Upon stepping through the floo into Albus's office, Don heaved a small sigh. He knew he should have consulted his Healer before embarking on this journey to the Ministry, but time had run out, and he loathed making Albus wait. Perhaps that was merely an excuse.
Brushing aside those thoughts, he greeted Albus with a warm smile as he materialized before him. Noticing the ash smudges on his robes, he quickly brushed them off. Once his robes were clean, he caught sight of the concerned expression on Albus's face.
"What is it, Albus?"
Albus regarded the Healer with a worried gaze. "Will you be able to visit the Ministry without losing your temper? I've only seen that look on your face once before, and that was when I had to restrain you from hexing Severus's father into oblivion."
Don inhaled deeply and nodded. "I'll be fine, Albus, as long as you hold onto my wand and those...people remain behind bars."
Gradually, Albus nodded. "Alright, Don. The Minister wishes to speak with us before our visit, so we can gather all the necessary details to properly charge them."
With a solemn nod, Don extended his wand towards Albus's outstretched hand. As Albus took the wand, he tenderly grasped Don's hand for a moment, offering a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
"I'll leave your wand here, securely locked away, ensuring its safety while we're gone. Is that acceptable to you?"
As Albus withdrew his hand, Don nodded. "Thank you, Albus."
Nodding in return, Albus moved behind his desk, opened a drawer, and carefully placed the Healer's wand inside. He closed the drawer, locking it with a key and a simple warding spell that would prevent anyone but him or Don from opening it. Once finished, Albus looked up at Don and smiled.
"Safe and sound. Now, let's make our way to the Ministry and resolve this matter."
Don nodded eagerly, picking up some floo powder as Albus approached the fireplace, prepared to follow the Healer. In the next instant, Don vanished, and Albus tossed some green powder in before stepping through as well.
Upon arriving at the Ministry, Albus spotted the Healer several steps ahead, dusting ash off his robes. Smiling at Don's penchant for cleanliness, Albus began to brush himself off too. Once he was finished, he approached the Healer, placing a hand on his shoulder. Seeing Don look up, he offered a smile and a nod.
Don reciprocated the nod, and they both strode towards the Minister's office. Throughout their journey, Albus couldn't help but cast worried glances at Don. However, each time he looked, Don seemed calm and composed. Albus knew deep down that Don could handle himself, but his concern persisted. It seemed that lately, all he did was worry about those around him.
Nearly at the Minister's office, Don caught another concerned glance from Albus and sighed. He halted and turned to face him.
"Albus, please stop worrying about me. You have my wand, and I will speak with someone tonight. There's no need to be concerned."
With a small sigh, the old man nodded. "I apologize, Don. I suppose it's just an old man's habit."
Offering a small smile, Don nodded. "It's alright, Albus. I understand how difficult it is not to worry when you're constantly concerned for those you love."
Albus offered a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Once again, you've managed to decipher my thoughts, Don. I must admit, it's rather impressive, if not a tad unnerving."
With a sly grin, Don let out a robust laugh. "Well then, let's not dawdle any longer. We have matters to attend to."
At Albus's agreement, the pair proceeded towards their appointment with Minister Bones. Upon reaching her door, Don rapped softly, and they entered promptly upon hearing her invitation.
As Minister Bones raised her gaze from her desk, her face brightened with recognition. She gestured towards the two chairs in front of her, offering a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
"Healer Patterson, Headmaster."
As Don took his seat, he offered the Minister a friendly smile. "You and I go way back, Minister; surely, you can just call me Don."
"And do call me Albus," chimed in the headmaster.
The witch nodded, her own smile emerging. "Very well, but only if you both agree to call me by my first name. Now, onto the matter at hand. The Dursleys are currently detained in a holding cell, awaiting their trial. I need to know the specific charges we should bring against them. I'm handling this case personally, and my goal is to resolve it swiftly and discreetly. The last thing we want is a Daily Prophet headline, which I'm certain Harry would prefer to avoid as well."
Don nodded in agreement. "What information do you need?"
"Well, it was evident that Harry had suffered injuries and malnourishment when he arrived under your care. I need to know the full extent of the harm he endured, along with the specifics of his ordeal."
The Healer nodded, producing several vials from his pocket and placing them on the desk. "Severus and I have extracted our memories of Harry's injuries, which should provide a comprehensive account of the physical and mental trauma he faced. However, I cannot divulge any confidences Harry shared with me unless he consents, and I'm hesitant to ask him. The poor boy has been through enough already, and we don't want him to fear that his thoughts will be exposed to the world. We need him to trust the adults in his life."
Minister Bones nodded solemnly. "I understand. These memories should suffice for charging the Dursleys. I assume both can be accused of neglect and endangerment of a child, while Vernon Dursley alone can be charged with child abuse?"
Both Don and Albus nodded in agreement, but Don added, "Actually, both of them can be charged with child abuse. Harry's aunt burned his hands on a stove and forced him to drink bleach on multiple occasions."
Visibly stunned, Minister Bones covered her mouth, her eyes closing momentarily as she took deep breaths to regain her composure. Once collected, she cast a sorrowful glance towards the two men. "Do the memories include any of that?"
Don shook his head gently, extracting a stack of documents from another pocket in his robes. "Not in the memories, but these papers contain a thorough account of Harry's medical history."
The witch nodded, accepting the papers and perusing them intently. Her frown deepened with each sentence, until her mouth was a taut, thin line. Setting down the documents, the Minister sighed, casting a melancholy gaze at the two men.
"How is Harry faring?"
Don exhaled slowly. "He's improving, but his journey to full recovery will be lengthy. With Severus's love and support, I believe Harry will blossom into a remarkable young man."
Minister Bones nodded thoughtfully. "Would you like to visit the Dursleys?"
Don agreed, but then inquired, "First, may I ask about Dudley Dursley, their son?"
"Yesterday, upon apprehending his parents, we removed Dudley from their home and placed him in a specialized foster care program to address his issues. Due to his alarming weight, he faces significant health risks. Moreover, his upbringing has left him resistant to authority figures. However, we remain hopeful that his youth will enable him to adapt and learn boundaries."
Both Albus and Don nodded, with Albus posing another question. "Was the boy placed with a Muggle or wizarding family?"
"He's living with squibs. As he's already aware of the magical world and has absorbed his parents' prejudices, we thought it best to place him with individuals straddling both realms. Otherwise, Dudley might harbor even greater resentment towards the magical world, which could potentially lead to a vengeful witch hunter. Nobody would benefit from that."
Albus nodded in agreement. "If I can be of any assistance to the young man, please let me know. Perhaps I could even arrange a special excursion to showcase the wonders of our magical world."
The Minister nodded. "I'll consult his Healer and foster parents and keep you informed. As for visiting the Dursleys, I must confiscate your wands to prevent any potential harm and cannot leave you unattended with them. A guard must be present at all times, and I would prefer to be there as well."
Both men nodded their understanding. "I left my wand at Hogwarts in Albus's office. I simply wish to exchange a few words with those... individuals."
Minister Bones then turned to Albus. "I apologize, Albus, but I must request your wand as well. Should the Dursleys sustain any injuries, the guards will be held accountable, and I doubt you want them in trouble. Technically, I shouldn't even escort you down there, but I'm making an exception in this case."
Albus dutifully handed over his wand. "I appreciate your understanding, Amelia."
Taking the wand, the witch placed it securely in a large desk drawer, applying a discreet ward to prevent unauthorized access. Once satisfied, she rose from her chair and strode towards the door, ensuring the two men followed. Upon opening the door, she led the way towards the Dursleys' holding cells.
After navigating three corridors and descending two floors, the trio arrived at the cells. Minister Bones halted Don and Albus before they could approach the Dursleys.
"Allow the guard to prepare them first."
The Minister gestured to the guard beside her, who nodded and went to check on the Dursleys. The two men understood the procedure, and when the guard returned and signaled to the Minister, they proceeded forward. The Minister and the guard trailed closely behind them.
Upon reaching the cell, they paused to observe the incarcerated couple. Vernon Dursley appeared disheveled, his face a furious purple hue, while Petunia, as thin as a rail, seemed on the verge of fuming. It was evident that the ensuing conversation would be anything but pleasant.
Before either wizard could speak, Vernon Dursley unleashed a torrent of anger at Dumbledore. Don couldn't help but notice the irony that everyone around him had been concerned about him harming the Dursleys, when in reality, if Vernon possessed any magical abilities, he might have caused an explosion.
"Why the hell did you freaks lock us up?"
Unruffled, Albus regarded the man with a sad shake of his head. "You were informed of the reasons by the Aurors who apprehended you. It's illegal not to disclose that information."
Vernon snorted indignantly. "Yeah, they said it was because we gave the freak what he deserved, but we were just teaching him a lesson. We didn't do anything wrong. Now let us out!"
Don closed his eyes momentarily, taking a deep breath to maintain his composure. "Mr. Dursley, you abused your nephew. You. Hurt. Him."
The man behind bars merely scoffed. "So what, he always healed himself with his freaky-deaky powers. It's not like anything actually hurt him."
Taking another breath, Don said, "Mr. Dursley, you're fortunate I don't have a wand with me. I don't believe violence solves violence, but I'm uncertain if I could restrain myself in your presence. You're a despicable human being. Adults are supposed to care for and protect children, not cause them harm."
Vernon's face darkened further, and he hurled obscenities too vile for anyone's ears. The guard quickly cast a silencing spell on him, earning grateful glances from both wizards. Undeterred, Vernon continued his tirade, unheard.
Albus then turned his attention to Petunia. "Petunia, how could you mistreat your own flesh and blood? He's your sister's child."
Petunia scowled at the Headmaster. "You left him on our doorstep like trash, so we treated him as such. Blood doesn't dictate our feelings. He was a burden on my household, consuming our food and wearing my Dudley's clothes. Where is my Dudley? What have you freaks done with my precious baby?"
Albus sighed regretfully. "You could have contacted me at any time to inform me that you didn't wish to care for your nephew. I would have found him a loving home, as I mentioned in the letter I left for you. But I assume the monthly funds dissuaded you from doing so. I'm disappointed in you, Petunia. What would Lily think if she knew how you treated her son? If she had been tasked with raising Dudley, she would have treated him as her own."
Petunia's face turned a deep shade of red, her complexion flushed with anger. "I. Don't. Care. What. That. Woman. Thinks. Of. Me. She brought her own death upon herself, and this is all her fault. Now tell me what you did to my Dudykins, you freaks!"
Albus appeared to struggle with maintaining his composure, so Don took the lead. "Indeed, Petunia, it's clearly your sister's fault for being murdered by a madman. Did you know she fought until her last breath to protect her son, saving his life? Her love for him was so powerful that even the killing curse couldn't shatter it. As for your son, he's in the caring hands of his foster parents."
"Where is he? Did you stick him with freaks? My poor Duddy Wuddy!"
Don sighed with exasperation. "He's with squibs. Regrettably for you, your son will always be connected to the magical world, given his cousin's identity. We hope he can overcome the hatred you instilled in him and begin to heal."
Petunia's face reddened even further as she launched into a furious scream, much like her husband. The guard casually silenced her as well and gestured for the visitors to leave. With nothing left to discuss, Albus and Don joined the Minister and guard, having endured all they could bear from the Dursleys.
The Minister placed a comforting hand on Don's shoulder as soon as they were near. "Would you like to come to my office to relax before heading home?"
Albus nodded in agreement. "Yes, Amelia, that's an excellent idea. Perhaps we could have some tea?"
The Minister smiled. "I can arrange that. Let's get out of here."
She gently led Don out of the holding cell area, Albus on her other side. The trio quickly and quietly made their way to Minister Bones' office.
Upon arrival, Amelia directed them to sit and ordered a tray of tea. Once served, she sat beside them, forgoing her usual spot behind her desk. Formality was unnecessary at the moment. She remembered Albus's wand and gracefully retrieved it from her desk drawer, handing it back to him as she resumed her seat.
Crossing her legs, she turned to Don with a small smile. "I forgot to ask if you'll be testifying at the trial."
Don nodded slowly. "I will. I don't want them to escape the consequences of their actions. They showed no remorse for what they did to that poor child!"
Albus placed a hand on Don's shoulder. "I know, but getting upset won't help or change anything. How many times have you told that to Severus?"
Don sighed and took a few deep breaths. "I'm okay, Albus. I must admit, I found Vernon's silent tirade almost amusing, despite the disturbing nature of his words."
A smile crossed Albus's face. "I felt the same. If his words hadn't been so abhorrent, I might have laughed."
Shifting his focus to the Minister, Albus asked, "Is there anything else we need to discuss, or can we head home?"
"Actually, Don, I wanted to ask about the doctor you mentioned in your report. What happened to him? Should we press charges?"
Don shook his head sadly. "Muggle law enforcement is handling it. They already have a substantial file on him, and Harry's case sealed his fate."
The Minister sighed and nodded. "That's one less thing to worry about. I'll visit the precinct to ensure everything is in order. I don't want him escaping to harm more children."
Albus and Don stood with the Minister. "You two should head home now. It's been a long day."
Don nodded. "It was good to see you again, Amelia. I hope our next conversation is under better circumstances."
The Minister tenderly grasped Don's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I hope so too. Have a good night's rest tonight. It's evident to anyone who knows you that you haven't been sleeping well."
"I will."
She then took Albus's hand, offering the same comforting gesture. "I'll see you tomorrow. Please refrain from getting into too much trouble until then."
Albus returned the gentle squeeze and, with a mischievous grin, responded, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Of course, Albus," Minister Bones replied with a knowing smile, shaking her head.
With that, the two bid farewell and made their way to the door, then down the hall to the Floo network to return to Hogwarts and retrieve Don's wand. After exchanging a few more goodbyes, Don hurriedly Flooed back to the Clinic, eager to check on his patients.
Meanwhile, Severus was enduring a challenging night. Don had granted Pamela access to the wards so that she could tend to Harry if he experienced a nightmare in Don's absence. When the inevitable nightmare struck, Pamela was woefully unprepared for its severity. She could never have imagined that a child's nightmare could be so intense.
The traumatized child had only one nightmare, but it caused him to scream out in his sleep. Pamela had rushed to his side as soon as she heard the alarm bells in her ear, sprinting through the silencing shield that Don had erected to keep Severus asleep. When she tried to pick up the boy and place him in her lap to wake and comfort him, Harry only screamed louder, wriggled free of her grasp, and wet himself while still asleep. After several unsuccessful attempts to rouse the child, she resorted to waking Severus. Don had mentioned that the man possessed a unique ability to calm the child when others could not, and Pamela desperately needed that assistance; if they didn't wake Harry soon, he might scream his throat raw.
When Pamela gently touched Severus's shoulder, the slightest contact was enough to awaken him. Sensing that something was amiss, he quickly scanned the room and, upon noticing the silently screaming child, bolted upright and rushed to Harry's side, brushing past Pamela.
As he strode toward the bed, he snapped at her, "Why on earth didn't you wake me sooner, and why is there a silencing spell on his bed?"
Severus had already seated himself on Harry's bed and drawn the small child onto his lap before receiving an answer, which he promptly ignored. As soon as Harry felt Severus's familiar, calloused hands, he began to calm down. Gently, Severus attempted to rouse the boy from his nightmare, only to be met with soft whimpers and a few barely audible words.
"Daddy...I'm...I'm sorry."
Severus hesitated for a moment before adjusting Harry's position so that the child's head rested on his shoulder. "Yes, child, I'm here, and there's no need to apologize. Wake up now; you're just dreaming."
Harry's eyes opened slowly, revealing that he was still in a semi-conscious state. As Severus embraced him more tightly, the boy gradually became more alert and immediately noticed his wet pants. Mortified and ashamed, Harry buried his face in Severus's robes and began to sob.
"I'm so sorry, Daddy!"
Tenderly, Severus rubbed the boy's back. "Shhhh, it's okay, Harry. You're going to be alright."
Harry vehemently shook his head against Severus's chest. "I'm...I'm so sorry!"
Severus gently placed a hand on the boy's cheek, stopping him from shaking his head. "What are you sorry for, Harry?"
His only response was a tearful shake of the head. Sighing, Severus held the boy even closer, allowing him to cry himself out, as he was too distraught to do anything else. Simultaneously, Severus's heart ached for the small, weeping child and fluttered with emotion at being called "Daddy."
With a calm demeanor, Severus reached over to the bedside table and picked up a mild calming potion. He quickly uncorked it and tenderly pulled Harry's face away from his shoulder. Although mild, the potion would prevent the child from becoming inconsolable.
"Can you drink this for me, Harry? It will help you feel better."
With a trembling hand, Harry reached for the vial, bringing it closer to his mouth to gulp down its contents. He would do anything to make the nightmare disappear. All the while, Severus kept his steady hand on the potion to prevent any spills. Once Harry had finished the entire vial, Severus placed it back on the table as the boy once again buried his face in Severus's robes. Feeling the tears continue to flow, Severus wrapped his arms around the child and gently rocked him.
"You're okay, Harry. Everything will be just fine."
It took several minutes for Harry to fully calm down, and when he did, he allowed the potion to work its magic, too exhausted to resist any longer. As the child's cries subsided, Severus pulled Harry back slightly and tucked the boy's stubborn hair behind his ear.
"Why don't we get ourselves cleaned up, and then we can discuss your nightmare a bit more? Alright?"
Harry hesitantly nodded, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Do...do we have to talk about it, though?"
Severus sighed as he gazed down at the boy still nestled in his arms. "No, Harry, we don't. But it might help you feel better if you share your thoughts."
"Can I wait until morning?"
Severus tenderly ran his fingers through Harry's hair, offering a reassuring nod. "You can, but remember that the sooner you talk about it, the sooner you'll start to heal and feel better."
Harry nodded slowly, his thoughts drifting back to what he had said earlier while half-asleep. In his dream, he had been standing in a vast field, his parents looming before him. They had pointed their wands at him, accusing him of causing their deaths and claiming that it was his fault Voldemort had come to their house in the first place. In the dream, when Snape had picked him up, it was actually his real father who had hoisted him onto his shoulder, carrying him roughly toward a cliff to throw him off. Desperate, he had pleaded with his "daddy," apologizing profusely. Now, he realized that he had spoken aloud, and Severus had heard him. Half-asleep, he had called Severus "daddy" once more.
In his thoughts, he had been referring to Severus as "daddy" ever since the man had taken guardianship of him, but he had never dared to say it out loud. He still felt uneasy even using Severus's first name in conversation. In his mind, it was safe to use that special word, pretending they were father and son, sharing a perfect happiness together. However, in reality, he was afraid of how Severus might react to such a display of emotion. Despite trusting Severus, he couldn't help but worry about certain things.
"I'm really sorry about...what I called yo..."
Before Harry could complete his sentence, Severus gently placed a finger on his mouth, silencing him. "It's okay, Harry. You don't need to apologize to me. Now, you're wet, and I don't want you to catch a chill. Let's get you into a warm shower and changed. We can talk more later."
Harry nodded again, this time making an effort to get up from Severus's lap. The man assisted him, then guided him toward the bathroom.
"I'll bring in some fresh pajamas in a minute after I change and take care of your bed."
Harry quietly closed the bathroom door behind him, and Severus let out a small sigh, resting his head in his hands without leaving the bed yet. As he lifted his head, he saw Pam approaching to sit beside him.
"Are you alright, Severus?"
Severus half-heartedly shrugged off the hand Pam had placed on his shoulder, giving her a silent cue. Understanding his need for space, she withdrew her hand. It was clear that he didn't want to be touched at the moment.
"Do you want me to call Don from the Ministry, Severus? I can if you need me to."
Severus shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. I just need a few moments to collect my thoughts."
Pam nodded slowly. "Alright, Severus. Would you like to share what's on your mind, though? I know that sometimes voicing your thoughts can be helpful."
Severus sighed inwardly. "He called me 'daddy.' Do I truly deserve that title? Am I taking James's place? I don't want to do that, even though I despised the man. I just... I don't know..."
"Severus, look at me and try to relax. Harry lost his parents before he could genuinely remember them. Him calling you 'daddy' isn't an attempt to replace them; rather, it's an acknowledgment of the role you've come to play in his life. In a relatively short time, Harry has started to view you as a father figure, and even if he isn't consciously aware of it, he loves you. He only calmed down due to your touch and your words."
Severus buried his face in his hands again. "But can I truly care for him properly? Am I cut out for this? I'm not a gentle man. I yell at people and scowl when someone does something that even slightly displeases me."
Pamela smiled and placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder, which wasn't shrugged off this time. "Severus, every action you've taken shows how much you deeply care for this boy. I believe you'll provide the best care possible for him. Now, come on and get changed before Harry comes out of the shower. I'll take care of the sheets."
"Do you want me to call Don from the Ministry, Severus? I can if you need me to."
Severus shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. I just need a few moments to collect my thoughts."
Pam nodded slowly. "Alright, Severus. Would you like to share what's on your mind, though? I know that sometimes voicing your thoughts can be helpful."
Severus sighed inwardly. "He called me 'daddy.' Do I truly deserve that title? Am I taking James's place? I don't want to do that, even though I despised the man. I just... I don't know..."
"Severus, look at me and try to relax. Harry lost his parents before he could genuinely remember them. Him calling you 'daddy' isn't an attempt to replace them; rather, it's an acknowledgment of the role you've come to play in his life. In a relatively short time, Harry has started to view you as a father figure, and even if he isn't consciously aware of it, he loves you. He only calmed down due to your touch and your words."
Severus buried his face in his hands again. "But can I truly care for him properly? Am I cut out for this? I'm not a gentle man. I yell at people and scowl when someone does something that even slightly displeases me."
Pamela smiled and placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder, which wasn't shrugged off this time. "Severus, every action you've taken shows how much you deeply care for this boy. I believe you'll provide the best care possible for him. Now, come on and get changed before Harry comes out of the shower. I'll take care of the sheets."
Severus sighed and lingered for another moment before finally rising from Harry's bed. Pamela followed suit, standing up shortly after he did. She waved her wand, and the sheets vanished from the bed, leaving behind only the plastic cover sheet and mattress. They had anticipated that Harry might wet himself in his sleep. Pamela then summoned a house elf and requested clean sheets, while Severus drew the privacy curtain around his bed to change into his spare pajamas.
Moments later, Severus emerged from behind the curtain and headed towards the bathroom door, carrying Harry's extra nightclothes. He knocked softly on the door and entered when he heard Harry's quiet confirmation that it was okay to come in. As he opened the door, he was relieved to see the shadow behind the shower curtain, indicating that Harry was washing diligently. Ever since that first night, Severus had harbored a fear that Harry might slip and hurt himself in the bathtub. Upon entering the room, he placed the clothes on the sink and approached the shower so Harry could hear him better over the sound of the water.
"Harry, I've left your clothes on the sink. Do you need anything else?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
"Alright, Harry. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Okay, sir."
Severus let out a quiet, internal sigh. He genuinely wished that the boy would at least call him by his first name, Severus. With that thought, he stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He immediately noticed Pamela making the bed by hand and approached to assist her.
As he walked over to the other side of the bed, Pamela smiled at him in appreciation. "Thank you, Severus. I didn't want to bother the house elves too much this late at night. They need their rest more than we do, given all the work they accomplish in a single day."
Severus merely nodded and helped Pamela pull the last blanket up to the top of the bed. Once finished, he cleared his throat.
"Thank you for all your help tonight, Pamela. I think I can handle things from here. However, if you could please inform Don of what happened when he returns from the Ministry, I would be grateful."
The Healer nodded slowly. "How are you feeling, though, Severus? Are you still unwell?"
"I feel fine. The sleep and potions did their work, and I am perfectly well, aside from being a little tired."
"Alright then. But if you get yourself sick again, I won't take the blame for it, and I'll leave you to face the wrath of Don all by yourself."
Severus released a small sigh. "I understand."
Pamela nodded and quietly left the room, leaving Severus to sit on his bed. A moment later, Harry emerged from the bathroom, shuffling his feet nervously. Sighing slightly, Severus patted the spot on the bed next to him.
"Come over here, Harry, and we'll have a little talk."
Harry hesitated before coming over and sitting next to his professor. He appeared uncomfortable, so Severus placed a hand on the boy's knee to try to calm him.
"Look at me, Harry."
As Harry looked up, Severus continued. "Talk to me, Harry. What's troubling you?"
"Do...do I really have to talk about it?"
Severus furrowed his brow, concerned by Harry's reluctance. It must be something significant for Harry to act this way. He had been open about everything up until now, and this sudden silence was disconcerting. Severus decided to push a bit more, and if Harry still refused to talk, he would reluctantly let it go for now. Perhaps Harry could only express this in his journal, but Severus truly hoped that wouldn't be the case. He hated seeing the boy so distressed.
"No, Harry, you don't have to tell me anything. However, talking about it might help you feel better. Keeping hurt and fear bottled up inside can fester and transform into a more profound pain that eats away at you."
Harry hesitated before leaning into Severus's side. Caught off guard, Severus quickly adjusted, placing a comforting arm around the boy's shoulders and gently stroking his hair.
"My...my nightmare was...about my parents..."
As Harry recounted his nightmare, Severus maintained a steady, comforting hold on him. When Harry broke down in tears after apologizing for calling him 'daddy,' Severus tenderly pulled the child into his lap and embraced him.
"Listen to me, Harry. You are not to blame for your parents' deaths, and I assure you they don't blame you one bit. Yes, they died protecting you, but that was their choice, not yours. They loved you dearly and wanted nothing more than for you to be happy. I can say that with certainty."
Harry continued to sob into Severus's robes, but he looked up at the man for a moment, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. Encouraged by that sliver of hope, Severus tried to continue as gently as possible.
"Let me share something with you, Harry, something I didn't believe until tonight. The night I healed your wounds, your mother visited me. She appeared as a ghost and shared many things with me. One thing she said was, 'Tell him that James and I love him and that he needs to stop blaming himself for our deaths.' So please, Harry, stop blaming yourself for something beyond your control. Your parents were targets of the Dark Lord before you were even born, and even if you hadn't been there, they still would have met the same fate."
Tears welled up in Harry's eyes as he looked up at Severus. "Mum... Mum said that?"
"Yes, Harry. Neither of them blames you, and they want you to stop blaming yourself."
With that, Harry wrapped his arms around Severus in a hug, and the man carefully returned the embrace. As gently as he could, Severus tried to continue the conversation.
"Regarding your calling me 'daddy,' Harry, we should discuss that further."
The child in his arms tensed up at the mention of the word, but Severus pressed on. He couldn't prolong this conversation more than necessary.
"I'm deeply touched that you did, Harry. In private, if you wish to continue calling me that, I wouldn't mind. In fact, I planned to talk to you about this tomorrow, but we can address it now. I want to adopt you, Harry. If you prefer, I can remain only your guardian, but I've come to love you as a son and wish to take that final step if you agree. I don't want to replace your father, but I'd like to be there for you where he cannot."
Gently, Severus allowed the boy to pull back from the hug and look into his eyes. Seeing the tear tracks, he silently conjured a warm washcloth and began to dab away the remnants of Harry's recent cry, using the action to hide his own nervousness. He had just bared his heart to this child and desperately hoped he wouldn't regret it.
"I... I... I..."
Slowly, Severus removed the washcloth from the child's face. "Yes, Harry?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry gave a small nod, which Severus assumed was due to the overwhelming emotions coursing through the boy. Emotions got the better of both of them as Severus saw fresh tears well up in Harry's eyes, and to his own surprise, a few began to form in his as well.
"Is that a yes, Harry? Would you like to be my son?"
Once again, Harry nodded, then threw himself back into Severus's embrace. Clutching the boy tightly, Severus let his own tears flow, elated that Harry had said yes. He would be a father to the child he had grown so deeply attached to. This very moment might be the most significant of his life.
They remained like that for a while, simply holding one another. When Severus felt Harry's grip relax, he gently pulled back to see the boy's face and smiled upon realizing that Harry had fallen asleep. Carefully, he positioned Harry on the bed and lay down beside him, deciding that his new son could share his bed tonight. As he pulled up the covers, Harry curled in even closer.
Severus silently summoned Harry's small stuffed cat that had been left on his bed and gently tucked it into the boy's arms. The child clutched it to his chest, snuggling even closer. After extinguishing the lights with a quiet "nox," Severus fell asleep beside Harry, but not before placing a tender kiss on the boy's forehead and whispering a soft "I love you" into his ear.
An hour or so later, Don stood in the doorway, smiling as he saw his two boys nestled together in bed. He had never thought he would see a contented smile on Severus's face while the man slept, and he was overjoyed to witness it now. Silently, he took out his magical camera and snapped a few pictures to add to his album. Afterward, he tiptoed over to the pair and ensured they were both sleeping peacefully. As a final measure, he cast a discreet monitoring charm over them, just in case they needed him during the night. Satisfied, he quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Behind Bars