Chapter 4
‘Harry – what’s going on? Have they done something to you, Harry?! Harry!’ The man was shouting by the end, as fear swamped Harry, and he felt reality begin to slip away.
He didn’t know where he was, but he knew that Uncle Vernon – no, Dudley and his gang – no… someone was angry. Someone was so, so angry, and he’d cop it this time. This time, they’d… they’d….
He shook with terror, eyes wide and unseeing. His lips moved with unspoken words, fingers gripping the couch so hard it was at risk of tearing.
He was distantly aware of a warm light near his side, something soothing and safe, but he couldn’t make himself move towards it, couldn’t reach out, couldn’t control his body enough to even curl up before they attacked him, whoever they were. Another warmth on his other side, less than the first, but still there, still safe… only they were both moving further away now, both moving out of reach.
Before his panic could grow any further, there was something in front of him. His unseeing eyes stared right through it, but something in his soul knew it was there.
A low sound, soft and soothing, began to fill his ears.
He struggled against the tide of terror, the ringing in his ears, trying to listen to the new sound. It took a while, but he thought perhaps he could make out some of it.
‘…right, darling, you’re safe, nothing will hurt you here. It’s alright, Harry, come back when you are ready. I’m here, sweetheart, and I’ll protect you. I made you a Vow, Harry, and I will always protect you. Come back, little love, it’s safe, I promise. Harry – Harry, can you look at me? Eyes on me, little one, that’s it.’
Icy blue but so warm, so filled with… with love?
Icy blue and looking at him in such a gentle way, how could he possibly be afraid?
He could still feel fear swirling and crushing in his chest, but the eyes were there – they were right there, right in front of him, and they were safe.
Harry blinked hard, and suddenly it was Uncle Lucius before him.
Uncle Lucius with his hands reaching out slowly, carefully.
Uncle Lucius giving him time to pull away – but Harry didn’t want to pull away.
Uncle Lucius’ icy blue eyes, love and concern and compassion pouring from them and directed at him, at Harry…
Harry shuffled forward into Lucius’ outstretched arms and tucked his face into Uncle Lucius’ neck as he was scooped up and carried away.
‘So brave, sweetheart, so brave and courageous. Well done, little one. Nothing to fear, now, Harry. Let’s go have a cup of tea, and everything will be alright again. I’m right with you, sweetheart, and I will keep you safe. You have my word. Come now, time for tea, and maybe a sneaky biscuit, while Cissa is busy telling off your naughty Uncle Sirius for scaring you. Everything is okay, my darling. You’re safe.’
Harry’s arms tightened, his face pressing harder into Uncle Lucius’ chest for a moment before he relaxed again.
‘Thanks, Uncle Luc.’ He murmured.
Uncle Lucius’ breath hitched, and he gave Harry a little squeeze in return. ‘Anything for you, sweetheart.’