The days seemed to go faster than anyone really enjoyed. Not that they didn't have fun, but they would have liked more time. They just started getting used to 8 year old Harry. That Saturday was not a Saturday anyone wanted. Snape was gone for most of the morning. Harry was awfully quiet after yet another nightmare regarding his old memories.

"I think we should get all the blankets we can and make a fort. Who agrees?"

"What on earth is a fort Seamus?"

Before Seamus could answer he was tackled. "Really? We can make a fort. I was ever allowed to."

Seamus chuckled. "Sure Harry we can definitely make a fort. How about you and I go find all the fluffy blankets while Hermione explains to the rest."

Harry let go of Seamus and bounced. "Hurry up let's go. It's a treasure hunt."

"It's been a while since we've seen him that happy."

Hermione nodded. "Yeah Draco. Anyway to answer your question Blaise. A fort is like a mini castle made entirely out of blankets. You set it up like a tent, but we can use magic. We can't use extension charms though."

"Why not?"

"I think it will ruin the experience for Harry. He's really smart Pansy."

Seamus and Harry walked into the common room. Harry carrying a rather large pile of blankets. He tripped on the bottom step and flew forward. No one saw what happened, but Harry wasn't screaming. He was quietly sobbing. Not because he got hurt though.

"Shhh love it's okay. Everyone trips."

"I'm sorry Dray. I didn't mean to." Harry sobbed.

Draco lifted Harry's head. "Love. Did you get hurt." Harry shook his head. "And I didn't get hurt. We are both okay. You just missed a step. The blankets are fine. We are going to throw them around anyway."

Harry wiped his face. "I'm not in trouble?"

"No love. Would you like me to carry you while we set up?" Draco swept hair to the side.

"Thank you, but I really want to help."

Yes folks. While no one had seen what happened. Everything had gone in slow motion for Draco. He saw Harry miss the step before it happened. He was out of his chair and in front of Harry in a flash. A few blankets hit him in the face but he didn't care. And then he caught Harry. Instead of letting him touch the floor, Draco hoisted him up onto his hip. Now he was putting Harry down as per request.

They went on making the fort. They transfigured some items into poles. And used their magic to secure the ends of the blankets. By the time they were done Snape returned. He raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat.

"Sev! We made a fort! There's a couch for you inside." Harry yelled excitedly.

Snape smiled. "And how do I get inside?"

Harry turned. "Here's the entrance."

Draco mouthed. 'Crawl sorry.'

Snape nodded. He got to his knees by the entrance. Handed Draco the bag he had. Then he awkwardly crawled inside. The entrance was the only thing at Harry's level. The rest the others tried to make as high as possible. Because Harry didn't want to leave Snape out of the fort. They had quite a nice set up inside.

"Professor how nice of you to join us. We set you up against the wall. Reason is we put an extension charm for you. Couch, table and all."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Thank you Granger?"

Hermione smiled. Draco and Harry came in shortly after. Draco gave the bag back to Snape who handed it to Blaise. They knew what was in there but still tried to deny it. They were scared after all.

"It's 12 now. If he takes it we won't accidentally fall asleep and we can see what happens when he wakes."

"Thanks for that Neville but you're forgetting something. He takes the potion and he turns 12."

Hermione sighed. "Pansy has a point. Second year Hogwarts. He'll remember all of us. But they won't be pleasant memories with the Slytherins."

"Exactly." Pansy said.

Draco had been quite subdued the entire time. Not saying anything or looking at anyone. Harry was getting frustrated because of it.

Blaise shrugged. "If he hates us then..."

WAM!

Blaise looked up shocked. He looked at the imposing hand that connected with his face. He followed the hand to the body and then the face. Harry was frowning and shaking. He lowered his hand.

"Shut up! Just shut up! Can't..." He choked. "Can't you see you're making Dray upset."

Draco sighed and pulled Harry to him. Harry started to cry and a crack of magic was heard. Everyone watched as a storm cloud formed around the two. Draco started singing. Harry calmed down a bit.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me."

"Shhh love. It's okay. How about we give you your potion like we discussed yesterday? Say sorry to Blaise and let him give you your potion." Draco whispered.

Harry nodded and walked over to Blaise. He wrapped his arms around Blaise and apologized. Blaise rocked him and kissed his forehead before sitting him down.

"I'm sorry munchkin. It's my fault not yours. You just didn't want to see Draco hurt. Here just like last time okay." Blaise wiped Harry's tears.

Harry drank the potions fighting off the tiredness. He crawled over to Draco. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and Harry fell asleep.

"Shit I feel so stupid. Blaise baby are you okay."

Blaise smiled. "Not just you Hermione honey. I'm fine we need to stop forgetting Harry understands a lot of what's happening. Sorry Draco."

Draco hummed. "It's okay. I didn't think Harry would do that. He's so precious."

"Amm guys... Maybe I should tell you."

"Tell us what Neville?"

Neville chewed his lip. "Harry remembers everything. As in everything from when he was 16. I'm not sure if that potion will reset his memory again. But he has basically been a 16 year old in a 4 and 8 year old body."

Draco looked at Harry. "Why didn't he tell us?"

Neville sighed. "He liked the attention he was getting from you guys. Blaise and Draco especially. He even liked that Snape was smiling. He didn't want Snape to go back to treating him the same as before. And he didn't want you guys to feel weird."

*~*

"No funny business."

"Yes Uncle Vernon."

The car door slammed shut.

*~*

"He's not growing like before. How do we know if he's aging or not."

"He's aging Hermione."

"But Draco..."

"He's lighter. I can feel his spine through the shirt. And I'm willing to bet he's got more scars now." Draco sighed cutting Hermione off. "Did they never feed him?"

"I don't know."

Hermione smiled sadly. "Neville he's never had much of an appetite."

"He's anorexic." Everyone turned. "Caught him forcing himself to throw up after breakfast once."

Hermione frowned. "And you never thought of telling us this why Dean?"

Dean shrugged. "I was threatened with bodily harm if I ever said anything."

*~*

"Just like your useless mother. A freak! An abomination! I should never have gone easy on your punishment!"

"Don't touch me you whale!"

The boy was back handed. His head hitting the corner of the counter. His vision blurred.

"Oh great look what you did..."

The voice faded as he fell unconscious.

*~*

"Blaise tissue."

"Is Draco crying." Blaise teased.

"He's bleeding Blaise just give me the damn tissue!" Draco snapped.

Blaise hand Draco a tissue and watched as Draco gently cleaned Harry's head. His hair matted with blood. Harry shifted. A whimper escaping.

"Has anyone noticed Harry has never worn glasses yet."

Blaise frowned. "Yeah Seamus is right."

"But he wears glasses at 16."

"Pansy he wore glasses at 11."

Draco shook his head. "Can we address this at a later time. I don't want to think about it. Let's wait for him to wake up."