Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, Benedict Cumberbatch would play Snape, Harry, along with several other hot boys, would get 'private tutoring' during sixth year, and my fellow witches would all enjoy front row seats to Snape earning the title of 'Half Blood Prince'. Oh, and Tom would look like he does in second year, and eventually join the harem, while bringing in a few BDSM kinks. Since none of this has happened in the actual series, then I trust everyone to be smart enough to know that I only own the bill for my college classes.

|||(•)|||

"If my normal isn't normal, how am I supposed to know?"

Harry Potter's thoughts have always been like an uneven see-saw, but, when his life was constantly unstable, it was perfectly understandable. After all, extreme situations merit extreme reactions, right? However, it seems that the prophecy forgot to mention that killing the world's greatest enemy would unleash his own. What happens when Harry finds out that no one can save him from the person just dying to hurt him

|||(•)|||

"Harry?" Remus called through the door, trying to keep the worry out of his voice. "Cub, I'm going to have to come in if you don't answer the door." The sound of a muffled swear, followed by footsteps and the opening of a closet door, revealed that Harry was in his room, and probably still in his pajamas. Fabric continued to rustle until the door was opened by a slightly disheveled Harry. If the guilty smile on his face was anything to go by, Remus knew that he was at least partially aware of why he'd come to talk. After motioning for Harry to follow, he lead the way to the sitting room, where Sirius was already fidgeting in his seat. When he looked up, Harry wouldn't meet his eyes, as shame for making them both upset increased his feelings of guilt.

"Hey pup, how are you doing?" Sirius asked, trying to at least get a response from Harry.

"Fine Siri, I was reading in my room and just didn't even notice the time. Sorry for making you both worry, I really should get out of my room more," Harry said, with an apologetic smile.

"Cub, it's fine to read, but are you sure you're alright? I didn't see you at all today, and it's almost three in the afternoon. Did you even grab something to eat?" Remus saw the way the his face faltered for a moment at his questions before it turned sheepish as Harry looked away.

"I had breakfast around nine, but I'm not really hungry for lunch," was the rushed reply. Both men looked at each other, wanting to believe him, but knowing that something was wrong with that statement.

"You need to eat pup, it's not healthy to skip meals. Just something small, alright? KREACHER!" Sirius bellowed, and the disgruntled house elf arrived with a sharp crack.

"What does Kreacher's awful master want now? Kreacher is busy tending to Mistress' portrait!"

"To give you clothes," he dead panned, "But right now, I want you to go grab a quick lunch for Harry. Merlin knows he barely took a bite from his toast this morning." At that, Kreacher's face scrunched up in what could pass for a contemplative, or constipated, look. "What's wrong?" Sirius asked, curious as to why the usually derisive elf looked confused. As they spoke, Remus noticed that Harry looked as if he were trying to stupefy Kreacher with his eyes alone.

"Kreacher did not make stupid master's awful godson toast," Kreacher said.

"Well what did you make him?" Remus asked, eyes focused on Harry, who was turned to the door as if getting ready to bolt.

"Kreacher didn't make stupid master's awful godson anything, because Kreacher was never called! Kreacher was told never to come unless called, and Kreacher has not been called in days!" screeched the, now irritated, house elf. At this, Harry quickly rose and tried to sprint for the door. All those years of 'Harry Hunting' gave him the speed to out strip almost anyone, but, sadly for him, Sirius had been paying more attention than he thought, and snagged him by the arm before he could get past. Grey looked into green, and after a moment, Harry slumped back into his chair in defeat.

"Kreacher, do you mean to say that the only time you've seen Harry is when serving dinner?" Remus was loathe to fully confirm his worries, but things could not continue the way they were.

"Yes! Kreacher is telling stupid Master's annoying consort that Kreacher is not seeing his awful godson unless at dinner!"

"Remus isn't the consort," Harry muttered.

"HARRY!" Sirius squeaked, suddenly resembling a very ripe tomato.

"What?" Harry did his best to look innocent. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, although a quick silencing charm would be nice," he made a face, "I don't really need to hear how happily married you two are." A sputtering Sirius was a sight to see, and Remus, having joined the tomato club, was only doing slightly better. Kreacher chose this moment to leave with a resounding crack, thus dragging the adults out of their embarrassed silence.

"Alright, point taken. Silencing charms are now a requirement, but that is not getting you out of this conversation young man." Remus, having finally tamed his blush, looked directly at the fidgeting teenager.

"He's right Harry. We want to help, but you need to talk for us to do that. I know there's a reason, so can you tell us, please?" Let it be said that this was one of the rare moments where Sirius was true to his name.

"It's nothing really, I just don't feel hungry during the day," Harry said.

"Funny, considering that I can hear your stomach from here," Remus said disapprovingly. Harry had the decency to look abashed at being caught in his lie, but was no more forthcoming than before. Seeing that they were still getting nowhere, Remus reached out and gently turned Harry's head until he had no choice but to look him in the eyes. "Cub, I don't like being lied to anymore than you do. That being said, I know that this has to be hard for you, so I'm trying to be understanding. Could you please tell us why you've been skipping meals? I promise not to be angry, no matter what, and we both know that Sirius couldn't so much as try to get upset with you."

Seeing his godfather nod in agreement made Harry feel slightly less agitated, but he also knew that the truth could result in extenuating circumstances. If they knew exactly why he was so anxious about certain things, they were guaranteed to lose their tempers, and he wasn't sure that he could cope without resorting to drastic measures. Just thinking about it made him fall into his old habit of breathing so softly that no one else could hear him. From the ripe age of three, Vernon had come up with several creative punishments for when he was 'disturbing the family with his freakish presence' by being too loud. Considering that being forced to drink copious amounts of salt water before being locked overnight in the cupboard was the best case scenario, it's no wonder he quickly mastered this skill. Freaks were burdens that were lucky to be given anything, so it was rude and ungrateful of him to remind them that they had to tolerate his presence in the first place.

Feeling someone shake him, Harry reacted on instinct and went perfectly still, remembering to keep his breathing near silent. The last thing he needed was to make Vernon think that he would react more than usual, because that would excite him more and possibly change punishment to 'play time'.

"Harry?!" Said teenager knew to never ignore someone demanding his attention, and so replied with a quick 'Yes sir.' As another hand pulled him into a hug,

The body holding him felt different from his Uncle, for one, there was no gelatinous mass threatening to suffocate him while hands started to explore, but the person holding him was still undeniably male. This wouldn't be the first time that someone else was allowed to 'play,' and, while it was always worse after months of being safe, at least with most of his Uncle's friends, he'd held some small hope that he could escape if they got too rough. This man was far too strong though, his arms were steel bands wrapped around him just this side of too tight, and Harry could feel the tension building in his limbs. Try as he might to control it, Harry's breathing sped up. He fell into a pattern of holding his breath between short bouts of hyperventilation as the roaring in his ears told him that his heart was beating against its cage as furiously as Hedwig would to escape her own. Harry could hear the anxiety in the man's voice, probably worried that he'd broken Vernon's favorite 'toy', which he knew would cost extra. He knew his Uncle liked sharing him, and loved selling him, but only if he was still kept in enough pieces to satisfy him when the other party was done. A hysterical giggle almost escaped at the thought that the only time any of his so-called 'family' gave two bloody shits about him was when he wasn't able to function as his Uncle's glory hole.

Wanting to help, Sirius pulled Harry onto his lap and started rubbing circles on his back, not realizing that it would be the straw that broke the camel's back. No matter how well adjusted he was to the abysmal conditions he had to endure, between the lack of nutrients, sleep and oxygen, Harry's body just didn't have enough energy to maintain an extreme stress response for any length of time. With his eyes welded shut, he couldn't see the darkness creeping around his vision, but it was welcomed all the same. Before it claimed him, Harry wondered what the man holding him would do while he was unconscious. He was trying to decide whether there was a chance that he'd just let him sleep when he finally passed out.

|||(•)|||

Author's note: So this is my first ever work of fanfiction. I really want to work on writing this one so that I can get the skills that I need for some of the ideas I have for my original works. I am the first to admit that, while I love starting new projects, I suck at actually finishing things. Therefore, if you like this story so far, please tell me, and don't be afraid to tell me about any changes I should make, or ideas on how to go ahead. I don't have this story planned out, so deciding on what happens next might take a few days. In the future I'll try to set an update schedule, but until then, things will be sporadic. Lots of love to all the readers on this site, and I hope you enjoy this story!

PS: flames will be used to roast marshmallows for smores.