Growing Love

Food and Potions

"Harry we are alone. Can you tell me about what your Uncle says?" Blaise rubbed Harry's back.

As soon as he left the hospital wing Harry looked up at him. That surprised Blaise because he thought the boy was asleep. He wondered what was going on. Since he wasn't there for Neville's explanation.

"I no get huwt?"

"No munchkin. I promise. Can you please tell me?"

"Uncwe Vewnon. He huwt me when Dudwey say I took his toy. But I nevew. I nevew touch Dudwey tings. Because if I do I get 'unisht and I don't wike dat. But Uncwe Vewnon doesn't wisten to fweaks. I no eat unwess I eawn it and that hawdwy happens. I not awoud to touch tings dat can bwake. And on my bifday I can go into da kitchen. Den I wil make da food fow Uncwe Vewnon. I not awowed to make noise and I onwy awowed to be seen when Uncwe Vewnon cawl to 'unish me. I do washing and cweaning da house. Uncwe Vewnon say I must be happy I not swix yet."

"Harry listen. I want you to talk to me okay. I don't care where we are. If you want to talk then talk. You will eat everyday as much as you can. And you will never get punished. No more Uncle Vernon ever. Am I clear?" Blaise said as he approached a door.

Harry nodded. "I sweep in cupboawd?"

Blaise looked at him surprised. "What? No you will sleep on a bed in a room."

"Weally?"

"Yes."

Harry chewed his lip. "I... I sweep wif you?"

Blaise looked at him. Seeing the fear in his eyes. Blaise smiled and kissed Harry's forehead. Harry gasped and covered his mouth with his hands.

"You can sleep with me if you wish. Why are you covering your mouth Harry?"

"You kiss me on head. An't Pe... Petu... Petunia say only good boy get kiss like dat. I wasn't good." Harry started crying again.

Blaise rocked Harry as he made his way over to a couch in the room he was now occupying. He sat down and rocked Harry. He patted Harry's back gently.

"You were a good boy Harry. Shhh it's okay. I'm here. Can you take some medicine for me so you can feel even better?" Blaise wiped Harry's tears.

Harry nodded. Blaise handed him the vials one after the other. Harry drank them making funny faces and Blaise laughed. Harry smiled softly then pulled the smile off his face. Blaise noticed.

"Harry you can be happy and smile. I'm proud of you for taking all of those disgusting potions. You were such a good boy. How about a little reward? How does some sweets sound?"

Harry's eyes went big. "I have sweet. Fow me."

Blaise chuckled. "Yes munchkin. For you. Come on it's almost time for lunch let's go eat and then I'll give you a few sweets. But you have to eat something first. Promise you will?"

Harry nodded. Draco was outside when they left the quarters. Harry immediately buried his head into Blaise's shoulder. Turning away from Draco.

"Harry. This is my best friend Draco. Say hi. He won't hurt you." Blaise said.

Harry looked at Draco and Draco offered a gentle smile. Harry smiled back then hid in Blaise's shoulder again.

"I came straight here. After we spoke with Neville. Neville knows... about his past I mean." Draco said as they walked to the great Hall. "Dumbledore woke up not to long ago. And Pomfrey asked me to give this to you. It's to make him hungry so he can eat."

"Thank you Draco. I think it's best of we keep Harry away from that old man." Standing outside of the door Blaise looked at Harry. "There are going to be a lot of people here like this morning. But remember. I won't let anything bad happen."

Harry nodded and they walked in. Harry was holding onto Blaise like it was the end of the world. The group of Gryffindor's from earlier met them at the door. Hermione looked confused. Ron was pissed. Ginny annoyed. Dean and Seamus concerned. Neville was somewhat happy.

"Give him here you slimy snake." Ginny yelled.

It was Neville, to everyone's surprise, who responded. "Ginny leave him alone. He's happy with Blaise. Much happier than he could ever be with you. Even as 16 year old him. I just have one question though. Am I allowed to visit him and make sure he's okay?"

Blaise ignored the rest. "Well it's really up to Harry. You're welcome to sit with us. I will not sit with the Gryffindor's. Harry won't even talk to Draco. So you can only try."

"That's because he knows he's a slimy snake." Ron spat. "Give him to us and leave."

This time it was Hermione. "Shut up Ronald. This is probably your fault. Harry trusts Blaise. And like Neville said. He's happy. Blaise would I be allowed to sit with you as well?"

Blaise nodded and walked past the lot to sit. He shifted Harry in his lap and started dishing up for the two of them. He cut Harry's food.

"Harry I have one more potion for you. Can you take it for me?" Harry nodded and opened his mouth like he had for the others.

Blaise poured the potion into Harry's mouth. Harry pulled his face and smiled at Blaise. He was hoping for approval and Blaise didn't let him down.

"Well done munchkin. I'm so proud. Come now eat."

"It was yucky." Harry said.

Immediately Harry covered his mouth and looked at Blaise. Blaise smiled and took his hands away.

"Harry you are allowed to speak remember. And I know the potion was yucky. But you can eat now and we can go raid Draco's cupboard afterwards." Blaise said.

Harry looked wide eyed at Draco. Sensing the hesitation Blaise shot Draco a pleading look. Harry looked at Blaise again and barely whispered.

"He gon be angwy."

Draco smiled. "No I won't. I bet I know what you will be looking for. I have a lot of sweets in there. Maybe we can taste all of them and find your favorite."

Harry turned to Blaise. His eyes were wide. Excitement and pure joy. Blaise smiled and rubbed his back.

"Eat munchkin. And when I have the chance I will get you your very own sweets."

Harry nodded content. Blaise started feeding him and five fork fulls later Harry wouldn't eat anything more. Blaise asked why he wasn't eating only to realize that Harry had a very bad appetite. Even the potion didn't help much. He ate his food while gently bouncing Harry. When he was done they waited for Draco.

When they stood up Harry pulled on Blaise's robes. "Can he cawwy me? Pwease. Wil I be in twoubwe?"

Blaise looked at Draco. "Why don't you ask him."

"I sowwy. I didn't know I can't ask." Harry said.

"Harry you can ask. But you have to ask him." Blaise said looking at Harry.

Harry shook his head and buried it in Blaise's neck. He started crying. Draco turned around with a question. Blaise just shook his head.

*~*

Harry was asleep on Blaise's chest as he sat with Draco in the lounge area of their room. Draco was sitting on the edge of his seat watching Harry. He looked at Blaise and sighed. He wasn't sure if he should ask about earlier.

"I know you want to ask. Harry wanted you to carry him. He thought he was in trouble when I told him I couldn't ask for him." Blaise said.