Paul awoke as the first rays of sunlight reached their camp. Tired, he turned in Andrew's arms. The other opened his eyes sleepily.

"Morning," he said with a smile and kissed his partner.

"Morning, we should get up," Paul said, peeling himself out of the blankets, slipping into his shoes and pulling on his thick coat. Andrew followed suit and soon they were standing by the warm stove. Mary was already standing there drinking a cup of tea while Max stirred in a pot.

"Morning, Porridge is almost ready," he said.

"Good Morning both of you and did you sleep well?", Andrew wanted to know.

"Yes, but it's getting colder every day. It snowed quite a bit tonight," Mary said and Paul nodded. He looked worriedly at Harry's mattress. The boy was still asleep and cuddled up close to him was Bone.

"Yes it really is. We definitely have to take Harry with us, it gets too cold under the bridge without the stove. We can't give him that many blankets," he said and Andrew nodded.

"Sure, but we have to be very careful," he said, squeezing his partner's hand tighter.

"Yeah ... I mean, I hate to say it, but ... but when we found him, we were talking about a few months and now he's been with us for a year and a half. Don't get me wrong, I love the dwarf and I like having him with us, but you know how hard this life is ...", Max now said carefully and distributed the porridge over several bowls.

"Max, we had this," Paul said seriously.

"Yes, and I know you both would like to have him with you, but Paul think about it, if you're going to adopt him or whatnot, you need a roof over your head and ..."

"Stop Max, you know even if we did that, no one would let us adopt a child. We are both just over fifty and two men, no one is that tolerant," Andrew said sadly.

"Nobody's talking about adopting, but foster care...", Mary interjected, but Paul shook his head.

"That won't work either and we might not want to give up this life, not like that. I would do it for Harry, but let's face it, Andrew is right, no one would willingly entrust a child to two bums," Paul said and it remained silent between the four of them.

"Okay, fine ... but after Christmas, please let's think about what to do next. Don't you think Harry has a right to grow up like other children after all he's been through?"

"In an orphanage or with the people who abused him?", Paul now asked, visibly angry.

"No, you know what I mean!" said Max and Mary raised her arms.

"Stop, let's leave the subject for today. We'll see after Christmas and now you should wake him up, we have to leave soon. As early as it is, you might as well take him for a shower, right?" she asked. Paul averted his eyes from Max and nodded. He turned and walked to Harry's mattress.

"Hey Bone, go get your breakfast," he said and the mongrel yawned heartily before leaving Harry's side and running to Mary.

"Hey little one, get up," Paul said and stroked Harry's forehead. The boy opened his eyes and stretched.

"Morning Pauli," he said, yawning, and sat up. The man smiled, lifted him out of the thick sleeping bag, took off his second jumper and put him into his warm winter jacket before putting on his shoes.

"Sleep well?" he then wanted to know and Harry nodded as he rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses.

"Not too cold?"

"Nope with Bone anyway," Harry said, grinning.

"All right, then, come and have breakfast!" said Paul, taking the child's hand.

"I really get to go?" asked Harry, eyes shining as they just finished breakfast.

"Yes, and not just today. We have to think of something, it's too cold under your bridge," said Andrew.

"I'll watch out!" said Harry, grinning.

"I know that, and while we're there, let's put you in the shower again," Paul said, ruffling the child's tangled black hair.

"Oh no," this one whined.

"Oh yes you are and if anyone asks, you're my nephew and we'll look after you while your mum is at work, okay?"

"Okay ...", Harry said with a sigh.

"Let's go then, it's still early, the showers are hardly visited," Max said, stood up and put out the fire in the stove.

They were quickly at the station. Harry hardly stood out on there way. Those who didn't know them thought they were just ordinary citizens on their way to the station. As they entered the building, a pleasant warmth immediately surrounded them. Sure it wasn't really heated here, but there was no icy wind blowing and the warmth from the shops made it comfortable, much more comfortable than outside in any case.

"All right, you guys go take a shower and I'll see if I can fork out a new scarf for the dwarf at Sally's," Max said and walked towards the station mission.

"Alright little one, come with me and you go to our place?", Paul wanted to know.

"Sure, see you in a minute," Andrew said and went with Mary to their place very close to the big restaurant, just opposite the Salvation Army.
The showers in the station were for travellers who had an extended stay or even train drivers who did double shifts. It only cost a few pounds and for that you got your own little wet room with shower, sink and toilet. Paul threw the coins into the electronic lock and entered the tiled premises with Harry by the hand. Max was right - there was no one here at this early hour.

"Come on, we'll take these," Paul said and pushed Harry into the small bathroom. He locked the door and set the backpack down. Harry, meanwhile, was already taking off his clothes. It took a while, because in winter he wore extra clothes so he wouldn't get cold, which was usually the case anyway. Paul looked at the child thoughtfully. Harry was still far too thin, even though they got him enough food. The scars on his back had become paler over time, but still bore witness to the suffering he had experienced. Paul also took off his thick coat now. When Harry had finished, he too wanted a quick shower. As with the child, his last shower had been over a week ago. While Harry also took off his pants, Paul turned on the water and waited until it was warm enough.

"Come on, get down," he said, and Harry got under the warm water.

"And wash properly, including your hair," the man said sternly, fishing from his backpack, the shower bath and handing it to Harry before closing the shower door.

"Pauli?" the boy called after a while.

"What is it?"

"Are you worried?"

"What makes you think that now? You're supposed to wash!"

"I am," said Harry.

"So how do you mean that?"

"I don't know, you and Andrew have been so serious since yesterday," Harry said and turned off the tap. Sighing, Paul opened the shower door and wrapped a towel around the boy before setting him on the tiles and drying his hair.

"Don't worry, it's all good," he said.

"Really?"

"Yes, really and now get dressed and I'll have a quick shower," he said. Harry nodded and did as he was told while Paul got into the shower. When he was done, he too quickly dried his hair and slipped into new clothes. Harry meanwhile sat on the small wooden bench in the bathroom and waited.

"So done. Come on, let's see if Max could get you a new scarf," he then said, putting his backpack back on and leaving the sanitary facilities with Harry by the hand.

"So this is all I have. Should be suitable for a child, though," said Sally Underwood and pressed a burgundy scarf with yellow stripes into Max's hand.

"Oh you are a treasure!" the man said smiling.

"Do you need anything else?" the woman wanted to know and Max shook his head.

"I don't think so," he said.

"All right, but come and eat something later. We're having fish and chips today," the woman said. Max nodded thoughtfully.

"Um ... yes with pleasure, we have a child with us today," he said, visibly embarrassed.

"A child?"

"Yahh ... yes so it's Pauli's nephew, his mother has to work and we're looking after him for so long."

"Aha, well in that case, the little one can wait here too and eat of course," said Sally.

"Yes, well, I think Paul wants the boy with him, but I suggest it to him. We'll be happy to come for dinner, of course."

"How old is he?" the woman wanted to know.

"Nine, but I should go then. See you later," Max said quickly and raised his arm in greeting before disappearing. He felt guilty, partly because he had lied to Sally and partly because he didn't know if Paul and Andrew approved of him telling Sally about Harry. When he got to their usual place, Paul was sitting next to Andrew and Mary, Bone at their feet. He could not spot Harry at first glance.

"Where is the dwarf?" he wanted to know.

"Here," sounded from behind the three of them. Harry was lying half under a blanket and grinning. He had a colouring book in front of him.

"Aha, now that's a good hiding place, I wouldn't have seen you. Look what old Max has for you," the man said and handed Harry the scarf. The boy beamed.

"It's really nice," he said, pulling the old ragged scarf off his neck and putting on the new one.

"Yeah, really fancy," Paul said with a smile.

"Now go back to your hiding spot," said Mary, waving her hand through Harry's hair. The boy nodded, lay back on his stomach and coloured. Max sat down next to Paul and nodded with a smile at a passer-by who had just thrown a pair of coins into their cup.

"Sally says we should come for dinner later. Fish and chips are on the menu today," he said.

"Sounds good, we can go one at a time and bring Harry something," Paul said.

"Um ... well, we can take him too, I told Sally we'd look after your nephew today," Max said sheepishly.

"Oh Max ...", Paul groaned.

"Yes, sorry but I didn't want to lie to her and I'm sure she would have seen him anyway," said the other.

"It's OK Max, you meant well and it doesn't matter, Sally won't say anything," Andrew said and put a hand on Paul's forearm placatingly.

The morning passed quickly. This close to Christmas, people were really more generous and so the four's cups filled up very quickly. Around noon, Paul stretched and looked at Harry, who was still painting hidden behind them.

"Are you hungry, little one?" he wanted to know.

"Yes, a little bit," said the boy and put the pencils on the side.

"All right, let's go then. Who first?" Andrew wanted to know.

"You go ahead with him, I'm not that hungry," Mary said and Max nodded too.

"Yes do, we'll go after you then," he said.

Andrew and Paul walked with Harry the few metres to the mission of the Salvation Army. The room was still sparsely occupied, most of the homeless would only come in the evening to get something warm to eat.

"Ah Paul, Andrew, good to see you," Sally Underwood came up to them and immediately her eyes fell on Harry, who was hiding behind Paul a little sheepishly.

"Hello Sally, this ... so this is Harry," the man said. The woman leaned towards the child and smiled.

"Hello Harry, I'm Sally and I see the beautiful scarf was for you," Harry now nodded tentatively.

"Well, come along then. You all look hungry," Sally then said and led them to a table at the back of the room before turning her attention back to other things.

"I'll get something quickly," Andrew said and disappeared to the food counter. Harry looked around with interest. He had never been here before, but knew who Sally was and that almost all his things came from here. Before he could take a closer look, Andrew came back and put a plate of baked fish fillet and chips in front of him.

"Cool!" said Harry and immediately began to eat.

"Enjoy it," Paul said with a smile. They ate more often at the mission, because they always got some leftovers here, too, which they then took and warmed up Harry on the stove. Otherwise their money was usually only enough for sandwiches and some fruit.

"Look, here's something else for you," Sally had joined them again and placed a steaming cup on the table in front of Harry. The boy, who had just finished his meal, beamed.

"Th-thank you!" he said, reaching for the hot cocoa.

"I'd love to," the woman said, stroking Harry's head.

"Tell Paul, do you have a minute," she then asked. The man looked at his partner who nodded and Paul followed Sally.

"So, this is really your nephew?" she wanted to know as they stood a little apart.

"Um ... yes ..."

"Come on, don't lie to me, I've known you for almost 20 years," she then said sternly.

"Sally I ... I can't..."

"Pauli, you know I would never hurt you, Andrew or the others, but I want to know the truth. The child things Max getting here since last year, they are for Harry, aren't they?", Paul sighed deeply and then nodded. In short sentences he told what had happened in the last year and a half. At the end, the older woman rubbed the bridge of her nose and looked at the child, who in the meantime was curled up on the chair and asleep.

"Pauli, what were you thinking?"

"Sally, no one misses him, he has suffered terribly and he trusts us, sees us as his family."

"I understand you ... you, but he's a child. He shouldn't grow up on the streets. You know how hard that is sometimes," Sally said pleadingly.

"I know, but I ... I can't give him up, I can't bear it," Paul said now and tears gathered in his eyes. Gently, Sally stroked his arm.

"All right, so listen. He can spend the days until New Year's Eve here with me. Until the holidays are over, I'll be here alone until evening. I'll say he's a great-nephew of mine. It's warm here and he gets something to eat. I'll give you some new warm clothes for him and two more blankets. But in the new year, we'll all figure out together what to do next. I'll do some research to see if he really isn't missing and here ...", Sally reached into her trouser pocket and pressed a few silver tokens into Paul's hand.

"This is for the washrooms. Hot showers are good for all of you with the cold nights," she said with a smile.

"Th-Thank you Sally, I don't know how to thank you," Paul said, touched.

"Leave it. So bring him here in the morning and he can stay today. What does he like?"

"Um ... he likes to draw and read," Paul said and Sally nodded.

"Well, you have to pick him up here at eight, then the night shift will come," the woman said.

"We will and ... and thank you Sally," Paul said, hugging Sally quickly before going back to Andrew and Harry.

"You told her everything, didn't you?", Andrew wanted to know and his partner nodded.

"Yes, but she's helping us. Harry can stay with her until evening and she has given us shower tokens."

"She won't say anything?"

"No, but ... but she wants us to look for a solution for him together in the new year," Paul said and stroked Harry's head. Andrew nodded but said nothing.

"Harry? Harry, wake up," Paul now said softly and the boy rubbed his eyes.

"You can go right back to sleep. Listen to me carefully. You stay here with Sally today, it's nice and warm here and you can paint. What do you say?" The child was immediately wide awake and sat up.

"N-No, I want to stay with you, I don't want to leave," he said quivering. Paul immediately put a hand on his cheek.

"Hey, don't worry, we'll pick you up again tonight. We won't leave you alone, we promised you that. Sally is very nice and you can see us from here," he said and pointed to the exit, through whose large windows one could see into the station hall.

"We promise we'll come back for you, don't be afraid," Andrew now said. Harry nodded after a few moments and wiped his eyes. At that moment Sally came to the table.

"Hey Harry, look I've got some colouring books and pens for you, what do you say?" she said with a smile. The boy looked uncertainly at Andrew and Paul, then nodded shyly.

"Um ... thank you," he said.

"I'd love to, feel free to sit here or if you're tired, there's a comfortable couch in my office."

"I'd rather paint," Harry said quietly and Sally nodded.

"Then do that, if there's anything, just shout and if you're hungry or thirsty, that's fine too, okay?"

"O-Okay," the child said and Sally nodded and left the table again.

"Well, we'll be off then and don't be afraid, nothing will happen to you here," Andrew said, stroking Harry's cheek and standing up.

"We'll come back for you in a few hours, be good," Paul said and gave Harry a kiss on the forehead. Harry clung to the collar of the man's jacket.

"P-please come back," he pleaded. Paul released the boy's hands from him and knelt in front of him. Gently, he took the child's face in his hands.

"Harry, I made you a promise and I'm going to keep it. Have I ever lied to you?", Harry shook his head.

"See. I'll pick you up here again and eat and drink please, okay?"

"I-I will," Harry said and Paul stood up smiling.

"That's it," he said, stroking the child's cheek one last time and then leaving the mission with Andrew. Harry sighed deeply and looked after the men before reaching for one of the notebooks and starting to draw.

"Leave it Pauli, he's fine," Mary said. The man stretched his neck to discover Harry in the mission.

"Yes I know and yet ... what if Sally ..."

"Hey, don't do that. She won't say anything, you know Sally, she would never do something like that," Max said energetically.

"I know," Paul said and smiled wanly. It was early evening by now and in an hour at the latest, she wanted to leave. The day had been worth it. The money would be enough for dinner and some food for the camp. Paul's gaze wandered back to the mission, which was being advised by a tall man in a long black coat.

"Hello Sally, I'm back. I've sorted out a few things," said the man, with the long coat and elegant black shoes. The woman came forward from behind the counter and smiled.

"Ah Mr Snape, nice to see you again, it must have been a few months," she said. The man nodded and handed the woman a box.

"You know I work at a boarding school, I only came home a few days ago," he said, letting his eyes wander around the currently empty room until his eyes lingered on the little boy sitting in a corner at a table, now looking anxiously at the man.

Severus Snape swallowed hard and for a moment he felt as if his heart would stop.