The sickly, thin dog trotted back into the Infirmary. It walked past the matron's office, realizing the room was empty. The dog walked further into the Infirmary. It started shaking, changing back into its human form.

When Sirius was younger, it didn't take much effort to change to his Animagus form. But during his time in Azkaban, it slowly became more tedious. But it was the one thing that kept him sane while being around the Dementors.

After talking with the Headmaster, Sirius didn't like how Dumbledore and McGonagall treated him regarding Snivellous and Harry. Sure, he didn't call Harry by name, and he didn't stay with Harry; instead, he followed Pettigrew. Those were things that he was going to have to live with. But this blind faith the two of them had with Snape was just too much. And if they wouldn't let him see his godson, he would find the child alone.

So, Sirius changed into his dog form and escaped the Infirmary; he searched for Harry. He liked that it didn't take him long to find the boy. Not only was he not hard to find since there were so few children in the castle, but Harry looked the same as James. 

He saw Harry running up the stairs. Staying hidden, Sirius watched as the content child continued on his journey. He loved seeing that face on the child. It was better than the scared one when he first saw the boy. Not to scare Harry, Sirius followed from a safe distance. The dog didn't know where Harry was going, but from where the child was going, he speculated that Harry was going to the owlery.

While going down the extension corridor, Sirius smelled something wrong. He couldn't place what the smell was. He just knew it was bad news. As he got closer, he saw his godson shying away from someone. He didn't like the fear on Harry's face, so he decided to make his presence known. He saw his godson get away from the man, but Sirius was going after the man. Because he'd been in Azkaban for ten years, he didn't have the strength or stamina to keep up with the man and lost the scent when he reached the next corridor. Not wanting to risk being caught, Sirius headed back to the Infirmary.

Now, lying back on the cot, Sirius knew he needed to keep an eye on his godson. He had to stop whoever that man was from hurting his godson. 

_0_0_0

Harry woke up with a stretch. He didn't know where he was, but he didn't feel scared. He felt safe. He pried his eyes open, but from what Harry could see, he was not in his room. But when he curled back up into a small ball, the smell of the sheets brought safety. 

"I see you're finally awake."

Harry turned to see his safety standing in the doorway. Harry sat up but meekly replied, "Morning, Professor."

“Morning, Harry,” Severus replied, walking towards his armoire. 

Harry sat on the bed and watched Severus gather several small items he needed to start his day. Harry had a small instance of worry that he was encroaching on his Professor’s privacy, but Professor Snape didn’t seem bothered by Harry’s presence in his room. Being in here with his safety brought a sense of calm to the child. 

“If you’re done starring,” Severus said, still facing his armoire, “why don’t you go and get ready?”

“Yes, sir,” Harry said as he climbed out of the bed. 

“Wear something warm,” Severus continued. “You’ll be going to the Weasleys after breakfast.” 

Harry froze in the middle of the hallway, hearing that he was leaving his safety. He couldn’t leave Professor Snape. He knew he had agreed to go, but now, he didn’t want to leave his safety. What was he going to do? 

Harry turned back towards Severus’ room. 

“Do I have to go?”

Severus looked over at the small child standing in his doorway. Harry was twisting his shirttail around his fingers and biting his lip. Severus had hoped that since Harry readily agreed to go to the Burrow last night, there would have been no setbacks to Harry’s scare yesterday. Now, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

Severus walked over to Harry and knelt before him. “You said you wanted to go,” Severus reminded Harry. 

“But what if I can’t come back?” Harry asked, panic in his voice.

Severus slowly released Harry’s fingers from their cloth confines. “It will be just like before. You are only going for a visit. You will be there for a few hours, having fun with the Weasleys. Then you will come back home.” 

“Home,” Harry whispered. A small smile formed on his lips. 

“Yes, home,” Severus confirmed. “So, go get ready. We’ll have breakfast, and then I’ll take you over. Alright.”

“Yes, sir,” Harry said before turning and heading towards the bathroom.

_0_0_0

Christmas was always a massive affair with the Weasleys. It was even better since all the children were home. However, there seemed to be a shadow over the family, with them worrying about the small boy who had graced their home a few days before. Arthur and Molly kept the atmosphere light-hearted. 

Boxing Day was just as massive. They would spend the day playing games or conversing with each other. It was a day when they planned for what they wished to accomplish in the upcoming year. Arthur and Molly thought having this time could show their support for what their children wanted to do. They had seen Bill and Charlie working on their respective dreams. And they were anxious to see how their younger children fared.  

Bill was a savant at cracking magical barriers. He was the only trusted wizard who worked with Goblins at Gringotts. Not many witches and wizards have the trust of Goblins. Bill was also the lead investigator in breaking the old Egyptian curse of Pharaoh Seti. Many archeologists wanted to study the tombs, so Bill was sent to begin his work on bypassing the curses so it would be safe for archeologists. 

Charlie’s love for creatures and animals found him working in one of the best dragon reserves in Great Britain. Growing up, Molly and Arthur worried about their secondborn's safety. He used to spend his time with Hagrid while he was attending Hogwarts. They had nothing against Hagrid, but he did fancy wanting a lot of dangerous creatures. And Charlie’s love for the same dangerous creatures was nurtured there. Charlie was the only wizard licensed in Great Britain to handle the Norweigan Ridgeback dragon, the most dangerous breed of dragon alive. 

It was time to learn more about what the younger Weasley clan wanted to pursue and how they wanted to achieve it—Percy’s dream of working in the Ministry, the twins wanting to open their own joke shop, and Ginny’s aspirations of going professional in Quidditch. 

Ron was still on the fence about what he wanted to do. Fred and George offered to have Ron work with them, but Ron shot that down quickly. He didn’t want to be their guinea pig for their products. 

+0+0+0

Ron was sitting in his room absently rubbing Scabbers’ back when Fred and George came in. 

“What are you up to?” George asked, sitting next to Ron on his bed.

“Yeah,” Fred chimed in. “Breakfast will be ready soon. I would have thought you would be downstairs already.”

When Ron just looked at the twins and didn’t reply, the twins knew that something was truly bothering their baby brother. 

“Seriously, what’s wrong?” Fred asked, pulling a chair closer to Ron and sitting before him.

“Professor Snape is mean to Harry,” Ron blurted. “Why would Harry be with him?”

“Ron-”

“No,” Ron snapped. “We have to get Harry from him. He’s a git. Always giving Harry detention. And he’s mean to Harry during class.”

“Just stop,” George. 

Ron stopped his rant.

“Is this how a friend is supposed to act?” George asked. “Harry obviously trusts Professor Snape.”

“What’s all the yelling?” 

The three younger Weasleys turned to see Bill standing in the doorway. 

“What’s going on?” Bill asked, walking into the room.

“Harry needs to get away from Professor Snape,” Ron adamantly said. “They don’t know,” pointing at Fred and George, “how he treats Harry during class.”

“And you’ve seen all the interactions between Harry and Professor Snape?” Bill countered. “I don’t doubt that Professor Snape isn’t mean towards him in class. He’s been like that since I was going there.”

Ron huffed, rolling his eyes.

“But you didn’t see them at the Will reading,” Bill continued. “Professor Snape cares about Harry. Harry’s his godson.”

“It’s still wrong,” Ron said stubbornly. 

“Let me put it this way,” Bill said. “How do you think Harry would feel if you made him choose?”

“What do you mean?” Ron asked.

“Between you and Professor Snape,” Fred chimed in.

Ron looked between his older brothers. His resolve was waning a little.

“Professor Snape is his Godfather,” Bill said. “And right now, the only family he has in his corner. You saw how Harry acted when Professor Snape came here.”

Ron admitted he was surprised at how much Harry clung to the man.

“Boys, breakfast!” Molly’s voice could be heard coming from the stairs. 

“We’re coming,” Bill yelled back. Turning back to his baby brother. “Listen, Ron, give this a chance. You might be surprised. Now, let’s go. Professor Snape is bringing Harry over after breakfast.”

Ron set Scabbers on his bed and followed his brothers downstairs. He thought about what his brothers said, and he couldn’t discount what he saw the other day when Snape came and picked up Harry. He would give the Professor a chance. But he was going to keep his eye on the man. And he would be right there if Professor Snape did anything against Harry. 

_0_0_0

Severus and Harry stepped out of the Weasley’s fireplace. Well, Severus stepped out. Harry almost fell and would have hit the floor if Severus hadn’t held the child’s shoulder. Ron ran over to the fireplace before either of them could greet the family. 

“Heya, Harry,” Ron called out as he rushed to his friend’s side. “Come on, I want to show you my room.” 

Without waiting for Harry to respond or for the Potion’s Master to let go of Harry, Ron gripped the small boy’s arm and pulled him towards the stairs. 

Before Severus could voice his displeasure that his godson was being manhandled, Molly piped up. “Ronald Weasley, you will release Harry this instant. You know better.” Molly walked over to where Ron and Harry stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“But Harry never got to see my room,” Ron whined. 

“And he won’t see your room, and you will be up there alone if you don’t act like you have better sense than this.” Molly pulled Ron to a secluded corner and whispered, “If you don’t want to meet with my spoon, you will behave. Now, you walk yourself over to Professor Snape and apologize.”

“But, mum,” Ron whined.

“Now.”

A now red-faced Ron sulked over to his Professor, who was still standing by the fireplace with his arms crossed over his chest.

“I’m sorry, Professor Snape,” Ron mumbled, red-faced. 

Severus nodded and walked over towards Harry, who was standing by the stairs with his fingers now wrapped in his robes. He walked over to his godson and knelt in front of him. Slowly, Severus freed the child’s fingers.

“I’ll be back before dinner to pick you up,” Severus said as he stood. Pulling two phials from the inner pocket of his robes, Severus walked over to Molly and handed them to her. “Harry needs these with his lunch.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Molly promised. 

Severus turned to walk to the fireplace when a small body collided with his back. Harry’s grip around Severus’ middle wasn’t so tight that he couldn’t maneuver the boy, so they were in front of each other. Severus could hear Harry mumbling quietly against his robes.

Severus leaned down to whisper in Harry’s ear. “You will be fine. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Have fun with your friends.”

Harry lifted his head and looked up at Severus. “You promise?”

“Promise,” Severus said before releasing Harry and leaving through the floo.

___000___000___000

Albus was sitting behind his desk when Severus stepped through the floo. 

“I take it Harry’s comfortable at the Weasleys,” Albus inquired. 

“Just dropped him off,” Severus said absently, Harry’s plea still ringing in his ears. 

Albus could see how distracted his adopted son was. “What’s bothering you, Severus?”

“An incident happened with Harry last night,” Severus revealed. He continued before Albus could interrupt. “Harry never made it to the owlery. He told me Quirrell stopped him in the corridor that connected the two towers. From what I could get from Harry, nothing happened, but a dog was at the end of the corridor.”

“A dog?” Albus asked. 

Severus nodded. “Harry hid in an unused room.”

“A dog,” Albus repeated, mostly talking to himself. Changing the subject, Albus asked, “How long will young Harry be at the Weasleys?”

“I’m picking him up before dinner,” Severus said, getting up from the chair. “I will be working on the list of potions Poppy is low on.”   

Severus walked out of Albus’ chambers before the elder wizard acknowledged him.

Hearing that there was a mysterious dog in the castle did not sit well with Albus. He sent a Patronus and left his chambers.

___000___000___000 

Albus stood outside the double doors of the Infirmary. He was in deep thought when Minerva was walking towards him. 

“Albus,” Minerva said as she got closer to her friend. “What’s going on?”

“I believe it is time we both talk with Mr. Black,” Albus said, opening the doors.

Poppy was helping Sirius back into bed when Albus and Minerva walked in. 

“Good morning, Sirius, Poppy,” Albus called out when he walked into the hospital chambers. 

“Good morning, Albus and Minerva,” Poppy replied as she covered Sirius’ legs with a thin sheet before placing a pillow on his lap.

“How are you doing, my boy?” Albus asks Sirius. 

“Madam Pomfrey’s taking great care of me,” Sirius answered as Poppy placed his breakfast tray on Sirius’s pillow-covered lap.

“I’ll be back with your tray,” Poppy said to Sirius. “Please excuse me.” Poppy walked towards her office. 

“Because of the malnutrition, I have to have smaller, more frequent meals,” Sirius said by way of explanation.

“We won’t keep you long,” Albus promised. “I need some information from you.”

“Will I get my godson?” Sirius asked. 

“No,” Minerva said flatly. “Not until I am assured that you will not harm the child, you will go nowhere near Harry.”

“What must I do to prove to you that I’m not the bad guy?” Sirius begged. “I didn’t give out James and Lily’s location. I wasn’t their secret keeper.”

“Who was?” Albus asked. “Because I believed you would become the secret keeper when I set those wards.”

“Yes,” Sirius agreed. “I was supposed to, but I convinced James to use someone else. I knew I would be the logical choice. To be able to throw whoever went after James would be wasting their time questioning me.”

“Well, who did you suggest?” Minerva asked. 

“I told you. Peter,” Sirius replied. “What can I do to prove it?”

“Peter Pettigrew is dead,” Albus said. “You killed him.”

“He’s not dead,” Sirius pleaded. “I never used my wand. I actually didn’t have it. I dropped it next to James’ body.”

“So,” Albus started. “You want us to believe you weren’t the Potters’ secret keeper. That Peter Pettigrew is, in fact, alive. And you’re not a double agent: a Death Eater.”

Sirius ripped the sleeve of his left arm, revealing pale skin, tipping his tray almost spilling its content. “I have no mark on me. Can Snivelous say the same? That who you should ask,” Sirius growled. “He’s the double agent! He’s who you have taking care of MY godson!”

A gasp sounded throughout the Infirmary. The air seemed to crackle. There was a blast of light that encompassed the bed Sirius was on. The light seemed to melt away, revealing a shield surrounding Sirius’ bed, protecting him from the curse that was cast. 

Sirius didn’t know what happened. At first, he was angry that the Headmaster believed he could be a Death Eater, but he couldn’t see or hear from a haze surrounding him. Once the haze cleared, he saw Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall talking to the Headmaster but couldn’t hear them.

“Albus, you have to calm down,” Minerva pleaded. 

“I will not allow–” Albus whispered.

“I understand, Albus,” Poppy said, cutting the Headmaster off. “But you cannot attack a patient under my care. No matter how ignorant he is.”

“Release him,” Minerva said. “I’ll talk for now while you calm down.”

Sirius saw the Headmaster wave his hand, and he could hear. He didn’t know what the Headmaster did, but he wasn’t stupid enough to doubt how powerful Albus was. Sirius heard rumors about Albus Dumbledore's power, but to see the level of power firsthand is a different feeling altogether. 

Albus stood and left the Infirmary without saying a word.

“Mr. Black,” Minerva said, bringing Sirius out of his musings. “I believe you were warned about how you talk about Severus.”

Sirius, this time, kept his mouth shut.

“You want us to believe you?” Minerva continued. “Then you must grow up. We’ve heard you throw that name around. It will stop. Especially since Severus is the only one capable of proving if you’re telling the truth.”

_0_0_0

The two boys were in Ron’s room. After Professor Snape left, Ron pulled Harry upstairs to his room. Harry looked around at the different kinds of posters lining the walls.  

“You like Professor Snape?” Ron asked.

“Yeah,” Harry said, turning to face his friend. “He’s my godfather.”

“Dungeon bat as a godfather,” Ron mused. He was sitting on his bed, petting Scabbers, his rat. 

“I know he seems mean,” Harry said, walking over to his friend. “But he’s not to me. Professor Snape is my Godfather. And I like being with him. He’s my safety.”

“He tried to curse your broom,” Ron said.

“That wasn’t him,” Harry replied. “He kept me on my broom.”

“How do you know?” Ron asked. 

“I asked him,” Harry said. 

“He could be lying,” Ron argued back. “Me and Hermione saw him.”

“Professor Snape wouldn’t lie to me,” Harry said adamantly. “Professor Snape always helped me. Even with the troll.”

Ron didn’t know how to respond to that. He didn’t know about the troll. He didn’t want to upset his best friend, but he had to get Harry to see that Professor Snape wasn’t the best person.

“Does this mean you don’t want to be friends anymore?” Harry asked sadly after a moment of silence between the two boys. 

That statement shocked Ron. He didn’t want his friendship with Harry to be ruined. He loved being with Harry. Harry was the first friend he met on the train. What would it hurt anyone if Harry liked being with the Professor? And was it worth the cost of his friendship? 

“Oi, Ron!”

“Harry!”

The twin’s voices were coming from the stairway. Harry approached the doorway and saw Fred and George climbing the stairs. 

“Fancy a game of Quidditch, Harry?” George asked.

“Yes,” Harry nodded, a small smile on his face.

Harry looked back at Ron, who was still sitting on his bed, and wondered if this meant it was the end. He didn’t want this to stop. Mrs. Weasley gave the best hugs. When he did come the last time, he enjoyed flying with Charlie and Ginny. It proved that being a Freak meant he couldn’t have good things happen to him. Maybe he shouldn’t have his safety as well. Maybe it would be best if he didn’t ruin everything for everybody.

Fred pulled Harry out of his thoughts when he put his arm around Harry’s shoulder. “Come on,” Fred said, smiling. “We’ll get to have a real game. And you’ll be on my team.”

Harry allowed himself to be taken back downstairs. 

_0_0_0

Severus was finishing up on the last potions for Poppy when the laboratory door opened.

“Yes, Albus,” Severus said without stopping what he was doing.

“Am I that predictable?” Albus mused as he walked over to the working table.

“I knew it was inevitable; you coming down here,” Severus replied, putting the last ingredient in the cauldron. “I informed you where I would be, and I knew you or that cat wouldn’t stay away.” 

Albus chuckled. 

“Yes, well,” Albus said. “Your expertise is being required.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Severus said, facing his adopted father. The potions were finished. It just needed cooling before it could be separated into different phials. “What’s going on?” 

“Sirius Black claimed to Minerva and me that he was not the Potters’ secret keeper,” Albus said. 

Severus raised his brow skeptically. 

“You can easily find that out yourself, old man,” Severus said, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the table.

“Yes, well,” Albus shrugged. “It would be safer for Sirius if you used Legilimency.”

“What makes you assume I want to?” Severus asked. “You’re much better at it than me.”

The last thing Severus wanted was to see Black, much less look into that man’s mind. 

“I know you have your reservations,” Albus said. 

“More than reservations,” Severus countered. “I don’t want to be in the same room with the man.”

“Severus, please,” Albus sighed. He hated asking his adopted son to do this, but his anger towards Sirius for his lack of respect for Severus clouded his judgment. And he knew he would do more harm than good if he performed Legilimency. 

“I wouldn’t push this if it weren’t important. And this is the best time, being Harry’s out of the castle.”

Severus couldn’t argue with that logic, and he couldn’t help but want to satisfy his morbid curiosity about what else happened that night. 

+0+0+0

“I can see that you want us to believe you,” Minerva said. “And deep down, I want to be wrong about what I believed happened that night. But you have to prove it to me.”

“What is it? What can I do to prove to you that I didn’t betray James?” 

Before Minerva could reply, the Infirmary doors opened, and Albus and Severus walked in. Minerva gave Severus and Albus a warm smile before turning back to Sirius.

“Severus will perform Legilimency on you,” Minerva said. “You will allow it without complaint,” she quickly amended when it looked like Sirius would complain.

“I don’t want that Death Eater scum anywhere near me,” Sirius griped. 

Minerva lowered her head in her hand. Before she could respond to Black, Severus spoke up.

“This Death Eater is the only thing keeping you from having anyone believe you,” Severus growled. “You are alone. You don’t have Potter and Lupin to back you anymore. And it doesn’t matter if you’re Harry’s Godfather or not; you will not have any contact with the child. And he’ll never know about you if I can help it.”

“You will not keep my godson away from me,” Sirius growled.

“Try me,” Severus challenged, smirking. 

The atmosphere was charged in the Infirmary. Small chimes were coming from the phials of potions on the side table.

_0_0_0

Harry wanted to tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley that he was a freak and didn’t deserve to ruin their time, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say anything. 

When Fred brought him downstairs, he was whisked away so fast he didn’t have time to talk to Mrs. Weasley. When he got outside, he saw that everyone but Ron was waiting by the makeshift Quidditch field. It hurt his heart that he might lose his first friend.

Harry played with the others for a while. Ron finally showed up. At first, Harry was worried that things truly did change between the two of them, but Ron didn’t act any different than he did before. Harry hoped that meant everything was alright. But in the back of his mind, he knew the truth. He was a Freak and would always be a Freak. 

+0+0+0

Molly stepped outside the front door and yelled, “Time to come in. Lunchtime.” 

Fred and George wrapped their arms around Harry’s shoulders when they landed, leaving their brooms on the ground and walking towards the house. 

“Go get cleaned up,” Molly said when the group of children reached the door. 

The twins ensured that Harry was the first to get cleaned and, once again, escorted the small child to the table.

Harry didn’t know why the twins were sticking around him. He was sure they knew he was a Freak and that he didn’t need to fret over. 

When he reached the kitchen, he was once again surprised at how much food was laid out. When they ate at Hogwarts, Harry knew that Ron could eat a lot of food, but the idea of having this amount just boggled Harry’s mind. Harry saw everyone sitting around the table. He looked around to see if there was anything that he could do. 

“Harry.” Molly’s voice broke through Harry’s musings. 

“Do you need me to clean up?” Harry asked.

Molly’s heart hurt, hearing the small child’s question, but she didn’t want to dwell on it. She wanted Harry to eat. She pulled out the two potions that Severus left behind and handed them to the small child. 

She kissed Harry’s forehead and said, “Go sit down and eat. My boys love to fill their plates, as I’m sure you know.”

Harry was surprised by the kiss. He was a Freak. Freaks didn’t get kissed. 

“Harry,” Bill called out. “Come sit.” He pulled out the chair next to him. 

Still dumbfounded by the kiss he received, Harry walked over to the table and sat down. 

Charlie sat on the other side and began filling Harry’s plate. “Take your potions and eat. I’m sure you worked up an appetite flying around outside.”

“Yeah,” Harry agreed, nodding numbly. 

“Plus,” Charlie leaned towards Harry, whispering, “I want a rematch.” 

That brought Harry to awareness. He looked up at Charlie. 

“I have to defend my title,” Charlie said, winking at Harry. 

Harry couldn’t help smiling up at Charlie. He took his potions and began eating what was on his plate. 

Bill and Charlie looked at each other over Harry’s head. Bill gave his brother a small nod. They were determined to make Harry feel like family. They didn’t want to hear Harry’s desponded pleas anymore. No child should be afraid of asking for food. 

Molly stood back and listened to the interaction between Harry and her oldest boys. Seeing her sons preoccupy Harry so that he didn’t slip into another panic attack made her so proud of her sons. 

TBC