Dream Sequence 

Harry stood up silently as Snape returned to his book. He didn’t wanna be in the man's company anymore, especially if his Professor decided to ask some more questions he couldn’t really answer.

"I'm gonna go lie down," he murmured, unsure if the man even heard him.

As short as that conversation was it seemed to have tired him out, then again it could be from him trying to figure out what to do about his godfather.
Though Snape had said he was staying with him because he wanted him there it still very hard to believe. Against his will Harry found himself convincing himself that Snape calling him his child last night was all a dream. By the time he reached his room, he was borderline depressed. Falling on his bed dramatically, he tried to think of a plan to visit Sirius.

He knew he should have agreed with his godfather, even if he didn’t actually mean it. Sirius was probably feeling like Harry was betraying him or something. He really needed to speak with him; he just didn’t know how to go about it. Harry laid there on his bed, drifting off into an uneasy sleep. He woke up to Snape calling him for lunch, and he sighed softly before wiping his sweaty forehead. He had a pretty nasty dream and was grateful that it didn’t progress that far. What was putting him on edge was the possibility a nightmare occurring that night.

He knew from the boys in his dorm that he could be pretty loud depending on how severe the dream was. He figured Snape wouldn’t appreciate that in the slightest. After all who would enjoy getting woken up from a blood curdling scream. He frowned unconsciously as he made his way to the kitchen and taking a seat at the table. Out of habit he waited for Snape to serve himself, but he looked at the man in confusion when he didn’t move to grab anything. 30 seconds went by before Harry finally spoke, confusion clear in his tone.

"Um Professor, why aren’t you eating, Harry asked curiously"
"I don’t think I'm hungry today," Severus replied neutrally.

Harry frowned as his stomach growled softly, what was he supposed to do now?

"By all means Harry, don’t let me stop you from enjoying yourself," Severus replied, hoping Harry would grab some food on his own. Though Harry explained to him, he still couldn’t understand how nor why the Durselys demanded he wasn’t allowed to eat before them. So if they didn’t eat one day, did the same apply to Harry?

Harry's stomach clenched painfully, whether from hunger or nerves he didn’t know. He sighed to himself he had been without meals before he could last until dinner. If anything this was nothing, sometimes he had to go a whole day without food.

"Aren’t you going to eat Mr. Potter?" Severus asked casually.
"No sir, I guess I'm not too hungry either," Harry replied softly, before forcing his gaze away from the food.

Severus inwardly moaned, this wasn’t what he wanted to happen. The child had to know that he could still eat, even if he didn’t."Are you sure?" Severus asked skeptically.

Harry glanced up at the food, his eyes lingering on the mashed potatoes especially before shaking his head and responding.

"No sir, May I be excused now?" Harry asked, knowing he still had quite a bit of treats from their Honeydukes trip. Though it wasn’t filling it would take the edge off his hunger.

Severus quirked an eyebrow, did the boy even realize what he had said?

"You’re not sure Mr. Potter?" He asked.

Harry blanched before shaking his head once.

"I meant I am sure sir; can I be excused?" He asked uneasily just wanting to get out of here.

Severus shook his head and groaned inwardly before getting up from his chair and deliberately coming to stand next to Harry. He felt the boy tense next to him, and not wanting to cause another panic attack he quickly served him.

"Professor what are you doing? I said I wasn’t hungry remember?" Harry asked swallowing hard as he looked at the food on his now full plate.

"Just eat child," Severus murmured tiredly before going back to his place.

Harry stared at the man in shock, what was the catch? He could eat but what did the man want him to do? He nodded gratefully hoping it wouldn't be too hard, before grabbing his fork and scooping up some mashed potatoes. He noticed the man serve himself and Harry relaxed ever so slightly. Unconsciously moving his free arm in a defensive position; lest his plate get taken away, he slowly started eating.

Severus noticed the position but ignore it for the time being, not wanting to upset him.

Harry finished his lunch quietly before waiting to be excused. He was surprised that Snape wasn’t giving him any chores but he just assumed the man would eventually. He grabbed his broom and flew around for a few hours. He came in about an hour before dinner exhausted. Walking to his room, he flopped on the bed and was out like a light. He didn’t even stir when Snape was calling him for dinner.

Severus growled silently to himself as the boy ignored his calls. If the child wasn’t so skinny he wouldn’t care if he skipped a meal. But seeing as the boy couldn’t afford to skip a meal this was a problem. Trudging up the stairs he walked quickly to Harry's room and opened it. Walking into the room he could see the crooked glasses on the boy’s face, but his breathing was even.

Severus nodded he wasn’t about to wake the child up when he so obviously needed his rest. Hoping the boy would sleep through the night he gently removed his glasses. Gently flicking his wand and he changed him into pajamas before tucking him under the covers. By the end of the break he would probably be good at this child caring thing. Unable to resist he brushed the soft hair from Harry’s forehead, wishing that for once this child didn’t have to suffer anymore. Lily’s child didn’t deserve this; he didn’t deserve to carry such a heavy burden. Sighing softly he headed out the room closely the door behind him, before going back downstairs.

Harry slept peacefully for awhile until a little bit after 1:30am, when he was suddenly tossing and turning in his bed. Snape had already gone to his room and was in bed asleep. He groaned as he tossed as his the images played out in his dream.

Harry was in a forest, he was lost and he couldn’t get out. He heard something behind him and he took off running, glancing back he saw the giant spiders from his 2nd year. As he was running he couldn’t see through all the brush and he tripped. When he tried to stand up he was shocked to find himself in a dark cramped space, which he recognized instantly as his cupboard. Allowing his heart to slow down, as he contemplated what he was doing here until he heard the thundering footsteps above him. He swallowed hard as he heard his Uncle’s voice get closer and closer to him. He tensed up and froze when the door to his cupboard finally opened and he was yanked out. He brought his hands up protectively knowing that they would do no good, as his Uncle prepared to teach him a lesson. He learned early on not to scream, that only made it worse. He couldn’t stop the silent tears that poured freely down his face as he was beaten.

When his legs gave out he was kicked and he found himself unable to get up, just wishing that the darkness would take him. Harry laid on the floor, his hands covering his head, only looking up when the shouting stopped. He felt a sense of dread overtake him as he recognized his bedroom from Grimmauld Place. Harry could feel footsteps on the stairs and he dragged his already bruised body to try to hide by the bed, but he didn’t make it. Sirius had entered the room and came straight for him, his tears never stopping, not that he had noticed a thing, his eyes only on the man in his doorway.

Harry was yanked up to his feet, his sore body protesting as he godfather held him tightly, he was so scared. Why was Sirius doing this? He saw a hand out the corner of his eye and he flinched back and watched in horror as his godfather turned into Uncle Vernon, before changing again into Voldermort. Harry screamed in fear, before falling to his knees, burying his head in his hands wishing that someone would help him. As the monster came toward him he couldn’t prevent another terror-filled scream that escaped his mouth, as he sobbed. He was alone, so very alone.          

  Severus jolted out of bed instantly as a scream pierced the air, and through his consciousness. Grabbing his wand from under his pillow he ran to the only other person in his manor; to Harry’s room. He didn’t know what he would fine, and within minutes he had reached the boy’s room. Opening it up carefully he looked around for an intruder but saw nothing, before reaching over and turning on the light.

He walked into the room and saw the boy tossing and turning on the bed, he was trembling and crying, but he seemed to still be asleep. Severus reached out one hand to shake him only to wince as another shriek penetrated the air.

“Potter, wake up.” Severus said finally shaking his shoulder, frowning at the wet cloth he was feeling. The boy was sweating profusely; this might be the reason for the trembling.

Harry groaned still locked in his mind, he was vaguely aware that someone was calling him but his fear had frozen him and he couldn’t respond.

“Potter…Harry wake up for me child. Wake up,” Severus said shaking him more firmly, hoping the slip of the name would help.

Harry looked up as Voldermort shifted back to Sirius, and his eyes widened as Uncle Vernon appeared right next to him. Could this get any worse? He shook his head at his stupidity as Voldermort reappeared next to Uncle Vernon; now all 3 of them were glaring at him. What was he going to do? He heard someone calling him and for a second he thought it might be Snape. Harry brushed that thought away; he had to have imagined it.

Severus was getting a bit worried it shouldn’t take the boy this long to wake up, and he had a thought of the Dark Lord locking the boy into his mind. That couldn’t be what was happening right?

“Harry child, I’m here. I need you to wake up for me now,” Severus said louder and shaking him even harder.

Harry heard that loud and clear and he smiled softly despite his pain and tears. Glancing once at the men in front of him, he forced himself to get up. He had no idea what he was doing, or what exactly would happen. He scooted as far away from them as he could, before opening his mouth.

“SNAPE!” He screamed loudly before the darkness finally over took him.         

   Severus felt his heart stop and then restart when he heard that chilling call from Harry. The boy had bolted from the bed, and launched himself into the man’s chest. He cradled the child carefully, rocking him instinctively as he tried to shush his cries. He didn’t know how long they sat there, him muttering nonsense and Harry crying hysterically before they finally turned to sniffles. Pulling the boy back gently, so he could look at him and see for himself if the child was ok.

“Are you alright Harry?” Severus asked softly.

“Uh huh, just a nightmare,” Harry replied hoarsely as his breath hitched in remembrance.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to tell me now,” Severus reassured him gently.

Harry nodded gratefully into the man’s chest, calming down as the scent of potions started to relax him. He tried to stay awake because he didn’t want to fall asleep again; he had no intention of wanting to revisit that horrible dream. He shook his head as his eyes started closing on their own accord; the feeling of being safe in the potions Master’s arms was just too much for his weary mind. Harry’s closed his heavy eyelids for a second, before his breathing evened out.

Severus felt the boy completely relax against him and knew that the child had fallen asleep again. He was curious to know just what the boy dreamed about but he knew that now was not the time. Taking his wand he threw a refreshing charm on the bed and on the child before gently starting to lay him down. He frowned as Harry’s hand seemed to be attached to his pajamas and not wanting to risk waking the teen up he settled himself onto the bed as well.

He had no intention of falling asleep on the bed; he just wanted to wait a few moments when he knew the boy wouldn’t wake up. Carding his hand through the soft raven locks, Severus found his own eyes closing involuntarily. He fell asleep, never releasing the protective hold he had on Harry.