Hello there! So this is the beginning of my second story on fanfic. If you have read my first story...just a little word to the wise...this is completely different. Also...I know I was insane with fast updates on the last story. This story will actually be a little more slower update wise. Anyways... this story's title is based on the song Fall by Clay Walker. I hope you enjoy it!

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Soft, determined footsteps echoed off the cold stonewall of a dark hall deep underground. At the end of the hall was a solid wood door with an iron lock. The shadowed figure took a deep breath and slipped out the metal key that he had taken from its owner. The lock clicked open and Draco Malfoy slipped into the room. On the floor, shivering and naked, was the prone body of Harry Potter.

"Oh my God Potter, what did he do to you?" Draco whispered to the unconscious boy.

The boy had been held captive for two weeks. His body was littered with cuts, burns, and bruises. Malfoy had heard from easedropping on his father that Harry had been raped multiple times by the death eaters. Harry was curled up in the farthest corner from the door. Draco kneeled down by the boy and tried to wake him.

"Potter, you need to get up. We don't have much time," Malfoy hissed.

Harry did not stir and Draco was getting worried. The blonde rose and checked to hallway once more before returning to Harry's side. Quickly taking off his cloak, Draco wrapped it around Harry's unconscious form and lifted him into his arms. Although the two boys were the same age, Harry would considerably lighter and smaller than the blonde. Silently, Draco closed the door to Harry's prison and headed back down the hall.

When Draco reached the entrance to the dungeons he paused and checked for his father. Draco knew that he was probably still at the ministry, but he didn't want to take any chances. When Draco had returned home from Hogwarts last week, his father reminded him of his position. He was the son of a loyal death eater and he was expected to take that role in a year. Privately, Draco did not want anything to do with Voldemort. He had gone to the headmaster with a plea for protection. When Harry was kidnapped on the last Hogsmeade weekend of the term, Draco was eager to help find him. The next day, the blonde had received a letter from his father boasting about the capture and torture of their enemy. It had taken two weeks to work out the rescue plans. Draco had quickly offered his services to retrieve his classmate since Harry was being held in his home.

Seeing that the coast was clear, Draco hurried to the front door. Draco saw Severus waiting for him on the other side of the wards. He knew that as soon as he crossed them with Harry, he could never return home. The wards kept a running record of all who crossed through them and would show his betrayal to his father.

As the boys crossed the wards of Malfoy Manor, Severus rushed to their sides and silently took Harry from Draco. Draco turned to take one last look at his home for the last fourteen years. Severus understood the sacrafice that the boy had just made and promised to himself that he would never abandon his godson.

Placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder, he whispered "Come, we must go lest we be caught."

The teen nodded and grabbed onto his godfather's arm. Without a word, the trio apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts.

Once the three made it into the castle, Severus guided their way to his quarters. It was decided beforehand that Harry and Draco would stay with the potions master for their protection. Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore were already waiting in his living room when they entered.

"Sir, Poppy" Severus greeted while walking into the room designated for Harry.

The other three people followed the man into the room. As soon as the boy was laid down on the bed, the nurse went into action. "Severus, grab some warm water and a cloth. I need you to clean him up after I am done healing him."

The potions master exited the room only to return a few moments later with the requested items. Poppy was busy casting diagnostic scans and healing spells on the boy to notice his reappearance. Ten minutes later, the nurse stepped back and addressed the group. "He will be okay. The scan I ran showed that he had three broken ribs, a broken ankle, multiple cuts and bruise, and he has been rape multiple times. He has also been starved and kept in near darkness for most of his time there. I'm not sure how he will be mentally and emotionally, we will have to wait until he awakes. Severus, he will need many potions when he wakes including pain relievers, strengthening potions, nourishment elixers, bruise creams, and dreamless sleeps. I will leave a list of food he can eat for the first couple of weeks. I would rather have him on a liquid diet for the first couple of days though."

The three men looked at the nurse during her announcement. Dumbledore was looking at the boy with a sorrow filled look, Severus had his emotions masked, and Draco looked like he was trying to hold his tears in. Seeing the blonde's face, the nurse turned to the two men. "I think it is time that we left, and young Mr. Malfoy should be given a dreamless sleep and sent to bed."

This statement snapped Severus out of his thoughts and he turned to look at his godson. Draco had not taken his eyes off of Harry and was startled when his godfather wrapped him in a hug.

"Draco, are you alright?" the potions master asked gently.

Draco looked at the man with tear-filled eyes and shook his head in the negative. He then threw his arms around his godfather's waist and began crying.

"Shhh….I got you. Nothing is going to hurt you or Harry again. I won't let it happen," Severus murmmered into his godson's hair. "Lets' get you to bed. Everything will look better in the morning."

The two exited the room after Severus excused themselves. Fifteen minutes later, Severus returned without Draco.

"I gave him a dreamless sleep. He should wake in the morning."

The headmaster nodded at the comment and then excused himself to his quarters. The nurse moved to follow after giving Severus some last minute instructions. "When he first wakes, give him something to eat and then give him the potions I mentioned before. He will probably be a little disoriented and frightened at first, so make sure to speak to him softly. I will be back in the morning to check on both the boys."

"Thank you Poppy for everything," Severus whispered.

"No problem"

After the nurse left, Severus began the task of cleaning the boy up. His body was covered in dried blood and grime from his two-week imprisonment. It took the man about half an hour to clean him and finally dress him in the pajamas he found in Harry's trunk. When Severus had agreed to keep Harry, his trunk was sent down from Gryffindor. The potions master was surprised at the state of Harry's clothing. They were nothing but huge rags and the potions master was determined to change that as soon as possible. Once his task was finished, Severus tucked the child into bed and placed a charm that would alert him if Harry needed him. The potions master then headed to bed.

About four hours later, the charm that Severus casted on Harry went off. Slipping on his sleeping robe, Severus hurried into Harry's room. The sight that met his eyes was horrifying. Harry was tangled in his bedding and looked like he was trying to get away from an invisible captor. He had tears pouring from his eyes and was begging the person in his nightmare to stop.

Severus rushed to Harry's bed and tried to wake the boy. He was unsure whether he should touch the boy, but when Harry would not wake to his calling, he was left with no other choice. The potions master climbed onto the bed and scooped Harry into his arms.

"On come child, wake up. You are safe here. No one is going to hurt you. You're at Hogwarts with Professor Snape. It's just a nightmare. I've got you now," Severus kept a steady flow of reassurance as he tried to wake the boy. Eventually, Harry did wake and was startled to find himself being held. Not yet comprehending where he was or who was holding him, Harry started to fight against the arms holding him.

"Shhh, Harry….you are okay. I'm not going to hurt you. You are safe and at Hogwarts."

Harry turned fearful eyes to the voice and was relieved to find his potions professor holding him. Severus saw recognition flash in Harry's eyes and was glad that the boy had not gone insane. Severus then rose from the bed with Harry still in his arms. He conjured a rocking chair from a random sock he found in Harry's trunk and sat down. The potions master then positioned Harry more comfortably in his lap and called for a house elf.

"Yes, Professor Master Snape! Whats cans Lola bes gettings yous?"

"Lola, can you please bring me some warm milk and the potions sitting on the table in the living room. Put the warm milk in the bottle for me please."

"Right aways sir!" the house elf chripped. Two minutes later, the warm milk and potions popped onto the side table next to the chair.

The potions master then turned his focus back to the boy in his lap. Harry was still looking at Severus with wary eyes. "Harry, do you know where you are?"

Harry did not give a vocal answer, but instead nodded his head.

"Good, then you know you are safe. I will never hurt you, nor will anyone that enters these rooms. I'm going to be taking care of you from now on. The first thing that we need to do is get you some food and some potions. I have some warm milk for you, do you want it?"

Again, Harry simply nodded.

When Severus grabbed the bottle and presented it to the boy, Harry scrunched up his face. The potions master gently chuckled at the child's reaction and explained, "Harry, the bottle is used for patients that are either extremely weak or need to have a regulated intake of liquids in order to avoid stomach problems. You are both weak from the ordeal and need to monitor your food intake right now. I will even admit that I have had to drink from this bottle. Madame Pomfrey wants you on a liquid diet for the next few days and you will most likely have to drink for this again. I promise that I will never use this against you."

Harry nodded his understanding and silently opened his mouth to allow the bottle in. As soon as the bottle was in his mouth, Harry latched onto the nipple and began sucking. Severus sat holding the bottle and feeding Harry like he was a baby. The man could not deny the feeling of a bond with the child as he watched Harry drinking. Harry had closed his eyes during the bottle and subconsciously snuggled deeper into his professor's arms. Once the boy was done with the milk, Severus feed him the potions and resumed in rocking him. Harry fell back asleep shortly after his first meal in two-weeks.

Severus stayed rocking Harry even after the boy had fallen asleep for about thirty minutes. He then rose from the chair and tucked Harry back into bed. Before the man left the room, he replaced the charm and brushed his hand through the youth's hair.

When Severus returned to his bed, he could sleep. His life had changed quite a bit these last two weeks. After Harry was kidnapped, the truth about his home-life came out when Severus was sent to his relative to explain everything. He was shocked at the happy reactions of his aunt and uncle when he informed them that the boy would not be returning to them that summer. Once the potions professor returned from his errand, he reported his findings to the headmaster. The week leading up to the rescue was filled with preparations with the plan and obtaining guardianship papers for both Draco and Harry. Severus added two bedrooms to his quarters. He was prepared to take care of both boys, but he wasn't planning to actually care for the Gryffindor. That all changed when he saw him that afternoon. Unknown to both boys, Severus was wrapped around their fingers.

Author's Note: Okay... so I know some of you will think the bottle thing is kinda weird, but I wanted to use it as a tool for bonding. The same with the rocking chair... which will make an appearance multiple times in the story. I tried to explain why Severus was willing to care for Harry and let him stay with him. Let me know what you think so far...meaning...REVIEW! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! The next chapter will see Harry's reaction to Severus now that he is more awake and to others.