*Chapter 26*: Chapter 26
Whelp -- Chapter 26
By jharad17
Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Honest. She's rich, blond and British. I'm not.
-----
Severus sat stiffly in Dumbledore's office, when where he really wanted to be was outside, riding herd on a passel of children . . . or one particular child, at least. He had no doubt that, even with explicit instructions to the contrary, Harry could find a way to end up at the short end of the stick, and could quite likely find himself in the infirmary again. And Severus' nerves were already shot, thank you very much.
Molly Weasley, who had accepted the Headmaster's offer of tea, was sipping slowly, and watching him over the rim of his cup. 'You look tired,' she observed.
Severus managed – just – not to roll his eyes. 'Indeed.'
'How have you been sleeping?'
'Fine.'
She gave a huff of annoyance. 'Please, Severus. I'm trying to help. It won't do either of us any good if you aren't candid with me.'
'If you already knew the answer, why did you ask?' he snarked.
'You should know the answer to that one,' Molly said with a soft laugh. She turned to Dumbledore and lifted her eyebrows as if to ask what she was to do with a recalcitrant child in her care. Severus did not like the implication one bit.
'I have been sleeping as much as possible,' he said at last. 'Harry is . . . plagued by nightmares, and his sleep is often interrupted.'
'And thus yours is as well.' She nodded. 'I know how that can go. Ronnie still has nightmares about spiders some times, and when he does, we're both shattered the next day. How bad are they?'
'Bad enough.' With a pointed look from Albus, he elaborated, 'They're horrible. Every night, except once when we – Madam Pomfrey and myself – dosed him with Dreamless Sleep. I admit I'm wary about giving it to him too often, however, due to his age and his size. He frequently screams himself hoarse, though. A few nights ago, he tried to stop his own screaming by biting his hand. Tore through the tendon along his thumb.'
Molly gasped. 'Oh, my word. Is that why . . .'
'His left hand was wrapped. Yes.'
She was quiet for a while this time, and Severus took the opportunity to study her, in turn. He hadn't seen her in six years or more. Not since her youngest was born, since the Potters had died, since the Dark Lord had vanished. She had seven children, it was true. Six of them boys. He'd heard from the other professors that Bill was a bit rebellious, but a good student for all that, and likely to be Head Boy. Charlie, whilst a decent student, was much better at Quidditch. According to Albus, he'd been responsible for Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup for several years now and apparently had a yen for dragons. Severus wasn't sure he trusted the youngster with his son, but it was obvious that Molly Weasley cared for her brood, with a fair and affectionate hand.
Would that he could someday say as much about himself.
'I was surprised to hear that you'd taken Harry in,' Molly said suddenly.
'I daresay many people are, or will be.'
She smiled faintly. 'May I ask what prompted such a move?' Her gaze flicked to Dumbledore, who was watching their interaction with thinly veiled amusement, and he understood. The Old Coot had not told her that Harry was actually his son. Well.
Fine.
'Such information isn't necessary,' he said coolly, 'in order for you to dispense your advice.'
'No . . . But it would help me understand his circumstances, and better aid you in preparing for his future behaviors.'
Severus frowned. 'What do you mean?'
'I can only assume his last placement – with his aunt and uncle, correct? – was less than satisfactory, due to the state I saw him in a few moments ago. He is clearly undernourished and rather small for his age, and he's fearful of being touched. . .'
'Maybe he's fearful of being charged at!'
She ignored him, and talked right over his outburst, 'I expect he was abused, quite likely with some frequency. It will take you a good while to win his trust, but you seem to be making headway there. He looks to you for reassurance and for guidance.'
Quiet now, Severus considered her words. Everything she said was true.
'Have you tried Legilimency?'
Startled by the question, Severus shot a look at Albus, but the Headmaster merely sucked on a lemon drop and ignored his silent plea. 'Pardon?'
'To help with his nightmares. I know you're a Legilimens, Severus. Have you used it on Harry?'
'No, I . . .' He hadn't really considered it, but it might work. And perhaps, if he worked with the child on developing some skill in Occlumency, too, Harry would be more relaxed when he went to sleep. He knew the boy could learn the skill; he was rather more powerful than Severus had first thought, and his 'accidental,' wandless magic was becoming stronger by the day. And far less
