Walk the Shadows

sort of friends at all.' Severus drew a deep breath and steeled himself, not knowing what kind of reaction he was going to get for his next suggestion. 'If you do not want them to find out what happened from . . . other sources, perhaps you will allow me to speak to them instead. In general terms only, of course. Thus they will not be unduly surprised, and neither will they constantly accost you for more information.'

Harry's mouth had dropped open. It seemed to take him a few moments to bring himself from gobsmacked to incredulous. 'You . . . you'd do that? Talk to them? Talk to Ron?'

'I would,' Severus said simply. 'I have said, several times, I believe, that as your guardian, it is my duty to see to your well being. I believe letting me handle this would be in your best interests.'

'I . . . I don't know.' Harry sucked in a deep breath. 'Can I . . . can I think about it?'

At least he hadn't rejected the idea outright. Severus made a dismissive gesture with his hand, as if Harry's consideration of accepting Severus' aid wasn't of great moment. 'Of course.'

'Thanks, I . . . er, I mean . . . Thanks.'

'Certainly, Harry.' Severus gave him another small smile. He rose and banished the writing desk, and moved Harry's letters to the bedside table. 'It's late enough now that you would do well with some sleep. Tomorrow, if you eat a hearty breakfast, I will allow you up to stretch your legs.'

'And maybe go Flying? I did a lot of writing today, even if it wasn't in my journal.'

Severus raised his eyebrows. 'I think not.' At Harry's pleading look, he amended to, 'Maybe. Briefly. In the afternoon. If you eat a big lunch, too, and don't fall down when you get out of bed.'

'I . . . okay.' Harry eased down in the bed and tugged the blankets up to his chin as he rolled onto his side and pulled his knees up to his chest.

Severus wondered briefly if Harry would ever not sleep like he was going to be attacked in the middle of the night. Probably not. He Nox'd the light and started out the door. 'Good night.'

'G'night, Sev'rus. And thanks,' Harry said, sounding sincere, especially when he added, 'for everything. Really. I . . . I've never had anyone looking out for me before. It . . . I don't know. It feels nice.'

'You're welcome,' Severus said, glad the darkness would hide his expression. It would not do for his ward to think him a soft touch. 'Sleep well, Harry.'

A great yawn came from the bed as Severus eased the door most of the way closed, leaving it open just enough that he would hear if Harry experienced distress during the night. 'Mm-hm. You, too, sir.'

Severus shook his head as retreated from the door. How was it that the boy had become so bloody important to him, in such a short space of time? The fear that had gripped him when he'd thought Dumbledore had taken Harry away was unlike any he'd felt since . . . since Lily's life had been in danger. And that was the crux of the matter, wasn't it? Harry was yet another casualty of Severus' own reckless youth, and now that he was given a chance to make up for it, he would do everything he could to protect the boy.

Even as he rationalized the whole thing in his mind, he knew that excuse wasn't completely valid. In truth, he cared for Harry as a person in and of himself, not just because he was Lily's son, or because Severus had had a hand in making Harry's childhood a miserable one, however inadvertently. And every day as he observed the boy's strength of heart, and his amazing capacity for love and for forgiveness, his sense of humor and of fair play, he felt his respect for Harry grow. He wanted to see the boy smile, wanted to see him happy and free from the constraints of this abominable war.

Some day, probably some day soon, he going to have to admit that he was glad Harry was his ward, and not because of duty or because he had sworn a Wizard's