolfishly at the reactions on their faces. They would sign, no doubt, and after gathering themselves back with their anger, they both took a pen to the document. Andromeda smiled and took the papers away from them.

"Well, woman, what was it?"

Andromeda glared at the man, her mask slipping. "You have signed away your guardianship of Mr Potter. He will not be coming back, and any stipend you have received for his care will be stopped. In the future, should Mr Potter wish it, your compensation will be back paid to him, and charges may be brought."

"Charges! For what? The little freak had it coming, always doing those freaky little tricks of his! He needed the discipline to beat it out of him!"

Andromeda's eyes flashed with something before she turned to Minerva. "I will be outside, Minerva. Please be brief."

Minerva smirked and nodded as she took out her wand. Severus watched with bated breath as she cast the spell, and it washed over the two older Dursley's. She turned on the younger and cast a different spell, a much more forgiving one in Severus's opinion. "You will probably already be experiencing the effects, the dread and fear and sadness. That is what Lily and James must feel from the beyond from your actions, and now, you too will feel as if at any moment, no matter what you do, someone will come and treat your son the way you have treated Harry. It will never go away, not for at least eleven years, and if at that point the message hasn't sunk in, it will continue until you manage remorse for what you have done."

"What have you done to my Duddykins!"

Minerva sneered at Petunia and gestured to the child. "His is a much more forgiving spell, but it makes him feel like every time he bullies someone, the feelings they exhibit will be transferred to him tenfold. If the child ever grows out of being a bully, the spell will end. If not, oh well."

"You can't... You bloody bint!"

"It appears as if I already have, Mr Dursley."

Severus came out of the memory with a grin on his face. His whole chest felt vindictively pleased, and he found himself hugging the elder witch. She made a surprised noise before hugging him back. Severus could only smirk as he released her and moved to his liquor cabinet. "A drink, Minerva."

She was smiling and looking at him oddly as she nodded. "Yes, a toast."

He smirked, pouring them each three fingers of his single malt. He handed the woman a tumbler and held up his own. They tapped each other's glass and turned them up.

Severus was waiting with Harry in his office. It was Sunday, and they expected to meet with Andromeda that afternoon. They had already had a tea service brought in for them both, and Severus had already given the boy a number of biscuits to keep him entertained.

It had just reached the hour when the woman came stumbling from the floo. Unlike her daughter, she did not collapse, but it was a near thing. Harry looked sympathetic, but Severus was smirking at the woman as she righted herself and strode toward the nearly permanent sitting area taking up the corner of his office.

She was already getting down to business, laying out the documents with the Dursley's signature. There were already colourful notes marking the place for his and Harry's signature, but he had already informed the witch they would speak to the child first. Severus leaned toward the boy, causing the bright, green eyes to stare at him curiously. "Harry, you are aware that Andromeda has been working on getting the paperwork for you to have new guardians, correct?"

"Yes, sir. Is that what that is?"

Severus nodded, gesturing to the signatures of the child's previous... minders. "Yes, child, those signatures there are form the Dursley's. As was already agreed when we began this, I will take your guardianship."

The boy was obvious in his attempts not to bite his lip or twine his hands, and Severus waited patiently for the child to express himself. "Until we find someone else?"

Severus could hear the boy's hesitance to remind him. It was clear the child had no one else he wanted to be his guardian, and while Severus was always saying he wasn't fit, he could not begrudge the child he cared for so deeply. "Well, child... I would like to extend a new deal."

The boy's head perked up, and his eyes were alight again. Severus found the change calming to his weathered emotions. "A new deal, sir?"

Severus moved to kneel in front of the boy. "Yes, Harry, a better deal. Over this month, it has been made clear to me that I was mistaken. I would like to offer to be your guardian indefinitely, or until you find you have had your fill of me. I am not an easy man, but I... I find myself wanting to help you by filling that role."

The child's eyes were wide, and Severus felt the creeping anxiety coming over him. "Really, sir? Y-you want me?"

Severus cleared his throat, obviously affected by the biscuits from earlier. They must have been dry, he reasoned. "For as long as you will have me, child."

The boy flung himself into his arms, and Severus caught the child fully prepared for one of his limpet attacks. The boy, for once, was not sobbing in earnest, but there were definite tears were clinging to Severus's neck. The boy was thanking him, and Severus found himself combing through the boy's hair with his hand and shushing him.

Severus had so far avoided looking in her direction, but he caught a glimpse of the witch in the chair beside him dabbing at her own eyes. Severus gritted his teeth against the need to clear his throat again. "Harry, might we sign the papers?"

The child nodded but did not pull away from him. Severus chuckled, grabbing the boy and carrying him with him back to his own chair. He settled with the child on his lap but faced the boy toward the table holding the documents. Severus helped the boy to sign in the correct place before doing so himself. It was only after they had finished that the parchment rolled itself up and disappeared with a pop.

The child in Severus's arms looked fascinated, and Severus found himself smirking down at the boy. Andromeda stood, and Severus gave her his brief attention. She smiled at him and offered a hand. Severus tried to feel embarrassed he was not following wizarding customs, but he was too... happy, he supposed.

He shook her hand and allowed her to see herself out while he took to rubbing the back of the drifting child in his arms. The child he was the guardian of... he was the guardian of Harry Potter.