Harry opened his eyes. He was still alive. He sighed disappointed that he failed.

"Finally awake. I'll fetch Uncle Sev." A voice came from the side.

Harry didn't bother moving or trying to. He just lay there staring at the mahogany silk drapes. He heard the door open and close. He was now alone. About a minute later the door opened again and closed. Now there where three presences in the room.

"Hello Ssssalvitor. Who is the other persssson?" Harry said in paseltongue not looking in the direction of the intruders.

"Massster. Thissss issss Massssterssss life partner." Salvitor responded.

"Life partner? You must be darft." Harry hadn't realised he spoke English this time. He then directed his next statement at Snape. "Snape tell him to leave or else I will."

Draco was so confused. The boy spoke paseltongue. Said something about a life partner and then dismissed him like it didn't matter. All without looking at us.

"How do you know I'm not alone?" Snape asked.

"I can sense the three of you. Much like I sensed three of you the first time I woke up here." Harry said turning on his side facing his back to the intruders.

"Interesting." Snape mumbled then whispered to Draco. "Thank you, but it seems my plan was incorrect. Please go home and tell your father I said you were an invaluable help these past few days."

Draco nodded and left. Feeling happy to have helped but disappointed at being dismissed.

"He's..."

"I know." Harry said sitting up, cutting Snape off. "Why?"

"Why what?" Snape sat at the bottom of the bed.

"Why did you save me? Why did you take me in? Why? Just why the hell are you not treating me like a freak?!" Harry's voice and frustration climbed as he spoke.

"I'll Start from the latter." Snape said. "You are not a freak. You posses a very powerful magic. If you are able to sense the presence of others. You belong in this world not the muggle world. Therefore I cannot treat you like a freak because that would mean I am a freak, and I sure as hell am NOT a freak. Next you should not be living with people who belittle you and since I do not trust anyone as much as I trust myself I will not be having you stay anywhere but here. Lastly you have a life worth living Harry. Don't throw it away. I lost your mother and I'd be damned if I lost you. So that is why I saved you."

Harry started to cry. No one had ever treated him so kindly before. Snape sighed and hung his head unsure what he did wrong this time.

"What did I do now?" He asked disappointed.

"N...No... Nothing S... Sevy." This shocked Snape to say the least. "Th... Thank you." Harry wrapped his arms around Snape's neck.

Snape froze then awkwardly hugged Harry back. He eventually pulled the boy into his lap and rocked him back and forth to calm him. The crying slowed and the sobs quieted. Harry hick-upped a few times before his breathing evened. Soon he was relaxed. Snape realised he had fallen asleep and tucked Harry back into the bed. Salvitor snaked himself up Snape's arm as he pulled away from the bed. Then he just hung over Snape as he left the room.

*~*

Snape went to make lunch as it was nearing 1 o'clock. Besides making potions he enjoyed cooking. To him he was making a potion. It felt the same and it felt relaxing. He didn't know that Harry had woken up as soon as he left. So Harry stood at the door watching him a bit sleepy. Then finally he spoke up.

"You could have asked me to make you food." Harry yawned.

Snape was startled, but quickly composed himself. "I thought you were sleeping I was going to wake you when I was done."

"But I always have to cook."

"Not here you don't. If you feel like cooking you just have to tell me otherwise I will be making the food." Snape said plating the fried fish he was making. "So why did you wake up?" He asked the sleepy looking Harry.

"You left." Harry said. "I felt when you left and I got upset."

Snape raised his eyebrow. "Would you care to explain?" He gestured for Harry to sit and put a plate in front of him to eat.

"I... It's stupid." Harry said stuffing his face realising how hungry he was.

"It can't be stupid if it woke you up." Snape said slyly adding more food to Harry's plate.

Harry paused and took a big sip from the glass of apple juice. "When I could sense your presence I felt safe even when you put me down I didn't mind. You were there." Harry finally said turning red and stuffing his face some more.

Snape smiled an actual genuine smile. "Can I ask you some questions and you give me straight honest answers? I will let you sleep in my room only if you tell me the truth."

Harry nodded hesitantly.

"When last did you have a proper meal?"

"Last week when you forced me to eat everything." Harry said.

"And before that?"

Harry shrugged. "I never really got to eat."

Snape sighed. "Before being here how much sleep would you get?"

"As much sleep as you can get sitting up or on the floor I guess. There was never enough space in the cupboard for me to be comfortable."

"Why did your uncle abuse you?"

Harry froze he looked at Snape for a moment. "I will answer that if you answer me."

Snape nodded. He wanted Harry to be honest and trust him.

"Why did my mom not marry you?"

It was Snape's turn to freeze. He thought for a moment before answering. "I pushed her away because I didn't know how to express my feelings. So she ended up with my tormentor."

"My dad bullied you?" Harry's mouth hung open.

Snape nodded.

"I can do magic. Like you said. My uncle hates anything that isn't normal. He hated me even more because I wasn't his child. So he took everything out on me every chance he got." Harry answered the question Snape had forgotten about.

The two of them shared information for the rest of the day and got to know each other more. Harry had asked more questions about his mother and father, but Snape only answered the questions about Harry's mother.

*~*

It had been three months and Harry was learning more about magic and the wizarding world. His birthday was in a couple of weeks. He would be turning 13. Finally he would be a teenager. Snape didn't know when Harry's birthday was, because Harry wouldn't tell him.