batsutousai | FIC: Hated Salvation ~ 2 ~ R ~ T(V)/H

Title: Hated Salvation
Author: Batsutousai
Pairing(s): Tom(Voldemort)/Harry, Sirius/Remus
Rating: R
Warnings: Slash, AU(pre-OotP), child abuse,
Summary: Lily Potter had not created enemies when she died, but a bond that would change the world.
Disclaim Her: Hardly.

...And the snake lord...

"The Glamour wasn’t supposed to wear off until you turned seventeen," Severus said. He was helping Harry make the potion for the contacts he had to wear so the sun couldn't hurt his eyes.

"Why seventeen?" Harry inquired, blinking up at the man.

"You'd be an adult wizard then," Severus explained. "Albus wouldn't be able to control you."

Harry nodded thoughtfully as he sprinkled in the crushed bat wings. This was only the third time he was making the potion. He'd messed up on the first two because of nerves. "But the Glamour didn't hold."

"No. Probably because of the Killing Curse. Although, the Dark Lord thinks it could have also been, in part, due to you malnourishment," Severus agreed.

"I see…" Harry sighed and started chopping up some lavender stalks. The two dark-haired wizards were silent for a long moment as Harry worked on his potion. Harry finally spoke again once he was finished putting the stalks into the cauldron. "Now what?"

"What was that?" Severus glanced up from a notebook he was making marks in.

Harry bit his bottom lip. "Well, when Tom came to get me, he had the Dursley's house burned, right?"

"Yes." Severus frowned. "I'm still not certain what you're asking."

"Does Dumbledore know I was in that house?"

The elder Snape's frown deepened. "He should have. There had been watchers nearby." He met Harry's gaze. "You think he might believe you dead."

"Would it be such a bad thing?" Harry responded. "Tom thinks Dumbledore might be the manipulator in the prophecy. It would be best if he never realized who I was, right?"

Severus gave his son a shrewd look. "You're supposed to be a Gryffindor, Harry."

Harry's lips twitched. "The Hat thought I would have done well in Slytherin, you know."

"I can see why." Severus nodded towards the potion, getting a thoughtful look on his face. Harry quickly threw in the trillium root that needed to be added before glancing back at the sever-looking man before him. "We'll have to talk to the Dark Lord, I think," Severus murmured. "If you get your potion right this time, we'll go while it simmers."

Harry sighed. "Alright," he agreed, returning his attention to the potion.

-~/\~-

"A good question." Tom leaned back in the chair behind his office desk. Harry and Severus were both seated in chairs in front of the desk. "As I see it, we have two choices. Either you could be returned to Dumbledore by Severus under a Glamour again, having being kidnapped from your kidnapper, or we could fashion you to be some child of a Death Eater."

"That would never get past the Sorting Hat," Severus pointed out stiffly.

"Wouldn't it put Professor Snape in danger if he delivered me from you? He is supposed to be a spy," Harry added.

Tom looked between the two with a faint smile. "Severus, I think the Sorting Hat would allow it if it learned what we know. Harry, that can easily be worked around by it appearing that I'm taunting Dumbledore."

"My Lord," Lucius slipped in from where he had been working on some papers in a dark corner.

The Dark Lord glanced over at the blond. "Yes?"

"I believe the Order thinks you insane, so it could come to mind to perform a rescue attempt. Po-Harry has a point; Severus would most likely become suspect if he were able to deliver Harry out of the blue," Lucius suggested.

"I like the way he thinks," Harry muttered, earning him an amused look from the Dark Lord and a startled look from Lucius.

"That could work…" Tom agreed, glancing at Severus. "He's your son, Severus. Do you have any problems with that?"

Severus shook his head. "I believe it will prove a better course of action than creating a whole new person."

"I must agree." Lucius nodded.

Harry inclined his head. "I'd rather not lose Hermione and Ron, personally."

"Very well." Tom focused on Severus. "Return to Dumbledore. Inform him that you've learned that Harry is here and could use a good rescue. You know the guard shifts in the dungeons. I'll make sure no one is off schedule."

Severus stood and bowed deeply. "As you request, my Lord." Then he spun and stalked from the room.

Harry grimaced. "I wasn't here for very long, was I?"

"Nope," Tom replied cheerfully, standing. "Now, let's see what we can do about that Glamour."

Harry nodded and stood. "Could we cut my hair? That would help, I think."

"You don't like it long?" Tom teased, amused.

"No." Harry scowled. "The grease doesn't quite help matters, you know."

Tom nodded. "So, a good Severing Charm, and a mild Glamour to hide the shape of your face."

Harry frowned. "What about my glasses? I don't need them anymore."

The Dark Lord rubbed at his chin. "We'll fix the contacts to make your eyes worse, so you'll need glasses again. They'll have to get you some new ones though, your old ones were broken."

"He doesn't look much like a captive," Lucius offered helpfully.

Harry bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing while Tom glared at the blond. "He is right, though. It's going to look strange if I come to them sans the effects of torture or what-have-you."

"But-" The Dark Lord looked horrified at the thought of attacking Harry now that the boy was finally healing.

"Tom." Harry gave his bonds mate a reassuring smile. "It's fine. I promise not to hold it against you."

Tom let out a deep breath and nodded, wiping his face of expression. "Disguise first," he decided out loud. Harry nodded and held still for the magic.

-~/\~-

Harry glanced up bleakly when he heard voices in the hallway outside the cell he'd been left in. The sound of his father shushing them all made him smile slightly. It was just like the man to snap out a hushing sound.

The small group came into sight and Harry counted four people. One of them, he knew, was Severus. The wooden leg he saw was a dead giveaway that Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was also there. The other two Harry couldn't figure out, as they all wore heavy cloaks that hid their faces from his gaze, until one spoke, "Oh, Merlin. Harry..." Remus Lupin whispered.

Harry blinked tiredly at the shadowy shapes. "Professor Lupin," he managed through his split lip, wincing. Tom really had done a good job of beating him up. It was through their bond that he had felt the man's dislike of the abuse he was causing. It was rather touching, really.

"We'll have you out in no time, Potter," Moody offered gruffly. Even the ex-Auror appeared shocked by the state Harry was in.

Severus quickly unlocked the cell, then held it open for the other three to hurry in. "Quickly," he hissed, beady eyes watching the hallway.

Moody made quick work of the chains holding Harry. The person Harry still didn't know picked him up carefully and wrapped him in a warm cloak. "I've got you, Harry," the person said, sounding like a female.

"We've got your dad's Cloak and your photo album, too," Remus assured the small teen.

Harry smiled in response, but he'd seen the way his father's eyes had narrowed at the mention of James Potter. "Thanks, Professor."

"You get some rest," the woman holding Harry told him, clutching him against her chest. Harry rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. With a tired sigh, he let himself drift off.

-~/\~-

Harry had spent a little over a week in the Hogwarts' hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey, needless to say, had not been overly pleased about having to treat her most frequent patient during the school year over the summer, of all times. The matron had appeared to enjoy tormenting him while he was in there, of course, but Harry had allowed it all with good humour. He really did adore Madame Pomfrey.

The other part Harry enjoyed about his time in the hospital wing was the time he ended up spending with Severus. The elder Snape disliked his home, so basically lived on Hogwarts' grounds full-time. Since he was the only teacher who did so, other than the headmaster, he was left to watch over Harry when Madame Pomfrey went home for the evening. The two Snapes had many long chats about the past. It was Harry's last evening that the small boy finally found the courage to ask the question that had been nagging at him since he'd first met Severus Snape.

"Why do you hate James so much?"

Severus froze, halfway between standing and sitting, for a long moment, startled gaze on his son. He sat before answering the question. "Well, there was the school rivalry-"

"Professor Snape, you know that's not what I meant," Harry replied with a frown. He still wasn't quite comfortable enough with the man to call him 'father' or even 'Severus'. The elder man hadn't seemed to mind, though he always called Harry by his first name when Madame Pomfrey wasn't around.

Severus frowned in response. "Why does it matter so much?" he inquired tightly.

Harry sighed. "I'd like to know why my father hates my dad so much, okay? Just curious." The boy pulled his blankets up a bit and closed his eyes. "It doesn't matter."

Severus watched the boy for a long moment, his emotions warring behind a careful mask. To tell the child or not? He owed Harry this much, didn't he? "Jealousy," he said suddenly, smiling to himself when he saw Harry startle. "A long history of jealousy."

Harry blinked up at the man. "Why were you jealous?"

Severus shrugged. "In school, James was everything I wasn't. He was the teacher's favourite, loved by his family, popular, had faithful friends, and had perfect grades."

Harry nodded wisely. "Perfect Potter," he quoted.

Severus winced. "Yes, Perfect Potter." He let out a faint sigh. "After your birth, he had you, the one thing I couldn't have."

Harry's eyes widened. "If you could have proven to the Ministry that I was yours, would you have?" he inquired.

Severus paused for a brief moment. "Yes. I would have done anything to have you," he admitted quietly.

Harry smiled, closing his eyes. "Good night, Father," he offered.

Severus merely nodded, fighting something he never thought he'd have to fight again.

Tears.

-~/\~-

"Harry!" Hermione cried, throwing herself on the small teen as soon as he appeared.

Harry staggered under her. "Hermione, I missed you and all, but could you please let go?" he whispered.

Hermione let go quickly, stepping back to take a good look at him. She wasn't the only one who gasped. "Harry?" she whispered brokenly.

Harry knew he looked dreadful. Not even Tom's best Glamour had hidden his pale complexion, and he was thinner than he'd been when they left the school only months ago due to lack of food at his relatives' home. He hadn't healed completely, no matter what Madame Pomfrey had tried, and so still had a nasty bruise under his left eye. Severus had informed him that Princes had even more delicate skin than Malfoys, so he'd best expect bruises to stay with him for quite a long while.

"Do I really look that bad?" Harry inquired softly as he pulled out a chair to sit in.

"I'll kill that bastard," came a growl from behind Molly Weasley. Sirius Black stepped into Harry's line of sight, grey eyes flashing with fury.

"You'll do no such thing!" Mrs Weasley turned on Sirius immediately. "You will stay in this house and behave yourself!"

"You're not my mot-" Sirius started.

"Both of you. Enough." Remus Lupin stepped between the other two adults and offered Harry an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Harry. Would you like something to eat?"

Harry shook his head tiredly and rested his head against the tabletop. "I'm alright."

"Tired, mate?" Ron Weasley finally spoke, brown eyes filled with concern. Hermione stood next to him, twisting her hands together nervously.

"Maybe a bit," Harry agreed.

Mrs Weasley stepped in before anyone could get Harry to bed. "Madame Pomfrey says you need to eat more to regain your strength. You'll have to stay up long enough for dinner."

"But, mum!" Ron immediately complained for his friend.

"Molly, Harry needs rest," Sirius added.

"Don't you tell me what he does and doesn't need, Sirius Black!" Molly replied sharply.

Harry closed his eyes and let the shouting wash over him. He felt concern from Tom, but waved it away gently. The last thing they needed was the Dark Lord storming in because Harry was tired. He'd never really had the chance to heal completely from Vernon; it was no wonder he felt so cruddy.

A gentle hand rested on the centre of Harry's back and he peeked up into Ginny Weasley and Hermione's concerned gazes. "Harry?" Hermione whispered.

Harry blinked slowly at her a few times before forcing a small smile. "I'm fine. Really." He made himself sit up and frowned at Mrs Weasley and Sirius - who were still fighting - and Remus - who was attempting to make the two stop. Ron stood next to Sirius, glaring at his mother defiantly. Arthur, Fred and George Weasley, and a woman Harry didn't know all stood in the doorway of the room, looking like they didn't want to get involved. "Who's the lady?" Harry inquired softly of the two girls with him, nodding at the woman in the doorway.

"Tonks," Ginny offered. "She's an Auror."

"She was one of the ones who went to get you," Hermione added glumly.

Harry glanced up at his friend. "Hermione, it's over. I'm okay now."

"No you're not!" Hermione cried quietly, wringing her hands together again. "You're really thin and pale and you're tired. You're not okay."

Harry sighed and stood. The sound of his chair scraping on the stone floor managed to silence Mrs Weasley and Sirius. All eyes turned to him. "Ron, if you could please show me where I'm sleeping, we'll leave everyone else to argue over my health," he offered softly, tone surprisingly sharp.

Both Mrs Weasley and Sirius winced, but Remus shot Harry a strange look.

"Harry, dear, I'm sorry," Mrs Weasley immediately apologized.

"We shouldn't have started arguing like that," Sirius chimed in.

Harry shrugged. "I'm going to bed. Ron?"

"Er, sure thing, mate," Ron agreed nervously.

"Now, Har-" Mrs Weasley started.

Harry shot the woman a sharp look. "I think I can take care of myself fine without any help, thank you, Mrs Weasley," he said stiffly before turning and following Ron from the room.

Silence filled the kitchen for a long while after Harry and Ron had disappeared.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione finally sniffled.

"I don't know," Ginny murmured. "Do you think that torture affected his head?"

"No," Remus spoke immediately. "I think this is a simple case of normal teenage rebellion." He glanced at Mrs Weasley. "Molly, you've had teenagers before. You know it's best sometimes to just back off."

"But he's endangering his health!" Mrs Weasley cried, obviously upset.

"Then let him," Mr Weasley slipped in gently. He stepped forward to enfold his wife in a hug. "Hopefully, he'll turn to us before he does himself any permanent damage."

"But what if he doesn't?!" Mrs Weasley sobbed.

"We won't let that happen," Hermione stated resolutely. Everyone but Remus and Sirius nodded. The two Marauders traded uneasy looks.

-~/\~-

§Perhaps that wasn't the best way to handle that,§ Tom offered as he appeared from the shadows of Harry's dream.

Harry looked up from where he was playing with his wand. §How'd you get in here?§

Tom smiled mysteriously. §How could I not? Remember that lovely little bond?§ he teased, settling down on the edge of Harry's bed in Gryffindor Tower. §Lovely place you've got here.§

Harry frowned at the Dark Lord. §You can use the bond to get into my dreams?§

§Yes.§ Tom nodded. §And I believe you could do the same, if you so wished.§

§Hmm...§ Harry frowned down at his quilt.

§Harry,§ Tom murmured. Harry glanced up at him. §You need to take better care of yourself.§

Harry let out an aggravated sound. §Not you too!§

§Yes, me too.§ Tom gave the small teen a severe look. §Look, we're all worried about you right now, but I can also feel how you're feeling. Harry, trust me, you need to take better care of yourself. Please?§

Harry looked away. §I-§

Tom knelt next to the teen and wrapped him in a gentle hug. §You're important to too many people to kill yourself by not taking proper care of yourself, Harry. The Dursleys got many things wrong, and the fact that you're worthless was one of the big ones,§ he murmured.

Harry buried his face in his bonded's chest. §I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...§

Tom just hugged him tighter.

-~/\~-

Harry slipped down to the kitchen quietly after he woke. The house was filled with oppressing silence and Harry bowed under it's weight. In the kitchen, he found the two Marauders sitting at the table, talking quietly. "Sirius? Professor?" he murmured, surprised.

Two pairs of grey eyes looked up at him. "Hey there," Sirius spoke, smiling. "How are you doing, pup?"

Harry slipped into a chair a little way down the table from the two adults. "Hungry, I guess," he mumbled, glancing down at the table top.

"Well, then," Remus stood smoothly, "let's see what we can put together for you, hum?"

"We could make him the old Padfoot special," Sirius offered cheerfully.

Remus gave the Animagus a dry look. "I don't think Harry's stomach can handle your cooking quite yet, Padfoot," he said evenly.

Harry covered a grin when his godfather pouted. "Anything is fine, Professor."

Remus nodded. "Eggs it is."

"Only thing he can make," Sirius agreed in a stage whisper.

Harry muffled his laughter when Remus threw a wet rag at Sirius and it landed in the middle of the dark-haired man's face. "Best watch it, Padfoot, lest I tell him about that time that you blew up our kitchen," the werewolf warned good-humouredly.

Harry gaped at his godfather. "You didn't."

"Oh, he did," Remus assured the teen as he started cooking. "Almost killed himself on the way. Haven't let him near a stove unattended since." He gave Harry a wink, then caught the rag that Sirius threw back at him with practised ease.

Harry laughed. "You're crazy, Sirius."

"I was born that way," Sirius assured him with a bright smile.

"Oiy." Remus rolled his eyes. "No flirting with your godson, you prat."

"I never!" Sirius replied, scandalized.

"Yes, you would," Remus responded, not even bothering to turn around.

Harry buried his face in his hands, laughing helplessly at the two's antics. Remus and Sirius traded grins. "I think he finds us amusing, Moony," Sirius said with an indignant tone.

"I believe he does, Padfoot," Remus agreed with a sigh. "Whatever shall we do?"

"Tickle attack?" Sirius offered.

Harry shook his head, still laughing behind his hands.

"Not a tickle attack, then," Remus agreed. "Sneak attack prank?"

Harry shook his head again.

"No, maybe not. Perhaps we should just let him taste my cooking!" Sirius decided, leaping to his feet.

Harry buried his face in his hands, laughing even harder. "My sides hurt!" he gasped, trying to stop his laughter.

Sirius settled on the chair next to his godson and rubbed his back gently until he'd calmed down enough to sip at the water Remus was offering him. "Better?" the Animagus inquired.

Harry nodded. "Yeah." Then he elbowed Sirius' side. "Prat."

"You looked like you needed to loosen up a bit," Remus said, setting a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Harry before taking the seat across from the other two wizards at the table.

Harry grimaced. "I guess."

"You guess?" Sirius snorted. "You were starting to act a lot like Snape, Harry."

"Really?" Harry inquired, staring at his plate.

Remus frowned at Harry's muted response, but Sirius just grinned. "Yup! It was actually rather scary." The Animagus shuddered playfully.

"I'll try harder to act like myself, then," Harry offered, smiling faintly. It was hard to feel depressed with Sirius around.

"That's the spirit!" Sirius agreed loudly.

"Padfoot, you need to keep it down," Remus ordered.

"Oops. Sorry, Moony." Sirius did his best to look apologetic, which was pretty damn pitiful.

Harry smiled, amused by the two Marauders, as he ate his eggs. "Did you act like this in school?" he inquired.

"Yup," Sirius responded proudly.

"How many detentions did you get?"

"A lot." Remus sighed. "I always blamed it on Sirius."

Sirius' face darkened. "It was Snivellus' fault, not mine," he hissed.

Harry felt his heart clench and looked away. 'How am I supposed to choose between my father and my godfather?'

"Harry, what is it?" Remus asked, reaching across the table to take one of Harry's hands in his own.

"Nothing," Harry whispered, returning his attention to his eggs.

"Was it something I said?" Sirius asked, concern dancing through his words.

Harry glanced up at his godfather sadly. "Professor Snape didn't have to rescue me, but he did. It just doesn't seem right to be insulting him," he whispered.

Sirius' eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to stop insulting Snape?"

"Please?" Harry's eyes begged the elder wizard to listen to him. He doubted this would work, but he might as well try.

Sirius glanced over at Remus, who gave him a stern look, before letting out a heavy sigh. "I suppose I can leave Snape alone," he agreed reluctantly. "But, if he starts it, I'm not going down without a fight!" was added as Harry gave him a large hug in thanks.

"And down is exactly where you'll be heading," Remus snorted, shaking his head.

"Hey!" Sirius gave Remus a hurt look, which earned a laugh from Harry. "What are you laughing at?"

"You!" Harry grinned. "You know Professor Lupin's right."

"Hey!"

"What is all this racket?"

"Oh, good morning, Molly." Remus smiled at the annoyed witch in the doorway of the kitchen. "Harry came down for some breakfast and we were entertaining him."

"I see." Mrs Weasley shot Harry a strange look.

Harry bowed his head. "I'm sorry I was so rude yesterday, Mrs Weasley," he murmured. "I was just really tired."

Mrs Weasley's stern gaze softened. "It's alright, Harry. We were just a little concerned." She looked him over quickly. "You do look a bit better, at any rate."

Harry's lips twisted with a faint smile. "I'm so used to sleeping in the same room as Ron at school that I fell asleep as soon as I heard him snoring."

"That's good," Mrs Weasley said with a smile, obviously amused by the statement.

"Well, trust me when I say no one can fall asleep to Padfoot's snoring," Remus stated, standing. "The first thing I learned at Hogwarts was how to perform a Silencing Charm, so I could get a little sleep." Harry cracked up while Sirius adopted another hurt look and Mrs Weasley hid a smile. "Breakfast, Molly?"

"That would be lovely, Remus. Thank you," Mrs Weasley agreed, sitting down at the table at Remus' old spot as the werewolf got some more eggs and bacon together. "Let's see..." The witch tapped at her cheek thoughtfully. "Oh, yes. The Headmaster got you a replacement trunk, since your old one got burned. He also contacted your aunt. She's agreed to take you back next summe-"

"Harry, what's wrong?" Sirius cut in, having noticed that Harry had tensed up next to him on the bench.

Harry set down his fork. "Why can't I stay here next summer?"

"Well, the blood protecti-"

"Voldemort just proved that wasn't doing anything!" Harry shouted, pounding his fist on the table.

Mrs Weasley was staring at Harry as if he'd grown another head. "Now, Harry, be reasonable..."

"I am being reasonable," Harry shot back coldly.

"Har-"

Remus set a hand on Mrs Weasley's shoulder, silencing her, and gave Harry a piercing look. "Why don't you want to go back with your aunt?"

"Well, I'm obviously not protected there, right?"

"Harry..."

"And at least I feel safe here."

"Wait! Wait!" Sirius held up his hands for silence before turning to Harry, who was frowning. "You don't feel safe with your aunt?"

"No." Harry shook his head sharply.

"Why not?" Mrs Weasley requested.

Harry clamped his mouth shut defiantly and shook his head, ignoring the heavy sigh he felt from his bonded. There was no way he was going to tell them about his uncle. Out of the question.

"Maybe it has to do with that time we found him with bars on his windows."

"Or perhaps that time when Ron called his house and his uncle claimed he didn't exist."

Four sets of eyes turned to the twins standing in the doorway. Neither looked pleased with the discussion in the kitchen, really, though they both offered smiles to Harry. "Or-"

"Perhaps-"

"That has nothing to do with it what-so-ever," the twins finished with one voice before plopping themselves down at the table with large smiles.

"Thanks, guys," Harry said dryly, setting his fork down as he decided that his breakfast didn't really look all that appetizing.

"Harry, how many of those bruises are actually from your relatives?" Remus inquired gently. Mrs Weasley let out a gasp and Sirius clenched his hands into fists.

Harry bit his lip, but Tom gave a harsh shove from his end of their bond which sent the words tumbling from Harry's mouth just as his thoughts went tumbling about in his mind, "About half." Then he winced. "Err, I mea-"

Remus held up a hand, silencing the teen. "Come with me," the werewolf said, standing. Sirius made to stand with Harry, but Remus shook his head sharply. "No, Padfoot. Just Harry, please."

Harry slipped around the table and walked with Remus from the room, trying to appear as small as possible. Once they were out of hearing range of the kitchen, Harry spoke. "How'd you guess?"

"A few things." Remus shrugged. "Like, for instance, when we found you, you didn't look as bad as I would have expected of a victim of Voldemort, though I didn't exactly think that at first. Also, after I thought about it, I recalled some of the bruises you'd sported at the time starting to fade, which meant they had been there for at least a little longer than you'd been in Voldemort's base."

"And, of course, Fred and George," Harry muttered.

"They were what cracked the case, yes," Remus agreed, turning to watch Harry's face. "Harry, were you treated poorly at Voldemort's base?"

Harry almost froze, but managed to keep walking, if only for appearance's sake. "Of course, Professor. I was chained up in a dungeon and beat," he offered sarcastically.

Remus shook his head. "I would like the truth, Harry."

"That is the truth," came the cold response.

"You and I both know that's a flat-out lie, don't we, Moony?" Sirius inquired, stepping forward to drape an arm over Remus' shoulders.

"Padfoot, I thought I told you to stay put," Remus growled.

"I listen to you about as well as I listen to Sni-" Sirius' eyes shot over to Harry's form, which had stiffened, and he changed the word, "-Snape."

"Wonderful," Remus snorted, then looked back at Harry sternly. "The truth, Harry."

"...no..." Harry allowed as quietly as he could, half hoping his ex-professor and godfather didn't hear, but knowing that at least Remus would hear since he was a werewolf.

Remus rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "That's what I thought." He stopped before a closed door, which he pushed open. "Why don't we go in here and you tell us what really happened?"

'Tom!' Harry cried out in his mind while he stood in the hall in indecision.

'If you trust them, tell them. I trust your instinct on this, and it's only fair that you have someone close to you who knows, other than Severus,' came the gentle response.

Harry looked at his dad's best friends sadly. He did trust them, but he was a little afraid of what Sirius would do when he found out about his real father.

'If he loves you, he will move past his hatred.'

Harry nibbled on his lower lip gently and stepped into the room. Sirius and Remus followed him, and Remus proceeded to ward the door, which he'd closed, quite firmly. By the time Remus had finished making sure no one else could get into the room without one of them being warned, Harry had taken a seat on a dusty armchair and huddled into a small ball. Remus took a seat next to Sirius on the equally dusty couch and fixed Harry with a patiently curious look.

Harry hugged his legs tighter against his chest. "Before you freak out, yes, Uncle Vernon hit me. All of twice. This last time I kind of hit the wall and blacked out. When I came to, Uncle Vernon had a guest over and Aunt Petunia and Dudley were out at a movie. The man who Uncle Vernon had over was a wizard and he seemed to know where I was. He got me out, then asked some of his friends who were out back to burn the house. At the time, I had no clue who it was that had taken me from the house, since I was still dazed.

"When I finally woke up, I found out that my... well, I suppose you'd call him my 'rescuer' - was, in fact, Lord Voldemort himself. I kinda of threw a pillow at him and he left after telling me I had free reign of the place. So I got up and headed for the outside, where I, quite literally, tripped over Draco Malfoy. He and I had an oddly civil conversation and then Professor Snape showed up. And Draco gave me his mirror and, well, a couple of things had to be explained."

"Like?" Sirius pushed. "You don't really look all that different, you know."

Harry smiled bitterly. "Yes, Tom put a Glamour on me so no one else would find out."

Remus pulled out his wand, then gave Harry a searching look. "May I?"

Harry turned to Sirius in response and said, "Please don't freak out?"

Sirius' eyes widened, but he nodded his agreement.

Remus dispersed the Glamour and he and Sirius stared for a few long moments before Remus whispered, "That's why you didn't want Sirius calling Severus names..."

Harry had closed his eyes - so he didn't have to see the look of hatred that Sirius would no doubt sport - and he just shrugged in response to Remus' comment and hugged his legs tighter. "Draco said that Dad couldn't have kids, so he asked Professor Snape for a favour. The Glamour wasn't supposed to wear off for another couple years," Harry murmured, voice muffled by his legs.

Sirius stood and stepped over to Harry, then drew the boy into a tight hug, startling Harry badly. "I don't care who your bloody father is, Harry. You're still my godson and I'd go to hell and back to protect you."

In response, Harry burst into tears and buried his face in his godfather's robe, silently thanking his infamous luck that he hadn't lost Sirius.

Remus waited until Harry had calmed back down and Sirius had managed to drag the poor boy over to sit between them on the couch before inquiring, "Now then, Tom?"

The faint blush that followed that question looked extra bright against Harry's pale skin. "Uhm, yeah. Mum sent a letter to Professor Snape that told him about a prophecy that Dad made concerning Lord Voldemort and myself. Apparently, the Killing Curse didn't rebound and create the bloody bond between us, it rebound because the bond existed already."

"Lily cast some obscure charm on you, didn't she?" Sirius muttered knowingly.

"Yeah." Harry smiled faintly. "Tom said he didn't actually know about the bond until he came back at the end of last year. Once he realized what it was, he opened himself to it more and so he realized that my relatives were treating me poorly. So he came to get me out of there."

"Do you love him?" Remus inquired carefully.

Harry blinked a few times, considering how he should respond to that, and then inquired, "What, exactly, is love?" which managed to shock both Remus and Sirius into silence and earned him a mental hug from Tom. Sirius and Remus both gave him hugs after a moment too and he smiled again. "Why is everyone hugging me?"

"Everyone?" Sirius asked, looking more than a little lost. His eyes carried a profound sort of sadness and a deep-seated pain that startled Harry.

"Uhm, yeah. I can feel him - Tom - in my head. And he gave me a hug too." Harry shrugged. "It's weird, that's all."

"I think I'm going to roast those bloody Dursleys," Sirius muttered, eyes darkening, but still looking a touch pained.

"Harry, you don't know love?" Remus asked softly.

Harry shrugged again, and considered how to explain his words. "I know friendship," he offered, "and I know what it's like to have a crush, I suppose, but I'm not quite sure I understand this 'love' that everyone is so fond of."

"Love is when your heart aches for someone so badly that you're afraid it'll burst out of your chest," Remus replied in a whisper that was filled with knowledge. "It's when you'd rather die than be left alone."

Harry felt tears sting his eyes and he blinked them away. "Like how I was scared that I'd loose Sirius because Professor Snape's my father?" he asked, turning to look at Remus.

Remus nodded. "That's a form of love. I'm sure you also feel love for Ron and Hermione."

Harry thought about how he hadn't wanted to chance loosing them by becoming another person entirely and nodded.

"Do you wish Voldemort - or Tom - were here?" Sirius asked, sounding surprisingly mature.

Harry considered that. He missed Tom's calming presence and the way his bonded would sit next to him at night and sooth his nerves until he could fall asleep. He missed knowing that someone cared about him so very much that even the smallest of cuts that Tom had made to look like he'd been tortured had made the man want to tear out his own heart and beg forgiveness. Harry blinked and nodded. Yes, he missed Tom; wished that his bonded were with him.

Tom's mental presence hugged him again and whispered, 'And I miss you as well, Harry.'

Harry suddenly felt calmer and smiled. "But it's okay, because he is here," he told his dad's friends and tapped his forehead.

Remus and Sirius both smiled and Harry found himself being hugged again. But he didn't mind. He knew it meant that he was loved.

-~/\~-

-~\/~-

A/N: Ugh.... I think there was a lack of sleep problem when I wrote the ending there.... -.-

Feed me? *looks starved*
~Bats ^.^x

Chapters:
1 - The twice-fathered son... ||| ~~2 - ...And the snake lord...~~
3 - ...Shall become one. ||| 4 - And in a world ruled...
Discontinued