Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hello everyone. 

So new story up. Those who are reading or came from PETS don’t worry I am still updating. 

This fic is a Hurt/Comfort fic. No SMUT as of this stage, with no real intention of it. 

Harry's abuse from the Dursleys has gone too far this summer break and Harry is finding himself shunned by the school. Finding himself isolated and alone, he seeks safety and finds it somewhere and from someone he never expected. 

So I’m still debating a few ideas of how this fic is going to go, but looking at Snape and Malfoy's becoming family figures for Harry. 

Chapter One

The train jolted, throwing Harry into the wall, waking him immediately, green eyes shot open as his breathing raced, eyes darting around the train compartment, his heart rate rapid as he looked for where the attack came from. 

The train simply jolted again and Harry sagged, his defensive posture relaxing and he let out a deep breath, calming down slightly as he sat back down. He was alone, alone was safe, the jerk and rapid movement had made some of his injuries reopen, he could feel the slight trickle of blood down his ribs, but his hand was what hurt the most. 

His “family” had learnt some interesting information whilst he was at school. Their torments stepped up brutally that summer, no longer fearing him or his ‘freaky friends’. 

They had - no - NO! Harry shook his head, instantly regretting it as his vision swam. 

No, he couldn’t think about what they had done to him. Forget it and move on, he was going to Hogwarts, he had a year away from them, a whole year he could just pretend that summer never happened. He was going home, he would be safe at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was his true home. He closed his eyes and breathed through the dizziness and it passed slowly, careful he opened his eyes and the compartment was no longer spinning. 

Sighing he turned his attention to the window, pulling back the blinds, the sun was high in the sky, he guessed it was about midday, so the train hadn’t been moving for too long. 

Careful stretching, his back and neck ached slightly from sleeping so long leaning against the wall. He had to stretch slowly, wary of the wounds all over his body, not wanting to open any more of them. He opened his battered trunk and right on top was a bunch of bandages. Easing his shirt up, there was nothing to be seen except the healthy skin of a fit teenager. But Harry knew better, he peeled the sticky layer away from the large square dressing, he had done a lot of stealing over the summer from medical stores, and placed it over where the cut was and patted it down. Then the bandage disappeared under the glamor along with everything else. 

It had been a blessing he supposed his uncle waking him so early, Harry shoved his shirt down and tossed the dressing rubbish back into his trunk. Vernon had dragged him from the cupboard under the stairs and shoved his trunk at him, at three am. The man had driven in such a furious way to the train station that Harry was amazed a police officer didn’t pull him up for reckless driving. 

The train station was almost deserted at four thirty in the morning, Vernon pulling up right at the end where it was the most quiet. 

-

Harry bounced off the concrete as his battered trunk hit the ground beside him. 

“Now remember what you tell those freaky friends of yours,” Vernon snarled as he leaned over spit hitting Harry’s cheek. 

“I fell over Uncle, I got in with the wrong group of boys and got beaten, my aunt and uncle were very disappointed in me,” Harry said softly. 

“That’s right,” Vernon stood, he quickly glanced around but the few people at the far end of the station were not looking, before placing his foot on Harry’s hand. Harry winced, but knew better than to make a sound as he swore he felt a finger crack slightly under his uncle's tremendous weight. His hand screamed with pain as tears of pain gathered in his eyes. “Remember your place toy, remember you are nothing but a FREAK.”

His uncle ground his foot down harder for a moment and there was a pop, Harry let out a cry of pain, and Vernon smirked before he turned and got back in his car and raced off, leaving a hyperventilating Harry on the footpath. 

Breathing erratic, Harry pulled himself off the ground, what he was sure was a cracked finger and another dislocated, Harry cradled his hand against his chest as he grabbed his trunk and pulled it along behind him. His vision swam as he walked, his chest heaving as he panicked. “FREAK, TOY,” Harry flinched as he remembered what his family done to him. His breathing picked up and he stumbled as he ran into the back of a man. 

“Sorry,” Harry stuttered out as the man turned. 

The man looked over Harry, eyes drifting down his body, before turning back to the women in front of him, “go, this isn’t enough,” he said, motioning to the cash in his hand. “Hello pretty, want a job?” 

Harry freaked, he ran, blindly running from the man he realised was a pimp, he fled running for the safety of 9¾ platform. No muggles there. 

The man shouted after him, but Harry was fast, even dragging his trunk behind him, tears streaming down his face as his panic grew he needed somewhere safe, he needed to be alone. Harry hit the barrier at a full run and he skidded through. Even at 4.45am the Hogwarts Express sat in place. Scrabbling with his trunk, Harry pulled his ticket and shoved it at the surprised conductor, who was reading the early morning edition. 

“You’re early,” the man said as he took Harry’s ticket, “hey aren’t you-?”

Harry shoved past the man not caring if it was rude or not, he was so close to a full meltdown. He tore down the train, ignoring all the empty compartments, heading right down the back, until he hit the last carriage. He slammed the compartment door behind him, with wandless magic he sealed the door tight, and pulled the blinds over the door window and the one that overlooked the back of the station. 

Harry cried as he hit the floor, unconsciously throwing up a silencing spell as he screamed, his unhurt hand curled into his hair as he sobbed and screamed and let his panic out. 

-

Unsure of how long he sat on the floor of the train, Harry breathed as he calmed his racing heart, his fear and panic back under control as he slowly pushed himself off the floor and onto one of the benches. Exhausted from weeks of abuse from his “family” and tired after his panic attack, he leaned against the side of the train and shut his eyes, intending to sleep for just a few hours. 

-

Harry shook himself, it didn’t matter, he was on his way to Hogwarts, and every hour that he was away from THAT house and THAT family was better. 

The train was quiet, quiet enough to realise he had a silencing spell up, breathing slowly Harry took it down, he had discovered in sheer desperation over the break he could do wandless and wordless magic, but he never used it where he could be seen, only to help him steal food, steal medical supplies, anything to survive that summer break. He couldn’t afford to have his wand snapped and told to stay from the magical world. It was where he was safer, Harry snorted, it seemed stupid, that a world where Voldemort was alive and actively trying to kill him was safer than his aunt and uncles.

Despite the fact he had removed the silencer, the fact he could hear no one in the compartments around him, told Harry that the back of the train remained empty, he relaxed slightly. 

He stared sadly at his battered trunk on the ground in front of him. His uncle had damaged it badly along with his things, but that didn’t matter, it was all just things, he was just glad he had left his cloak, broom and photo album with Hermione, Harry’s shoulders sagged, he should have done the same with Hedwig. It was his fault she was gone, he should have left her with Ron. 

He had just wanted one friend, Dumbledore had said that he couldn’t go to the Weasley’s over the summer, it was too dangerous with Voldemort back on the prowl, but someone would come to get him to collect his school supplies. Except no one did. 

Not one single letter. 

Not one single visit. 

Nothing he had been forgotten. 

It was his fault Hedwig was dead. HIS FAULT. 

There were no tears as Harry sat listless, Vernon had killed her. Harry had every intention of letting Hedwig out of her travel cage the moment they got to his room. She would live outside, free to hunt as he sat caged in his room, but she would be safe, away from his uncle's rages. But the moment the door shut behind Vernon the man had turned on him. He had grabbed Hedwig’s cage and threw it to the floor. Hedwig screeched in fear and anger as she flapped in the travel cage. He had reacted, turning on his uncle, screaming at him to not touch her. Vernon had backhanded him so hard, he hit the floor, his vision swimming as he tried to regain his senses as he watched in horror, screaming for his uncle to not do it, as the man lifted his foot and stomped down on Hedwig's cage. His poor owl fluttered in her cage as she screeched in pain, until the sounds cut off abruptly as Harry crawled to her side. He gathered her bloody body up, inside the mangled cage, and sobbed as he looked up at Vernon. “How could you?” he had asked, “what’s wrong with you?” he wondered. 

“ You’re what’s wrong with this family, freak.” Vernon snapped. “I learned a little piece of information. You do magic outside of that freaky school of yours and you're expelled. Your wand snapped.” Vernon grinned as he kicked him. “Behave boy, or you will be like that owl of yours.” 

He bent over, “I also learnt your freaky friends aren’t allowed to do magic on us as we are not freaks like you. We could have them arrested in your freaky world.” 

Harry and his dead companion had been thrown into Dudley's second room. He spent ages removing his friend from her cage, it was dark when he slipped from the house, he went to the local park and dug her grave with his bare hands, before burying her. He refused to bury her in Petunia’s garden, refused to bury her in the place that killed her so brutally. He wanted her to be as free as she could be, so he buried her in the park. 

He should have run that night. He should have run away, left Privet drive and never looked back. But he didn’t, hindsight and all, that summer was hell.

Harry shuddered as he breathed, calming himself again, before he very carefully leaned over, he was certain he had a cracked rib or maybe two. They were making themselves known after his crazed run through King’s Cross. He opened his trunk and pushed aside his torn books and his school robes, most needing some mending. He was so thankful he had some forethought and he had hidden his wand. He opened the secret compartment he had made and he removed his wand, holding onto it tightly. Vernon had ransacked his trunk, destroying many of his things in the process. 

“Where is it boy?” Vernon pulled out another book and tossed it. 

“What uncle Vernon?” Harry asked as his school robe was torn. It was too small anyway, he would be getting new ones when someone took him to Diagon alley. 

“That stick,” Vernon snapped. 

His wand! Harry breathed through his lie, keeping his voice calm. “I was made to leave it at school. Headmaster Dumbledore has it.”  

Vernon upended the trunk. “I don’t believe you.” He tossed the trunk and the lid bent at a weird angle. “WHERE IS IT?” Vernon turned onto Harry, his face purpling. 

“I told you Headmaster Dumbledore has it,” Harry said again. 

“I will give you one more chance BOY!” Vernon removed his belt and snapped it against the floor. 

Harry shook his head, “it’s at school,” he lied. 

Vernon struck. Harry cried out as the belt hit his side. 

“WHERE IS IT?” Vernon roared. 

Harry just curled up, hands over his head as his uncle hit him over and over, roaring at Harry, until Petunia came running. 

“Vernon stop, the neighbours will hear,” Petunia cried out, not caring about the shivering teenager at her feet or the strewn mess of his things. 

Breathing hard, Vernon nodded and stepped over Harry where he was curled up, his breathing ragged and he had gotten a sweat up. “Better not be lying boy,” Vernon snapped. 

Harry heard a soft laughter and he peeked out between his arms Dudley had been watching, the fat teenager chomped away at another chip, “you're such a freak,” Dudley smirked. 

Petunia eyed the mess on the floor, “clean that mess up, and when you're done get downstairs and cook dinner.”

“Yes Aunt Petunia,” Harry said softly. 

-

Finding his least torn uniform, Harry pulled it out, he had grown a bit over the summer, how with the lack of food he wasn’t sure but his robes were now too short, and he had nothing else. All his things were from last year. Last year's books, his quills broken, his ink dried, his few spare parchment rolls destroyed. His entire meek life sat in tatters before him. He hoped Hermione brought him his things, his most prized possessions outside his wand.

He should have gotten up, should have gone looking for his friends. But he didn’t know how he felt about them right then. Ron and the twins had broken him out of Privet drive in his second year. They had said to Mrs Weasley they had put bars on his window, and all the woman had to say was, “maybe she should put bars on Ron’s windows.” 

He had told Dumbledore about his home life and was told ‘it was for his own good to stay there.’ 

He had even approached McGonagall, she was the head of his house, and she had also turned him away. 

Harry accepted years ago that the adults around him knew the truth, knew his home life and did nothing about it, so he stopped asking. 

He had waited everyday for someone to come and take him out of that house of hell, but no one came. If it wasn’t for the owl that dropped his Hogwarts ticket off, along with his list of school supplies, Harry would have believed he had been forgotten. 

Sighing again, Harry should be used to this, he thought, he didn’t truly have anyone he could rely on. Ron proved that even he wasn’t a truly loyal friend, turning on him in the Tri-Wizard tournament. And Hermione, who tried to split her time between them, went more to Ron.

Fixing what he could on his robes Harry pulled on his school uniform and indeed it was too short, his ankles were showing along with his wrists. But there was no way he was going to wearing his hand-me-downs from Dudley either. 

Harry’s eyes lifted to the reflection in the glass and for a moment he dropped the glamour. 

Dull eyes stared back at him, one of his eyes was black, thankfully it was no longer swollen, half his face was covered in mottled bruises. His right hand that his uncle so kindly stepped on was swollen and red, he tried flexing his fingers and his hand just throbbed, not wanting to move properly. His robes hid so much more damage. He had lost so much weight over the summer, that despite his growth in height his old uniforms hung on his frame, he closed the blinds, he didn’t want to look at himself. He pulled the glamour back up and sat back down. 

He would need to go to McGonagall and get owl order pamphlets, order all his school supplies and new clothes. He tossed Dudley's hand down rags into the truck and his eyes prickled with tears as he touched the long single feather Harry had kept from Hedwig, “I’m sorry.” 

-

-

Unable to sleep, Harry stayed in the compartment for the rest of the ride, ignoring the knocks from the lady with the trolley. Despite how starved he was, he couldn’t eat sweets. 

Finally the jolting ride stopped and the train pulled up at Hogwarts station, breathing heavily, Harry made sure his glamour was in place, shrunk his trunk and pocketed it, before he took a deep breath and opened the compartment door. Being right at the back, Harry stepped out onto the station platform into stares and mutters from other students. He ignored the whispers, the looks, pointing fingers and the sniggers at his uniform. It didn’t matter what house, even Gryffindors sneered at him, along with the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs, only the Ravenclaws seemed to not care, but they simply ignored him. 

Harry kept walking, it was only words. Words and looks couldn’t hurt him. No, Vernon, Petunia and Dudley had taught Harry what true pain and what true fear was over the summer.

Shoving the unwanted memories back deep into the box he had shoved them into he made his way slowly to where the thestrals stood waiting with their carriages. 

“Harry!” Hermione’s call had Harry pause and turn around.

Hermione rushed across the platform to him, throwing herself at him and hugging him so hard, his ribs protested. Harry had to grit his teeth as he forced himself not to groan in pain as he was hugged, but a sound still left him.

“Oh sorry, did I hurt you?” Hermione asked, stepping back. 

“You stepped on my foot Hermione,” Harry lied as his sides and lower back throbbed 

“Oh sorry,” Hermione said. “Ron and I looked for you on the train, we couldn't find you. I was going to tell the Professors you weren’t on the train when we got here.”

“I was down the back, Uncle Vernon had early work so he dropped me off at four am. So I went right down the back and got an empty compartment and slept. I did wake when the train started moving and I tried looking for you,” Harry lied again smoothly. 

“Oh that was likely because I was in a meeting,” Hermione rather proudly showed off her Prefect badge. “You wouldn’t believe it Ron is one to,” 

“Really?” Harry tried to be excited for Hermione but he was just in so much pain and he just wanted to sit down 

“Mate,” Ron came over and slapped Harry on his back. 

“Hey Ron,” Harry said, wincing as he felt one his bruises throb, not wanting the physical contact right then.

“Can you believe it, I made Prefect to,” Ron showed the badge off proudly that was pinned on his robes. Mum was so proud of me, she actually bought me new robes.” Harry watched as Ron’s eyes dragged over Harry’s robes and he could see the slight flash of satisfaction, “by the way mate, what are you wearing?” 

Harry didn’t say a thing, but the silence only lasted a moment, before Hermione pushed between them, “come on let’s go, before someone joins us in a carriage.”

Harry watched as Ron struggled with his trunk, before he shrunk it and Ron gave him a thanks and they climbed into a carriage. 

Gritting his teeth through the pain, Harry sat silent as he tried his best to ignore each bump that jolted his body. 

“Ah, Harry, sorry if you're angry with us,” Hermione said softly, misreading Harry’s silence. 

“But you can’t be angry with us,” Ron blustered, “Dumbledore -

“Professor Dumbledore,” Hermione cut in with a hiss. 

Ron rolled his eyes, “Professor Dumbledore said that couldn’t write or send anything to you, in case it led the Death Eaters to you.” 

“Yeah I know, Dumbledore said that I couldn’t write either,” Harry replied as Hermione eyed his short legs and sleeves.  

“Harry, why don’t you have new robes?” Hermione asked. 

“No one came and got me to take me to Diagon Alley,” Harry replied. 

“Well make sure you ask Professor McGonagall for help, she is our head of house,” Hermione said primly. 

“Can’t believe that I got picked for Prefect over you Harry, thought you would have gotten it. You are always picked for everything,” Ron puffed his chest again. 

Honestly Harry couldn’t have cared less, he didn’t want the stupid position or the stupid badge, “I didn’t want it anyway. I just want a quiet year, study, learn and have no dramas.” 

“See Ronald,” Hermione said, nodding, “Harry has it right, this year are our O.W.L.s. We need to get good grades, to get into our N.E.W.T classes. We want good jobs when we leave Hogwarts.” As she spoke Hermione had grabbed Ron’s hand as he rolled his eyes at Hermione. 

“Oh - ah,” Hermione blushed as she let go of Ron’s hand. 

“We’re dating,” Ron grinned, there was a look in his eyes, Harry was sure he was gloating he got something else over him, but he wasn’t sure, maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but there was a look in Ron’s eyes that was similar to Dudley's when he threw something in Harry’s face that he had and Harry didn’t, it was childish. 

Harry nodded and looked away, “congratulations,” he said. 

Hermione began to scold Ron softly, whispering, though Harry could hear every word, “I told you we would break it to him more gently than that.” 

Ron and Hermione argued for a few moments before Ron rolled his eyes, “yeah whatever,” and they settled down again. 

“Oh, before I forget here,” Hermione pulled her trunk from her pocket and resized it, pulling out his album, broom and cloak. 

“Thank you,” Harry said honestly, as he took his most precious items outside his wand, his fingers running over the soft fabric of his cloak, and then his broom. 

“Hope you don’t mind mate, I used your broom on holidays, it was great, the speed, of course my brothers all had to try it as well. Ginny even rode it,” Ron rolled his eyes, “I suppose she was okay.” 

Harry eyed his broom, there were new scratches, some tail twigs bent out of place. He actually did in fact mind that broom was the only thing he had from Sirius. Thinking of his Godfather, anger bloomed inside him, why hadn’t Sirus come and seen him, checked up on him, even in his dog animagus. 

“Did you see Sirius this break?” Harry asked casually. 

“Yeah, we all camped up at Grimmauld, Dumbledore said it was too dangerous to stay at home,” Ron stated. 

“I never went home, I got to the station, found mum and dad waiting with Professor Lupin, everything already had been explained to them and I went with Professor Lupin to Grimmauld,” Hermione explained. “At least I was able to write to mum and dad.” 

Harry looked down at his broom, “and Sirius?” 

“He was mad that he wasn’t allowed to go and see you, was acting angry and often yelled at Professor Dumbledore about the unfair treatment,” Hermione said as if annoyed by Sirius' actions. 

“Dumbledore actually put a curse on Sirius so he couldn’t leave,” Ron said eyes wide, “saw him do it, when Sirius tried to slip out one day.” 

Harry blinked as he played with a stray twig, “oh,” he said. It made him feel a bit less alone knowing Sirius had wanted to see him. His broom needed a good service, he added that to his mental note of what to order. He hoped he had enough money in his trunk to cover everything, otherwise he didn’t know how to get to Gringotts and get more. 

He sat there listening as Ron and Hermione spoke of the summer, how they were cleaning up Grimmauld, and they asked Harry once of his. 

“You know the usual chores, hiding from my cousin as much as I could,” Harry answered. 

“If Dumbledore says it's the safest place, then it is,” Hermione said.

“Sure Hermione,” Harry responded, “sure it is.” 

-

-

Harry was working out how he would steal some pain relief potions from the mediward when a familiar drawl made him look up, from the sheer concentration it took him to climb the stairs right then. 

“Oh look, the boy who refuses to die,” Draco Malfoy's voice drawled as they made their way towards the great hall.  

“Sod off Malfoy,” Ron snapped back. 

Harry glanced at the Slytherin and looked away, Malfoy couldn’t hurt him he didn’t matter. 

Draco didn’t like being ignored, he sneered, “joined the Wesley’s in their tradition of not having a new uniform?” Draco queried, voice dripping in disdain. “At least slug boy here looks decent for once.” 

Ron turned red, but Harry just kept walking away as Hermione shoved at Ron. 

“Remember you're Prefect now you have to be a good example,” Hermione hissed. “They can take that badge and responsibility off you.”

Ron eyed Malfoy, who smirked and also showed off his badge, “If you are all Gryfindork has to offer, I would be worried for my house,” Draco called. 

Hermione kept shoving Ron, until they joined Harry who was already sitting down at the table. 

“That was very responsible of you Harry,” Hermione said almost proudly, “not rising to Malfoy's taunts.”

Harry managed a smile, “he isn't worth it.”

“Well I am proud of you,” Hermione turned back to Ron, “see Ron it is better to just walk away you don’t have to get the last word in,” she scolded.

Harry’s eyes roamed the teachers table, ignoring the squabbling pair behind him. 

The usual staff were there, there was a new woman in all pink sitting next to Snape, who was currently watching his Slytherins as they all sat down. 

The woman in pink Harry presumed was going to be the new DADA teacher was staring at him. That Harry was used to, but this, this was different, something made his spine crawl and his eyes lowered from the woman back to the table in front of him. 

Snape looked over the Great Hall and his eyes fell on Potter. The brat, who was a mirror image of his father, just sat at the table like nothing had happened. His nose flared, as he contemplated the brat. 

His Lord was back from destruction. Thankfully the man was more sane than he was before Potter destroyed his body and left him a dismembered soul. Lord Voldemort wanted Potter dead, but Severus' position as a spy beside Dumbledore was more precious and it gave Severus a thankful reprieve, after all there was that rather annoying vow he had given to Lily.  He was caught between an ungiving master, and a spell that if he broke would either kill him or rip him of his magic. How he hated that brat. 

“Welcome back everyone,” Dumbledore stood, “let us welcome our new first year students.” He gestured to McGonagall to the floor, who brought in the Sorting Hat. 

Harry sat quietly, ignoring the looks that were sent his way, as the first years were sorted. 

Dumbledore stood again, and he read out the rules, before turning and introducing the staff, “of course I would like you to welcome your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge, let us wish her good luck.”

Harry had to hide his smile as the woman gave this strange, hem, hem giggle, but it wasn’t the new teacher he smiled at, it was Snape’s look of sheer disgust that he shot at the woman behind her back. 

The woman interrupted Dumbledore and she stood slowly coming to stand in front of the Headmaster. She blabbered on and on about how the Ministry wanted to mould their minds and perfect their learning. Before her eyes went to Harry, “Of course we at the Ministry also disapprove of lies and storytelling.”

Harry wanted to sink into the floor and disappear as every eye in the room turned on him. 

Before Umbridge went on about the loss of a student, saying how he died tragically in the Tri Wizarding Tournament and they, the ministry, were stepping in to ensure the students safely. 

“Thank you,” Umbridge gave that sickening ‘hemhem’, and sat down. 

Students looked blankly at the Headmaster who cleared his throat, “enjoy your dinner,” he simply said and the array of food filled the tables. 

“Blimey, what did all that mean?” Ron asked, as several others all turned their eyes onto Hermione. 

“It means that the ministry is wanting to control Hogwarts,” Hermione stated. 

The students all sat staring at each other, as Harry noticed the twins giving each other looks that surely did not bode well for the newest DADA Professor. 

The usual array of food appeared on the table and Harry’s stomach rolled, as he eyed the greasy cooked chicken, deep fried pork, deep fried chips. He reached out and served himself a small spoon of vegetables, when his stomach didn’t rebel at that he sipped away at a tiny helping of pumpkin soup. 

Of course Ron was eating like he was never going to be allowed another meal ever again and was shovelling it into his mouth like it was going to be taken from him. Hermione beside him scolding him heavily about table manners, ignoring Harry, which he preferred, so his own eating, or lack thereof, was ignored. 

Up at the staff table, McGongall watched as Potter sipped slowly at his soup. “Who was supposed to take Potter to get his school things this year?” she asked Severus who sat beside her. 

“At that Minevera, I do not know or care,” Snape drawled, his mood was absolutely foul. He was listening to the pink toad next to him slurping at her soup and making those stupid little noises in the back of her throat the entire time. He already wanted to throttle the woman, how was he going to last an entire year sitting next to her at every meal.

McGonagall eyed Snape, before her eyes went back to Potter, who seemed to be finished, not touching any of the dessert as dinner disappeared and the sweets took their place. 

-

“Prefects,” Dumbledore said after he finished listing off all the forbidden items, “please show the first years to their dorms, good evening to you all.” 

Hermione gave the password to those around her before standing, “Gryffindor first years, this way please, Gryffindor first years.” Ron joined her as they moved to the side of the eleven years olds crowding around them. 

The rest of the years took off, racing up the stairs towards their dorms and rooms, to find out who they were bunking with and to get the best beds. 

Neville stayed behind with Harry, who let the hoard go first so he didn’t get jostled too much. 

“Not racing to get the best bed?” Harry asked as he stood. 

“No, I don’t care where I sleep, I hope we are sharing a dorm again though Harry, at least you don’t  tease me about my plants.” Neville began to speak of his summer and how he got several new plants, “I managed to sneak two in my trunk without Grandma seeing, hope you don’t mind.”

Harry smiled, his first true one since he arrived at Hogwarts, “Of course not Nev, as long as they don’t try and kill me.” 

“I noticed you didn’t eat much for dinner?” Neville said. 

Harry cursed himself internally, “I bought too much stuff on the train,” he gave as an excuse, which Neville took. 

“Mr Potter, a moment please, on your way Mr Longbottom,” McGonagall said as she moved to the pair. 

Neville nodded and scampered away quickly. 

“Mr Potter, your uniform?” McGonagall said, eyeing the too short pants and shirt. 

“Professor, no one came and took me to Diagon Alley. I was going to see you tomorrow about getting owl orders,” Harry said quickly. 

“Easy Mr Potter, you aren’t in trouble, what don’t you have?” McGonagall asked. 

“Everything,” Harry shrugged, “uniform, books, quills, ink, parchment, everything.”

“Very well, I know what you need, I will see it ordered for you, you will just have to make do for a day or two,” McGongall eyed his uniform again and drew her wand.

Harry stiffened, but the Professor said some spell he didn’t know and the sleeves and the pants legs grew slightly. 

“There that will have to do for now,” McGonagall put her wand away, “the enchantment makes the material thinner, so it will tear easily. I will inform the other Professors in the morning staff meeting about your requirements, all staff hold several spare textbooks, you can borrow them until your new items arrive. As head of your house, I will put the school items on your school account which will be sent to Gringotts to be paid directly.”

Harry relaxed, that saved him potential money problems. “Ah Professor, you don’t happen to have other pamphlets for everyday clothes do you?”

A small smile crossed the woman’s lips, “outgrown them too?”

Harry nodded.

“I will have some for you by dinner tomorrow. Do you have enough money?” McGonagall asked. 

“I'm Professor, thank you,” Harry said. 

“Now off to your dorm, and do try and stay out of trouble this year Mr Potter, Professor Umbridge will not tolerate any disrespect at all. Keep your head down, no arguments and study, you will get through this year.” 

“Yes Professor, I don’t want any trouble this year.” Harry hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell his head of house what happened.

“Something else Mr Potter?” McGonagall asked, seeing the hesitation. 

“No, just thank you for my school things,” Harry turned, there was no point asking for help, he made his way to the stairs. 

McGonagall watched Potter as he walked off, wondering if the teen could do it, stay out of trouble for a whole year. He also seemed quieter, more solemn, but then she was one of those who actually believed Potter when he said that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was back. Anyone seeing a fellow student murdered in front of you and the Dark Lord returning had to mess with the mind of one so young. McGonagall turned and headed for her office to see the orders fill out for her young pupil. 

-

Heavy harsh breathing left Harry, the many flights of steps was torture on his body. He was leaning against the wall, regaining sense before he went into the common room, slowly his breathing settled and he stood, made his way to the Fat Lady, gave the password and entered the common room. It was most deserted, most were up in their rooms, but the few there were giving him dirty looks as he checked what room he was in and went to find his bed, all he wanted right then was sleep. 

As expected, bunking with Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean, the three beds besides windows were already taken, Harry was pressed in the corner bed. But he didn’t care as Neville gave him unsure looks, glancing at his two plants on the windowsill. 

Seamus plain ignored him as Dean gave him dirty looks, as Harry simply climbed into bed, pulled his curtains before pulling his trunk and placing it at the end of his bed. 

“Mate?” Ron asked just outside his curtains.

“I’m fine Ron, just tired, been a long day,” Harry answered as he put away his few meager possessions into the small drawers they were given. 

“Okay, if you say so,” Ron muttered before going back to the others, who were all gossiping about their summers. 

Harry pulled his pajamas from his trunk and froze, he had to get undressed. Undressed with others in the room, he began to hyperventilate, but caught himself before full panic set in. He breathed slowly, he could do this, it was only Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean, they wouldn’t hurt him. 

He quickly stripped off his robe and uniform top before pulling on the pajama top and then did the same for his bottoms, never getting fully naked. Like his other clothes it was too small, but he was clothed. 

He crawled into bed and laid there, listening to the others as they got ready for bed, and the lights went out. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t sleep as he heard the others breathe, soft snores coming from Ron’s bed, muttering from Nevilles. His brain coming into super awareness and he couldn’t sleep. 

Neville’s toad began to croak and Harry found himself tearing up, Hedwig. Not one of his ‘friends’ had noticed she was missing. 

Harry curled up in a small ball, fully hidden under his blankets, trying to feel safe, wanting to feel safe. But he couldn’t find it, not here. 

Hogwarts no longer felt like home. 

It no longer felt safe. 

AN -

Okay so those who came because of PETS this fic is not likely to be updated as fast as it was. More likely going to be a more monthly basis. But then knowing me, it is probably going to be a bit quicker. But I am planning on monthly updates. 

But I know, not a lot of information in this chapter so far, but what did you think

Chapter Text

Exhausted Harry dragged himself from bed, he had managed to get some sleep, short naps, but every sound, every movement around the room kept jerking him from the fitful sleep and on alert waiting for his curtains to rip open and someone join him. 

It was early when Harry gave up on getting back to sleep. His roommates' soft snores reassured him that they were all still sleeping as he gathered his needs for a shower. He had foregone his last night and he really needed one. The uniform from yesterday that McGonagall had lengthened for him, tucked under his arm, Harry slipped to the boys bathroom. 

His magic wrapped around the stall, locking it so tight even Dumbledore would have trouble breaking through it. 

Harry stood waiting listening for many long minutes but the bathroom was silent except for his heavy breathing. 

Slowly he dropped the glamour. Easing his sleeping clothes from his battered body Harry hissed as his hand throbbed, his ribs panged. 

Gently he removed the bandages he had stolen from a muggle pharmacy from his side. The wound was jagged and rough, it was red and hot to touch. Infection had set in and Harry wasn’t surprised after all it was a dirty garden hoe that he had landed on. 

Sighing Harry turned the shower on but didn’t step under, it hurt too much water pounding on him. Instead he used a wash cloth to wipe himself down, “just another day Harry,” he told himself, “you can do this.” 

Still the sight of his body, the memories, lack of sleep had soft cobs falling from Harry’s lips. Until it became too much and his knees buckled and he ended up on the floor a soft keen leaving his lips as he rocked. 

Despite being at Hogwarts, despite being somewhere the Dursleys couldn’t get to him, he was still terrified. Terrified and in pain. 

Maybe Vernon was right, he was a Freak, he couldn’t get over what they had done to him, couldn’t move past it. 

Harry didn’t know how long he sat crying in the stall but finally the tears stopped and he got back onto his feet and finished washing, rebandaging his wounds with the last of the bandages he had stolen. Pondering how he would get more. Redressed in his uniform, the glamour sliding back into place. He pulled down his wards and stood in front of the mirror and forced himself to smile. He was just a normal teenager who had a boring summer with his relatives. He was Harry Bloody Potter, Harry breathed he could do this.

The others were already up and gone, by the time he returned to the dorm room, stashing his things. Harry made sure his wand holster was firmly in place before heading down to breakfast. His school bag was empty but he still took it, ignoring the damage to one corner, thanks to Dudley. 

“Harry,” Hermione's voice called to him as Harry shifted down the great table. The teen was standing and waving at him. 

Ron predictably was scoffing down his waffles which Harry ignored feeling sick at the amount of syrup he had poured over the pastry. 

“You almost missed breakfast,” Hermione said sternly. 

“Sorry, I took longer in the shower than expected,” Harry said, “you know they don’t like me using too much water.”

Hermione’s stern look softened, as McGonagall came along the table, handing out the school schedule. 

“I sent the orders off this morning Mr Potter, I expect it will be filled out today, be here tomorrow or at least Wednesday,” McGonagall said as she handed Harry a sheet. Along with several casual clothes owl ordering pamphlets. 

“Thank you Professor,” Harry took the schedule and orders and the Professor kept moving on. 

“Blimey, there are trying to kill us,” Ron dropped his fork. “Double Potions first thing with Slytherin, break, Double DADA also with the slimy snakes again, lunch, then Double Herbology with Ravenclaw and that is just Monday,

Harry was upset for another reason, a walk all the way down to the dungeons, back up to the third floor, then all the way out to the greenhouses. He was going to be in so much pain. He sighed as he put the sheet down, not even looking at the rest of the week as he tucked into a tiny serving of bacon and eggs, he of course took a massive scoop, but it went unnoticed as he shoved chunks off, that the moment they hit the table cloth, disappeared with a pop. He did have a good drink of orange juice though, hiding an apple in his bag, of course making sure no one saw him slip the fruit away, before joining the trudge down to the potions lab. 

-

“Mr Potter, as you so deem yourself above the rest of your peers and do not see the need to purchase your own school equipment, I will be generous and allow you to use a spare,” Snape drawled as Harry sat down with Neville, Ron and Hermione having paired up, the man holding out a text book a look of ridicule on his face. 

Harry stood and went to the front of the class, “thank you Professor,” Harry said softly as he took the book. 

Snape raised an eyebrow at the rather meek boy, who once jumped down his throat for merely looking at him the wrong way, “just like your father,” he snapped. Potter merely nodded, turned and went back to his desk and sat. 

Snape frowned, even Draco gave him a look as if to say, ‘what the?’ His eyes tracked Potter as he sat, the teen sitting as if he was in pain, particularly his side, and his right hand clumsy, but there was no clear indication of anything wrong. 

“Potter, you and Longbottom together are just an invite to trouble, Longbottom switch with Thomas,” Snape snapped as he turned to the black board. 

Dean shot Harry an angry look as he sat beside him, like it was his fault as Seamus got Neville as a potion brew companion. 

-

“Damn it Potter,” Dean hissed as Harry butchered another slug, squishing it not slicing it. 

“Sorry,” Harry murmured. 

“Give it here,” Dean snapped, grabbing the knife from Harry’s hand, who had to hide his groan of pain as his fingers were knocked.  

Dark eyes watched as Potter clutched his hand to his chest like it hurt, but as far as he could see there was nothing wrong with the hand. 

Green eyes darted around the room, landed on him, before lowering and the hand was replaced on the table. Severus recognised the nervous ticks, like someone who had been attacked. But several of his fellow death eaters had rather gleefully filled him in on the night their Lord was resurrected and the teen had been mocked and played with by their Lord after he had watched a friend die. Potter's cockiness was gone and Severus internally was pleased. Maybe the teen finally realised exactly what he was against. A bit of fear never hurt no one. 

The class passed quietly with Snape banishing Longbottoms and Thomas’s potion before it exploded. Ridiculed others for their lackluster attempts. Praised his snakes, of course. 

The bell rang, “leave a vial to be tested, I also expect a two foot essay on the properties and usage of today’s potion by next Monday, dismissed,” Snape's cool voice washed over the class as the students groaned. 

Harry rushed the vial up with his and Dean's names on it, along with the textbook and fled. Leaving Dean cursing him as he cleaned the work station up himself. 

Harry moved quickly, his breathing hard and fast as he hyperventilated. Finally out of the dungeons he stopped as he leaned against the wall. His hand throbbed, there was no way he could get through the rest of the day, let alone the weeks it would take to heal naturally. His side ached but his hand was causing problems. Problems would be noticed. If noticed, his family was told. Harry felt sick. No one could find out what happened to him. No one. 

Finding a quiet space on his way to the medi ward Harry paused and sat on a bench staring at his hand. He pulled the glamor back slowly, revealing his fingers and then palm. But no lower, to not reveal the finger tip bruises around his wrists. 

His hand was swollen, fingers red and black with bruises. The cut on the back was a nasty red with a yellowing to it. Infection he sighed as he stood and moved into the medi ward. 

“Mr Potter,” Matron Pomfrey’s voice called from her office, the woman following quickly through the door, “what possibly could you have done on the very first day of classes?” 

“Sorry Matron, but I hurt my hand outside of school, I think I may have broken a bone,” Harry answered.  

“Okay to a bed, let’s see,” Pomfrey waved Harry to the nearest bed and she gently took up his hand and she frowned as she turned his hand over slowly. “How did you do this Mr Potter?” 

“I was playing soccer with my cousin and friends,” Harry lied oh so smoothly, “ah - you know what soccer is?”

Pomfrey nodded as she drew her wand, “muggle game like quidditch but on the ground and feet instead of hands.”

“Yeah something like that,” Harry muttered, “I fell over and one of the boys stepped on my hand, it was an accident,” he added hurriedly. “I didn't think it was that bad until I got onto the train and it was swollen.” 

Pomfrey performed a few spells before gently letting his hand go. “Well you are correct two broken bones, damage to some muscles and an infection in this cut. We will have you out of here quickly Mr Potter,” the woman smiled knowing Harry would just slip out first chance he got unless he was limited to the bed. 

The Matron slipped into her office and gathered potions. Harry’s eyes traced what was there able to see them from his bed, pain relief, infection reducer, bruise balm. He had to find a way to get into that store cupboard.

“Here we go,” Pomfrey said, returning, “small breaks are easy.” The woman pulled her wand and waved it over his hand and Harry winced as the two bones shifted and his hand lost the ache as they fused back together. “Don’t even need skelegrow for such small breaks.” 

The swelling reduced quickly and he flexed his fingers, actually able to move them. “Thank you,” he said, meaning it as Madam Pomphery unscrewed a lid off the balm. 

“This is infection reducer,” Pomphry set the jar down and rubbed the thick paste into the back of Harry’s hand before she said another spell that wrapped bandages neatly around his hand securing it tight. 

“Matron the bandage spell. What was that again?” Harry asked as if in sheer curiosity. 

“Fasciae vulnus,” Pomfrey said again and Harry copied. She nodded, “Fasciae means bandage and vulnus ‘wound’ to bandage wound. Why?” 

Harry shrugged, “I don’t think I want to be an auror any more Matron,” he frowned as he looked around the ward, “maybe a mediwizard like you are, help people.”

Pomfrey smiled, “it is always good to keep your thoughts open on potential careers. You are all done, keep that bandage on until your shower tonight the paste will be absorbed by then and your hand will be good as new. Anything else Mr Potter?”

Harry wanted to tell her. Show her everything else, take his pain away but he shook his head, “that’s all, thank you,”

“No thank you Mr Potter,” Pomfrey watched as surprised eyes glanced at her. “You came to me before you were dragged here, that is a big step up for you young man.” 

Harry looked away actually embarrassed, “ah thanks, I’m Matron could- I am in pain,” he admitted. 

Pomfrey nodded quickly, moved to her supply cabinet and removed two doses of pain relief, if the young man admitted it he was in pain. 

As the Matron walked away. Harry slipped the infection reducer into his pocket, hoping it wouldn’t be noticed, at least until he was gone. 

“One for now and if needed one for tonight so you can sleep.” Pomfrey returned with two vials. 

“Thank you,” Harry took the first vial and he sighed as his body stopped aching everywhere. 

“And here,” Pomfrey wrote Harry a medical slip, “give this to your professor, you will be late for your next class.”

“Thankyou,” Harry took the slip, pocketed the second vial and walked from the Medibay feeling better, the walk to DADA wasn’t tolling on his body masked by the pain potion. 

-

“Mr Potter, do explain why you are late to my class,” Umbridge’s sickly sweet tone hit Harry the moment he entered the classroom. “And on your first day to, hem hem, not a good start,” the woman in her bright pink clothes turned her beady eyes on Harry as she smiled. 

“Sorry Professor,” Harry held up his hand showing off the bandages, “I needed to go to the medi ward,” he walked forward holding out the slip from Matron Pomfrey. 

Umbridge turned and walked back to the front of the class leaving Harry standing confused. 

“Lies Mr Potter, you will learn will not get you anywhere, it is the first day of school, what could you possibly have done?” Umbridge trilled. 

“It happened outside of school,” Harry fumbled. 

“Then it wasn’t a school problem, hem hem,” Umbridge turned, “detention Mr Potter, for improper use of school facilities and lying.” 

“That’s not fair," Hermione said standing, “you can’t say he lied and say he used school facilities improperly, you are contradicting yourself.”

“Sit down Ms Granger, and students will raise their hands in this class if they want to speak, unless you would like to join Mr Potter in detention of course,” Umbridge watched as Hermione threw an apologetic look to Harry and sat. 

“My office tonight Mr Potter, after dinner,” Umbridge tutted, shaking her head and looking at Harry like he was a disappointment, “first day and already a detention, not getting off on a good start are we?” 

Harry shoved his note into his pocket and sat next to Neville, sharing his book, not daring to ask the Professor for one. He refused to rise to the woman’s baiting throughout the class, with her waffling about safe times and how as children they needed to be nurtured. Harry had never stared at a book so damn hard. 

-

The main hall was noisy as students ate their lunch quickly, discussing the day, or lack thereof for those already suffered through a class of DADA with Umbridge. 

“Another useless subject,” someone down from the trio said.

“Hem, Hem,” someone else mockingly copying the woman’s annoying sound she made. 

“It’s not fair,” Hermione insisted again.

“Drop it ‘Mione,” Harry said as he pushed his lunch around his plate. 

“Harry you need to eat something,” Hermione scolded. 

Pushing his plate away with a huff, Harry mumbled, “not hungry.” 

“Mr Potter,” McGongall’s stern voice, had Harry turning and looking up at the woman, “detention already?” 

“That wasn’t his fault, Professor Umbridge is picking on Harry. He went to the medi wing to get his hand seen and the Professor wouldn’t even take his note,” Hermione said, almost angry at her head of house. 

McGonagall arched an eyebrow and Harry pulled the crumbled note from his pocket and handed it over. 

McGonagall read the note and nodded, “I see, your hand?” 

“Better now,” Harry mumbled, showing off the bandages. 

“I cannot get you out of this detention, do it quietly and keep your head down Mr Potter,” McGonagall offered before moving on to break up two arguing first years. 

“Still not fair,” Hermione scolded. 

“Drop it,” Ron said, giving Harry a nod. 

-

-

The wall down to Herbology had been miserable for Harry but the pain relief had kept the worst of the agony at bay. And of course he once again saw Harry standing to the side as Ron and Hermione paired up, even Neville was semi fought over, mostly because he did all the work, happy with the plants. 

Luna had floated over to him and together they began to prune the plant, dried the leaves to be powered later for Professor Snape. 

“Sit I have this,” Luna said happily as she hummed, snipping off another leaf. 

“Thank you,” Harry was down right exhausted, he sat, glad to be right at the back of the greenhouse out of Sprouts view. 

“You should get yourself a Snorlax, they are good companions for sleep,” Luna said drying another leaf. 

“Sure Luna,” Harry just agreed, not evening knowing if a Snorlax was real or not, as he tugged the crumpled clothes order from his pocket. Quickly he ordered new socks, briefs, pants and shirts.

“Go the dark blue, look better on you than the light,” Luna added as he ticked off colours, just ticking random ones. 

“Really?” Harry queried.

“Here,” Luna passed over the bottle of dried leaves and took the pamphlet, stared at Harry a moment, before ticking off colours and crossing out others, “there that will suit you much better.”

“Ah thanks,” Harry stared at the choices and admitted he would never picked them outside of just ticking random colours. “Thanks Luna.”

“Any time, what else are friends for,” Luna smiled.

The rest of the class passed, with Harry drying and putting the leaves into jars and Luna hummed. It was actually nice, relaxing just being around the quiet girl, Harry enjoyed it, especially when he heard Ron arguing with Hermione over the fact he wasn’t drying the leaves properly. 

-

Breathing harsh, Harry slowly trudged his way back to the castle. The pain relief had long worn off and he didn’t know if it was worth it having the pain return after. 

But still he pulled the second vial and took it, sighing as the pain disappeared. Squaring his shoulders as much as he could, Harry joined the others as they made their way to the great hall. 

-

McGonagall chatted to Pomfrey, over the din that the students caused as they ate their dinner. “What state was Mr Potter’s hand?” 

“Quite bad,” Poppy answered easily, as the head of Gryffindor the woman was Harry’s guardian through school times. “Two broken bones, several damaged muscles, and a cut that was infected, but all cleared up easily. I am quite proud of the young man for coming to me without being forced.” 

McGonagall nodded, “a knack for trouble that young man.”

Snape frowned as he listened into the two women, without making it obvious he was doing so. He had noticed Potter cradling his hand, but in his class there had been no indication of injury. His hand appeared fine. His eyes flickered to the teen, watching him push his food around his plate, when he was sure no one was looking, the teen would push food off his plate, where it would disappear on contact with the table, before taking the tiniest of bites. Snape’s frown deepened. 

“Minerva,” Severus said casually.

“Yes Severus?” McGonagall turned to the man. 

“Do you check your students for abuse like I do my snakes?” Severus asked casually. 

McGonagall rolled her eyes, “not this again Severus. You know I don’t, my lions know that they are able to come and talk to me and ask for help, not everyone comes from abusive backgrounds.” 

“I would check on Potter, he seems far too quiet,” Severus muttered. 

“Why is that concern I am detecting?” McGonagall asked with amusement in her tone, “are you actually worried for a student not of Slytherin and that student being Mr Potter?” 

“Forget it,” Snape muttered as he went back to his dinner, trying his damnest to ignore the slurping harpy next to him. 

-

The bright pink walls and noise from crying cats assaulted Harry’s eyes as he walked into the office of Professor Umbridge, he had to do his best to school his face to not show his complete and utter disgust as he stared around. 

“Good evening Mr Potter, do sit,” Umbridge said in that sickly sweet tone. 

Harry sat and stared at the woman.

“You shall be doing lines tonight Mr Potter, not your quill,” Umbridge got up as Harry reached for his bag, he had borrowed some ink and quills from Hermione, after all lines seemed to be the favourite ‘punishment’ for detention. “You will be using a special one of mine.” 

A dark black quill was placed in front of Harry, it was heavy and the tip lined with metal as he placed it against the parchment before him. “What do you want me to write, Professor?” Harry asked tiredly. 

“I must not tell lies,” Umbridge smiled so happily. 

“How many times?” Harry asked. 

“Oh until it sinks in,” Umbridge gave that girlish giggle and sat. 

“I don’t have any ink,” Harry stated. 

“Oh you won’t need any,” Umbridge smiled and that look in her eyes that made Harry want to flee, instead he stealed himself and began to write. 

The pain didn’t start straight away, but as he finished his first line, Harry hissed, he dropped the quill as Umbridge stared at him, watching closely as he pulled the bandage off his right hand, and watched as his own scrawling writing etched into the back of his hand. ‘I must not tell lies.’

Harry looked up at his professor with wide eyes.

“Is there a problem Mr Potter?” Umbridge asked as she took a sip of her tea. 

Harry shook his head, “no Professor.”

The woman got up and leaned over, “Of course there isn’t. Because deep down you know you deserve to be punished, don’t you Mr Potter, you deserve everything that you get.” 

Harry’s throat hitched, his temperature heated suddenly and the need to flee grew so hard, he had to hook his feet onto the chair legs, Umbridge leaned in and cocked her head, “yes,” he managed to strangle out of his clamping throat, his heart racing as blood roared in his ears, “of course.” 

“Good,” Umbridge stood straight and Harry breathed as the woman moved away and back to her desk. “Write Mr Potter when the message is suitably sunken in, you may go.” 

Harry picked the quill back up, his breathing shallow as he wrote, every letter he wrote engraved the words deeper. He silenced his pained sounds, but soon blood began to seep from the cuts, dripping from his hand down onto the parchment. 

-

An hour later Umbridge leaned over his shoulder and stared at his hand, “that is enough,” she said. 

Harry was up and gone, his bag in his hand as he fled.

Ron and Hermione were still awake when Harry flung himself through the portrait and breathed as it closed behind him. 

“Harry,” Hermione stood, “what did she have you do?”

“Just wrote lines,” Harry muttered, his hand rewrapped with the bandages he had on earlier, hiding the bloody words, it had become so normal for him to hide his wounds now, he didn’t even think of telling his friends. 

“Are you tired?” Hermione asked. 

“No,” Harry knew there was no way he was sleeping that night. 

“Come and see this, I was working on it all holidays,” Hermione towed Harry to the chairs Ron was sitting at. 

Harry sat expecting some prattle on about some new idea, as Hermione pointed to a massive pile of parchment. At least it would distract him from the thoughts rolling around in the back of his head. 

“So over the break, I decided to get into my family history,” Hermione started. “I found out there is a potion that can give you the family history back to however many generations you want.” 

Harry actually perked at that as Ron mumbled. He already heard it all multiple times. “There’s a potion that does that?” 

“Yes,” Hermione said gleefully, she pulled a massive roll of parchment. “See that’s me,” she pointed very obviously to her name and then rolled the two sides of the parchment scroll out. “Left is my mothers side and right is my fathers.” 

“Why are those names glowing blue?” Harry asked, pointing to several on the mothers side quite a few generations back. 

“That is because they were magical,” Hermione's voice was shrill with sheer delight. “My six times great grandmother was a witch.” 

Harry stared, “but I thought you were a muggleborn?” 

“I am. Both my parents are muggles. But there is magic in lime heritage. So of course I had to learn more,” Hermione began to ruffle through the parchment as Harry stared at the scroll. He knew next to nothing about his family, he wondered if he could do something like this. 

“Here, so my fifth great grandmother had five children. My fourth grandmother,  Hermione pointed to the name directly under the glowing blue one, “was born a squib. Now squibs were even less tolerated back then, then they are now,” Hermione's voice clearly showing her disapproval. “So my fourth great grandmother was given for adoption at the age of eight when no magic was shown to a muggle family.” 

Hermione sat back grinning, “I also thought it was a bit odd that magic just appears from nowhere. There has to be some connection for traits to pass. Like eye colour, you got your green eyes from your dad Harry. Magic couldn’t just appear from nowhere.” 

“It could just be a fluke,” Harry stated.

“Oh wait it gets better,” Ron mumbled. 

Hermione shot Ron a look, “that is why I ordered ten more potions. Sirius thought my idea was sound and he funded it for me. Honestly I think he is just getting a kick out of the fact, IF my hypothesis is right it shoves blood purity back into the pureblood faces. But I will take financial help.” 

Harry’s hands shook slightly, Sirius helping Hermione over the break as he suffered alone. He swallowed, “so what’s this hypothesis?” 

“That there is no such thing as a muggleborn. We all come from some kind of magical heritage. Most likely through a squib being turned out of the magical world. I am going to go and see if some of the other muggleborn will take my test and we can see if there is magic in their DNA,” Hermione grinned.

“DNA?” Ron rolled his eyes. 

Hermione snapped, “I already explained this, Ronald.” 

Ron rolled his eyes again and Harry had a small smile. This reminded him of the SPEW thing that Hermione tried to get going last year. But at least this time it seemed a bit more of a reasonable thought process. 

Hermione prattled on about how she thinks the treatment on squibs is terrible and Harry sighs and there it was, outrage on someone else’s behalf. 

“Sorry ‘Mione, I am tired, going to head to bed,” Harry said as he stood. 

Glancing at the clock in the common room, Hermione nodded, “it is getting late,” she quickly packed her reports away as Harry fled leaving Ron behind as well. 

-

Quickly Harry drew the curtains to his bed, cutting off the dirty looks Seamus and Dean were sending him, before sitting on his bed staring at his broom, placed safely against the wall at the end of his bed, its twigs still misshapen and warped. 

He didn’t know what to feel about Sirius in that moment, so it was just another thought, emotion that Harry shoved down, trying to ignore the hurt he felt.

Sighing, Harry made sure his curtains were drawn tight and spelled to not open, before he eased his uniform off, glad for buttons and he didn’t have to pull it over his head.  The glamour dropped as he pulled the pot of paste out, placing it beside him, as he unwound bandages from around his ribs. 

The paste stung as he rubbed it around the edges of the wound, but it worked for his hand, so he kept going, before saying the spell Pomfrey showed him and was happy when it worked, fresh clean bandages wrapped around his torso and Harry smiled, that solved one problem he had. 

Quickly he dabbed the paste over other cuts and scrapes he had that showed potential signs of infection, using the paste sparingly, unsure when he would be able to steal some more.  

Dressing quickly Harry reset his glamor, except his hand, Umbridge would likely be suspicious if there wasn’t something, the words were shallow on his hand, hopefully they wouldn’t scar. 

Wound attending completed, Harry’s thoughts turned to Sirius again. He thought he had an adult figure in his life that he might have been able to trust. It was why he clung to him so hard. Stories of his parents, learning things he never knew of them. It was why he had trusted Lupin so much. Just small glimpses of what he might have had if James and Lily had lived. But - but now. Harry hugged his knees to his chest, why hadn’t Sirius written, even with the ban, why hadn’t he protested with Dumbledore, he would have still written if it wasn’t for Hedwig. 

Harry stopped his thoughts as tears fell. 

Sirius had broken out of Azkaban, surely Grimmauld wouldn't have been that hard. Come to him in his dog form. 

Harry huffed as his anger grew, his fist clenched tight, he was so angry in that moment. 

Angry at Sirius.

Angry at his ‘friends’ who didn’t seem to care that Hedwig was missing, not even noticing. 

Angry at his so called ‘family’. 

Angry at Dumbledore. 

Harry seethed and his magic rose with it, crackling around him, surely - surely anyone would have been better than the Durselys. He would have rather been placed with the Malfoys. He side throbbed along with his hand, and his anger abated. 

No, Harry shook his head, no he knew exactly how much he meant in the lives of the adults around him. And it acquainted to absolutely nothing.  

His mind flickered to Privet Drive and he shuddered. He wasn’t going to go back, when the train dropped them off at the end of the school year, he would just disappear. Go to Gringotts quickly, get money out and hide somewhere, get a hotel room and disappear, he would never ever step a single foot back in that house again. 

A loud rumble disrupted Harry’s thoughts as he placed a hand on his belly, he hadn’t eaten much at dinner. A loud pop, had Harry jumping, fumbling for his wand on his forearm, “DOBBY!” Harry gasped as he relaxed as the crazy elf appeared in front of him. 

“Mr Harry Potter, sir,” Dobby squealed happily, loud enough that Harry was glad he had silencing charms up as well. 

“Dobby? What are you doing here?” Harry asked. 

Dobby ears wiggled, “I keep watch of you Mr Harry Potter sir, you gave me freedoms and your stomach grumbled.” Dobby clicked his fingers and an array of food appeared over Harry’s bed. 

Slightly disturbed by the fact the elf said he was watching him, Harry looked at all the food and it was actually off putting. 

“Dobby,” Harry shook his head, “it's too much.” 

Dobby’s ears dropped and he looked like Harry had just punched him, “I made Mr Harry Potter sir unhappy, such a bad elf,” Dobby clicked his fingers. 

“No, no,” Harry protested. “I am hungry, but soup, do you have some light soup?” 

“I cans do that,” Dobby popped out and Harry sighed, and the mad elf was back moments later with a breakfast tray, a bowl of chicken soup, several pieces of bread, a small bowl of butter and even a glass of milk.

“Thank you,” Harry said as he picked up the spoon, for some reason Dobby watching him eat didn’t worry him, maybe it was because the crazy elf was talking about his sock collection, it was just so insane, it felt normal. 

Dobby didn’t care either that it took Harry ages to slowly eat his soup, one piece of bread and half the glass of milk, but Harry felt full for the first time in ages. 

“Thank you, Dobby,” Harry said meaning every word, “thank you.”

“Your welcome Mr Harry Potter sir,” Dobby wiggled his ears. 

“Call me Harry Dobby please, you’re my friend you don’t need to call me sir” Harry winced at the extra long title.

“FRIEND!” Dobby squealed and Harry flinched at the sound. 

“Sorries,” Dobby giggled, “I am Harry’s friend. I am a free elf, I get paid for my work by the Headmaster, but you Mr Harry, I will be your elf.” Dobby grabbed the tray and disappeared with a pop. 

Shaking his head Harry smiled, it was kind of nice actually, especially when the elf wasn’t trying to kill him anyway.

-

“No stop,” Harry whimpered as he crawled backwards, the large shape of his uncle leering at coming forward. 

“Come here freak,” Vernon’s voice echoed in Harry’s ears. 

Hands, hands everywhere shot out at him, touching him, pawing at his clothes, Harry thrashed as he screamed his hands battering at the ones grabbing him, ‘LET ME GO!”

“HARRY!” Ron shouted. 

Harry woke, his breathing harsh as he looked around, eyes wide and scared as he stared at Ron, covered in sweat. 

“Harry?” Neville asked from behind Ron, eyes concerned. 

“Mate you were screaming ‘no’ and ‘let me go’” Ron said as he let go of Harry who sat up. 

“Sorry,” Harry stumbled. “I - nightmare, about Cedric, sorry.”

Seamus and Dean muttered something as they pulled their curtains closed as Neville nodded and went back to his own bed. 

“Sorry Ron, I thought I had silenced the curtains?” Harry said as he pushed his glasses onto his nose. 

“You did, I saw you thrashing and I pulled the curtains back to wake you,” Ron answered.

“Ah - thanks Ron, go back to bed I am okay,” Harry slipped off the bed. 

“You sure?” Ron asked. 

“Yeah, I am just going to go wash my face and lie down again,” Harry wandered to the bathroom. 

“Okay, you say so,” Ron shrugged and went back and laid down. 

The bathroom was silent as Harry washed his face, before putting his glasses back on. The nightmare still rolling around inside his mind, Harry shuddered as he went back to his bed, but he didn’t sleep, instead he stayed awake the rest of the night, just staring into the darkness, his roommates soft snores around him, were not reassuring. 

-

-

Ron was telling Hermione in a ‘quiet’, which wasn’t so quiet, voice about Harry’s nightmare as Harry listened and pushed his breakfast around his plate, his stomach still felt like a massive knot after last night. 

“Mr Potter,” McGonagall called as she stepped up behind the teen. 

Harry stood and turned to his Head of House. 

“Your schooling needs Mr Potter, everything is there,” McGonagall said as she passed the shrunken down package over. “Best to take it to your dorm room, I am your first class of the day, do try and not be too late.”

“Thank you Professor,” Harry said, actually smiling, not caring as others gossiped around him, McGonagall nodded and kept walking. 

“I’ll meet you both in class,” Harry said to Ron and Hermione, taking off quickly towards the dorms. 

-

Gleefully Harry pulled on his new uniform and robes, leaving the rest of his new items on his bed, Harry grabbed the books and stationery he needed for the day, when his eyes fell on his order for everyday clothes. He froze, he really didn’t want to go to the owlery, “Dobby?” he called softly, unsure if the elf would come. 

“Mr Harry calls me, Dobby is loyal and answers,” the elf said cheerly as he landed on Harry’s bed. 

“Do you think you could go to the owlery and send this off please?” Harry asked as he picked up the order, with the bag of money attached to it. 

“I can’s do that Mr Harry,” Dobby gleefully took the order and disappeared with a pop. 

-

McGonagall had only just started teaching when Harry got to the classroom, the Professor merely nodded and motioned for Harry to take a seat.

“See mummy finally went shopping,” Draco smirked as he walked past him, but Harry ignored the silly little comment and sat down at the back. 

-

Minerva watched the class as they tried, some getting it first try like Ms Granger, others half attempts and ending up with goblets that croaked or jumped, others failed completely. 

Mr Potter was one of those, the young man had sat at the back of her double lesson, taking notes, but as the lesson passed, she noticed his head bobbed more and the teenager would jerk awake. 

The bell rang and she set the homework, “Mr Potter a moment,” she said as the teen went to file out with the rest. 

Harry sighed as he moved to the front of the class as McGonagall waited for the last student to leave. 

“Are you well Mr Potter, you seem tired and fighting to not sleep at the back of the class?” McGonagall watched as a faint blush went over Harry’s cheeks. 

“Sorry, I am not sleeping really well,” Harry muttered. 

“I overheard Mr Weasley saying you had a nightmare?” McGonagall stated. 

Harry winced, Ron and his big mouth, “it’s Cedric,” he said, giving the same lie. 

McGonagall’s face softened, “Mr Potter if you need help sleeping, go and see Matron Pomfrey, there are potions that can help. Chin up Mr Potter, it will get better.”

“Ah - yeah thanks Professor, I - I should get to the next class,” Harry left in a hurry.

-

Friday dinner came around quickly, and the homework load was massive, each Professor setting massive essays for each of their lessons along with chapters of reading to do. Hermione of course was going on about some timetable she had made that allotted set time for each subject. It was rigid and unchanging as always, Harry tuned her out, as he sat at the table pushing his dinner around on his plate. 

He was so stressed, his body throbbed. His side was getting worse despite the infection control paste and him stealing some Essence of Dittany in Snape’s class yesterday. Umbridge had given him another detention on Thursday and his hand ached. It was getting too much, far too much and Harry felt like he was a hair’s breath from a full blown meltdown.

The pain, the humiliation from Umbridge as her beady eyes watched him, even now he could feel people staring, the muttering that followed him everywhere. 

“- and I have managed to get three Gryffindor girls who are muggleborn to do the test to see if magic is in their line,” Hermione continued. 

It was too much, Harry’s head throbbed with a building headache. He needed to get away. He stood, grabbed his bag and walked out of the great hall, every eye on him as he left. 

“Harry?” Hermione went to follow. 

“Leave the bloke alone, we are all sick of hearing you talk Granger,” Lavender snapped, “let alone Potter who you have been non stop harping in his ear all day.” 

Hermione glared at Lavender and flopped back in her chair, “I am merely ensuring our best chances of passing with excellent OWLs.” 

“All you are achieving right now is to annoy everyone around you,” Lavender shot back. 

“Mione, they are right,” Ron said before wincing when Hermione shot him a rather unfriendly look. Before he buried himself back into his dinner. 

-

Harry found himself sitting in a window alcove staring out over the dark grounds. The hallway he was in was one of the quieter ones, with much shorter paths to the classrooms. He wanted to be alone, wanted quiet. And most of all somewhere safe he could sleep, his glamour hid the darkening circles under his eyes. 

A soft pop had Harry looking around to see Dobby staring at him. 

“Does Mr Harry Potter need anything from Dobby?” the elf asked. 

“No thank you Dobby,” Harry murmured before he leaned his forehead on the glass, “not unless you know of some old classroom or anywhere I can go and not be found.” 

“I know a place,” Dobby said excitedly. “Very secret.”

Harry blinked, he had made the comment as a half jest. He got off the window and followed Dobby who led the way to the seventh floor and to a blank wall, opposite the rather silly tapestry of trolls in tutus and ballet slippers.

“There’s nothing here,” Harry murmured. 

“Walk back and forth in front of here thinking what you want three times and the room you need will appear,” Dobby wiggled his ears excitedly. 

Shrugging Harry did as he told, he thought of somewhere safe, a place he could relax and recover in peace. To his surprise a door appeared and he moved to it. 

Inside was a room with thick soft carpet underfoot that his shoes sunk into. The walls were a pale blue and immediately Harry felt calmer as Dobby followed him in and the door shut and disappeared. 

Immediate panic filled Harry and the door reappeared. 

“Anything you want this room will give, Room of Requirement,” Dobby said so cheerfully, “does this help Mr Harry Potter?”

“Yes,” Harry sighed, “yes it does, thank you Dobby. Thank you so much,” Harry pictured the door gone again and it disappeared. 

“Can I get a bed?” he asked the room and a bed appeared in the corner. 

“Cool,” Harry whispered, for the first time in a very long time there was a lightness to him. “Can anyone find this room?” 

Dobby nodded, “but must know where to walk, three times and can’t be used by someone else. If the room is already in use unless you invite them in.”

Even more relief filled Harry in that moment. He kicked off his shoes and socks before burying his feet into the soft carpet sighing as a comfortable lounge chair appeared and he collapsed onto it. Finally, finally able to relax properly, he fell asleep on the couch, Dobby covering him in a blanket before popping out. 

-

AN : Okay so I know its a tiny bit repetitive right now, but next chapter the bigger changes will start taking place, I just really needed this set up here to be in place first. 

But as always would love to hear what you think. Drop a kudos if you are enjoying so far.

I am planning to update on a fortnightly to monthly basis. Just depends on how long I spend on Pets chapter rewrites as well as working on this.  

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

AN:  Italic writing indicates writing, letters ect. 

Underline is parseltongue. 

Onwards and enjoy. A nice 6100 words for you today. It is a little time jumpy, but I hope it is understandable, I wanted to get to where this chapter ends in this chapter and not drag the start of the fic out any longer. 

-

-

Harry woke covered in sweat and crying out as if in pain, hands up to defend himself. The room was quiet as lights came on in a soft glow, he sat breathing hard.

He was alone. 

He was safe. 

The room that Dobby found for him was silent, the soft carpet squished under his feet as he sat up on the edge of the bed. No one heard, to care he had screamed and had nightmares. His breathing slowed as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He needed a shower, he stank. Pondering where the nearest bathroom was, the corner of the room warped and a small bathroom appeared. 

“Thank you,” Harry murmured, not sure to whom but he stripped and showered. 

A pop had Harry freezing. 

“Mr Harry Potter, sir, an owl brought you a package. I brought it for you,” Dobby’s voice called over the water. 

Muscles untensed and Harry relaxed, “thank you Dobby.”

Harry washed slowly, taking time around his ribs, everything else was healing well except his rib wound. Wrapping the massive and very soft towels around him, Harry ventured out of the bathroom to the bed, where Dobby had placed his mail. 

Inside was all his new casual clothes, rather gleefully, he pulled on a brand new pair of underwear, pants that actually fit him nicely, without holes in them, of course in his natural unglamoured form they were a bit loose fitting but it was so much better than the hand me downs he tossed to the side. A new soft shirt went on last and Harry couldn’t stop stroking the soft material. 

“Thank you Dobby,” Harry smiled at the elf who wiggled his ears. “Do you think you could get me my school bag, from my bed?”

-

Harry sat slowly eating at the desk that had appeared when he thought of one. He was working on the ridiculous essay that Snape had set for them. It was comforting being able to just eat at his own slow pace, as he studied, no Hermione saying they weren’t studying fast enough, her time table being ruined by them. No Ron asking question after question. No other students all around muttering quietly to each other. Just stillness of quiet and Harry loved it. 

Saturday disappeared under a barrage of homework and reading set, before he curled up on the bed, belly full with a delicious dinner Dobby brought him and Harry settled falling asleep as soft music filled the room. 

-

Sunday was spent just as quietly, with no more homework Harry felt refreshed and he actually had slept well, only one nightmare to torment him. He lounged, grazing slowly at food, as he tried to read, but his eyes were hurting from yesterday so instead he just lounged around. Enjoyed another long shower, the water flowing over him, before another wonderful sleep. 

-

Monday morning came far too quickly and Harry reluctantly pulled on his school uniform, wanting to stay in the Room of Requirement, but he felt refreshed, happy even. He had the entire week of homework done and to what he felt was actually was a good standard. Maybe this week would be better, he had managed to catch up on sleep, managed to actually eat some food properly and not just a few mouthfuls. He got Dobby to take his clothes back to his room as he drew a deep breath and left.

-

“Harry!” Hermione stood as she spotted him, “where have you been? Ron and I looked everywhere for you.”

Sitting down Harry smiled as Hermione glared at him, who blinked as she realised Harry seemed - well happy. 

“You okay mate?” Ron asked. 

“I am really good,” Harry smiled, as he ignored breakfast, he had already eaten, thanks to Dobby. 

“Harry,” Hermione snapped again, “you can’t just disappear like that. I really should have reported you missing to Professor McGonagall. Ron said you weren’t in your dorm, your school bag was missing. We didn’t see you at all over the weekend. Where were you?”

Feeling his good mood evaporating quickly, Harry huffed. “I was stressed Hermione, it was getting too much. I just needed somewhere to be alone and relax. I found a discarded classroom and studied on my own. I got all my homework done and the reading set. I just needed space okay?” 

“Where did you sleep?” Ron asked as Hermione dove on Harry’s bag and rifled through it, seeing that indeed all the homework was there completed and ready to be handed in. 

“The dorm, I came in late and left early, I slept in one of the empty rooms,” Harry lied. 

“Where?” Hermione asked, eyes narrowing. 

“Go right to the top floors, there are heaps of empty rooms up there,” Harry answered and it was true there were plenty of empty dorms up in the highest floors. 

“Well as long as you weren't breaking any school rules,” Hermione huffed. 

“No rules were broken Hermione,” Harry answered, before getting up, “come we will be late for potions.” He grabbed his bag back off Hermione and began to walk, ignoring the grumbling from Ron. 

-

As usual, Ron and Hermione sat together, as Harry took his seat beside Neville, glad to pull out his own new book. 

“I agree with you, so you know,” Neville said softly.

“Sorry?” Harry questioned, confused. 

“About getting away, I sometimes slip down to the greenhouses on the weekends, to get some air and get away from everyone,” Neville grinned. 

Harry smiled back, “thanks Nev.” 

“I thought I explained myself in a comprehensible manner last week, but clearly it didn’t sink in. Potter and Longbottom,” Severus snapped. Almost amused at two pairs of eyes widened coming up to him. “Seperate, I will not have half this class dead because of how useless you both are. Zambini swap with Potter, let’s see if my top student in Mr Malfoy can bring you to some kind of standard Potter.” 

Severus’s eyes scanned the class landing on Draco who looked at him pleadingly, which he returned a stern look and Draco dropped his eyes, even as his lips moved in a mutter in a teenager form of rebellion. 

Harry winced slightly as he gathered his things, Zambini glaring at him as he walked past. Like it was his fault, Harry thought annoyed, but he still took his seat next to Malfoy as the other Slytherins snickered. 

“Potter and Malfoy you will be brewing partners for the foreseeable future, don’t make me ask you to change seats again Potter,” Severus glared down at the teen. 

“Yes Professor,” Harry mumbled. 

“Don’t do anything I don’t tell you to do Scarhead, I will not fail this class because you are useless,” Draco snapped. 

“Whatever Malfoy,” Harry dryly said, his eyes flickered up to the board, where Snape had written out that day’s potion, “I will go get the ingredients.”

“Hurry up,” Draco snapped. 

‘Great,’ Harry thought sarcastically, ‘not like he hated potions enough as it is.’ He quickly grabbed down what was needed, when his eyes landed on small bottles of Essence of dittany, he quickly snatched one and pocketed it, before heading back to the table, where Malfoy muttered about him taking forever. 

-

Snape watched the class carefully, why on earth Albus insisted on Slytherins and Gryffindors brewing together, he had no idea, it was completely ludicrous. He had to spend the entire time watching for sabotaged potions because another student dropped something extra in. Potter and Malfoy were squabbling, especially over Potter’s terrible knife skills, having of course mutilated the roots.  

“No -” Draco made a sound of annoyance, “it is cubed centimetres, not this mess,” he guested over the mess on the chopping board. 

“And how am I supposed to know that?” Harry snapped. 

“Because it says it, are your glasses just for show?” Draco picked up the text book, “there,” he pointed at the ingredients list, “twelve pieces of dried hawthorn root C.C. that means cubed centimetre.”

“Huh?” Harry said as he blinked, so that’s what that meant. 

Draco stared at Harry, “are you serious?” he sounded flabbergasted, “you are telling me you haven’t even learnt that in four years of potion classes? You are a bigger idiot than I realised.”

Harry shrugged as he diced what was left of his root in the centimetre cubed as needed. 

-

Snape stood staring down at the cauldron, “for once Mr Potter you have managed to create something I would actually deem usable, of course Mr Malfoy did most of the work, five points to Slytherin.” 

Harry grinned as Snape kept walking and Malfoy bottled up a vial for testing. He grabbed his and Malfoy's assignment scrolls and took them to Snape’s desk, where Malfoy added their potion clearly labelled. 

Outside of Malfoy’s grumbling it had actually been a good class, Harry thought as he and Malfoy cleaned up quickly, as Snape set another ridiculous essay for next week. 

-

-

Whatever good mood Harry had started the day in had completely evaporated. Exhausted and mentally frail after serving another detention, Harry trudged into the common room, just before curfew would be called. 

Umbridge had spent the entire hour berating him, saying how he was useless and deserved everything he got, as the skin on his hand split open and bled sluggishly. 

Walking straight past Hermione and Ron, ignoring them as he trudged up the stairs, he was in no state to deal with anyone right then, not without snapping and having a complete mental breakdown.  

His hand throbbed and he just knew that he would be serving detentions after every class with the woman, his hand was already so sore and going to scar, but then what was a few more. 

-

Curtains pulled tight Harry ignored the muttering from his dorm mates, as he pulled the small bottle of dittany, the stopper inside the lid was tiny, but Harry held it over his still sluggishly bleeding hand and placed three small drops, sighing as the cuts welled over and healed, the words were still there but not as vivid. 

Umbridge’s words whirled around inside his head, blending with taunts from his ‘family’. He wasn’t going to be sleeping that night, he would most certainly have nightmares, he tucked the Dittany away and pulled out his homework, if he was staying awake all night he may as well study. 

-

“MR POTTER!” McGonagall called loudly as she noticed Harry nodding off again. “Do you not sleep at night?”

“Sorry Professor,” Harry forced himself to stay awake for the rest of the class.

-

Hermione was prattling on about him falling asleep in class, saying how he really needed to do better, as she handed him notes. 

“Yes Hermione,” Harry said softly, as he pinched the inside of his arm hard enough to bruise as he fought to stay awake over dinner. 

-

Sobbing Harry woke suddenly, he had stuffed the corner of his pillow in his mouth to suppress his screams he knew that would happen. Ghost hands roamed his body, as his eyes glanced around looking for his attackers, when he remembered where he was, he curled up into the smallest ball he could, fighting the need for sleep as he kept pinching himself to stay awake. 

-

Wednesday predictably followed the same as Tuesday as Harry fought to even listen to his Professors droning on about whatever they were teaching, Hermione passing him notes giving him irritated looks at the end of each class that he stuffed into his school bag. 

The Great Hall was very loud as Harry stood just outside the door, he was so tired, and wanted nothing more than to sink onto a warm bed and sleep. He turned away, stomach rebelling at the idea of food even being in it and headed for the fourth floor. 

His room of sanctuary was exactly as he remembered it, quiet and calm as he settled into the bed, that tired he didn’t even get out of the uniform, just kicking off his shoes and dropping his bag onto the floor, he curled up under the blankets as the soft music filtered in the air again, as his eyes closed and he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. 

-

-

It was finally the weekend, well almost, as Harry relaxed back in a giant tub in the room of requirements. It was Friday night and he didn’t care in the least that he should be downstairs eating in the great hall. But Dobby, the amazing elf he was and Harry had so to him, making Dobby squeal with such happiness, had brought him a platter of finger foods, which he slowly grazed over. 

Fingers wrinkled and Harry completely relaxed climbed from the bath, which vanished with a pop behind him. He dried off quickly, before redoing the salve around his wounded side and got dressed, enjoying the thick warm night clothes he had ordered. 

Sitting in bed he stared at the letter he had started for Sirius, multiple scrunched up papers littered the bed, telling of many started and failed attempts at writing to his godfather. This current letter literally only had ‘Snuffles’ at the top. 

Harry picked up his self-inking quill and stared at the parchment. 

Snuffles

I missed you over the summer break. I had hoped to see you, have a friend I could talk to. 

Harry screwed his nose up. But unsure how to reword himself he continued. 

H is working on her project, annoying nearly every halfblood in the school, she said you helped her with it. 

Harry sighed he wasn’t sure if he was being petty or not. 

School is good I suppose, Snape is being his usual surly self, setting stupidly long essays. Umbridge is the worse DADA teacher we have had and that is saying a lot, her - Harry paused and looked at the red words etched into his hand, - detentions are unusual, she has me writing lines with a quill that hurts my hand.

Harry chewed his bottom lip, wondering if he should say more. But would it even make any difference. So he changed the subject.

Quidditch starts this weekend, we are playing against Ravenclaw, first game of the year. I really should get a broom repair kit, it has a few twigs out of place and needs a good polish after the summer. 

Harry grimaced again, now he was sure he was being petty, but Ron and the others had damaged his broom slightly. 

I really should go and get some practice in before the game this weekend. 

That is it I suppose, just wanted to say I missed you. 

Harry

Whilst he wasn’t completely happy with the letter, Harry still folded it up and sealed it. “Dobby?” he called. 

“Yes Mr nice Harry Potter,” Dobby cried happily as he appeared. 

“Could you take this to the owlery and see it sent off please,” Harry handed the letter over. 

“Right away Mr Harry Potter,” Dobby was gone, leaving Harry to lay down and get some very much needed rest, of course after he knocked all his failed letters off the bed first. 

-

-

-

Snape sat at the head table staring over the students, his eyes flickering back to Potter. The teenager was confusing him. It had been two full weeks since term started. It was Monday start of the third week and the teen seemed cheerful after a weekend of absence again. 

He had overheard Granger one day in the study hall as he monitored the students saying Potter was missing again. He should have pulled her up and asked about the whereabouts of the teenager. But Weasley had shrugged, saying Potter was likely hiding in the classroom again. And did it matter as long as he got their study done. 

Snape pondered the teen, annoyed he was even thinking so much about the brat. But on weekends he disappeared to reappear looking happy and well rested. Handing over excellent homework, well written, neat and precise even if a few mistakes here and there. The rest of the staff were praising Potter at the start of the week. All of course but the toad slurping beside him. 

But by Wednesday the brat was handing in lackluster work and he acted like he was exhausted even as he looked fine, only for the brat to seem fine on Thursday and then exhausted again on Friday, it couldn’t be the work load set by the staff, it was rigorous but not that bad or all the students would seem frazzled. 

Severus put the teenager from his mind as he finished his breakfast, ignoring the stupid hums coming from the halfwit beside him. 

-

Monday like usual Harry entered the common room just before curfew, his hand hurting from another round with the blood quill. Thankfully Umbridge had been more than happy just sitting and reading some love novel from the picture of the couple kissing on the front, leaving him to write in peace. 

“Harry come and see,” Hermione called excitedly. 

Too tired to protest, Harry moved over to Hermione and Ron and collapsed into a chair. 

“I spent the weekend getting ten other halfbloods to do the test, so far it seems my theory is correct, every single person has a magical ancestor,” Hermione began to shuffle massive rolls of parchment, “each is at least five generations between magical ancestor and to today's magical person.” Hermione grinned, “I am going to write letters to the families and see if they remember who the first non magical was in their family, be especially interesting if they are a squib.” 

Harry nodded as Hermione prattled on about how she believed that she was correct that all magic in someone had to come from somewhere and she was going to prove it. 

-

It was late when Harry dragged himself to bed, he tried to sleep, but once again nightmares kept him awake. He was beginning to suspect that the snoring of the others was causing his nightmares. 

-

Wednesday rolled around and a letter arrived, it was from Sirius, that Harry stuffed into his coat pocket like it didn’t matter during breakfast, where it sat feeling like a massive weight as he tiredly went through the school day, until he managed to sneak away to hide in the Room of Requirement. 

Hey cub, 

I’m sorry I couldn’t come and see you, Moony would have very much liked to visit as well. I was restrained to the house. I wasn’t even permitted to write to you, which I made very much known I wasn’t happy about. 

School is school and you do what you can, it isn’t all that important really. I would love to be there for your game, you will have to tell me how it goes. Beat those badgers and get the snitch.

Harry read about how Sirius remembered one of James’s games and how clever he had been. A part of him devoured those words, learning about his father, but another part wondered if he cared. He sighed as he went back to the letter. 

Tell H well done, I do hope it ends up being true, imagine the look of Lucius Malfoy the pompous arse’s face when he finds that out. Does she need more potion tests, I can get them and send them to you if she needs them. 

Chin up pup, detentions are just to make the professor feel more powerful, but go to Dumbledore if she gets out of hand, he will sort her out. 

Good luck in your game this weekend. 

Snuffles. 

Harry set the letter aside, Sirius had more to blabber about with his father and past games and Hermione’s project asking if she needed more help. He curled up on the bed and stared out across the room, Who was Sirius to him really? He was just some man that his parents were friends with, their friends not his. The man had bought him a few gifts, yes admittedly expensive gifts, but what else? Rolling over Harry buried his face into the pillow, he needed sleep, tomorrow was going to be hell. 

-

Nightmares had plagued Harry that night and he had barely slept. He was sitting at the back of DADA and was refusing to rise to any of Umbridge’s digs. 

“Mr Potter? What did I just ask?” Umbridge’s sickly sweet voice broke Harry’s concentration on scribbling on a piece of parchment. 

“Sorry Professor I wasn’t listening,” Harry may as well admit it, he was getting detention one way or another, may as well make it a real reason and not some made up reason. 

“It seems my class is boring to you Mr Potter, detention,” Umbridge hummed. 

“I will be here tonight after dinner,” Harry droned. 

“Oh no, not tonight, I have a better idea, as you won’t pay attention in your actual classes, you will not be having privileges of extracurricular activities. You will not be playing in the Quidditch game this weekend.”

Half the class uproared.

“YOU CAN’T DO THAT!”

“HE IS OUR SEEKER!” 

“THAT’S UNFAIR!”

Harry just sat staring at Umbridge whose face twisted knowing she had got him, where it hurt. 

“Class will be SILENT,” Umbridge smiled, “any more disruptions and the entire class will not be allowed to watch the game.” 

The entire class quietened down, the Gryffindors giving Umbridge dirty looks. 

-

“Harry -” Angelina ran up to Harry as he entered the hall, “what is this? You aren’t allowed to play in this weekend game?”

“No Umbridge said I wasn’t paying attention in class so I can’t play,” Harry answered. 

“We only just held try outs - which you weren’t there for,” Angelina said voice hard. “Ginny is good, but not as good as you. Pay attention in class Harry, we need you.” Angelina stormed off. 

Looking down the Gryffindor table, angry eyes glared at him, dotted with eyes that held pity, he hated them more than the angry, he turned and found a quiet corner to sit in. 

-

“Harry,” Ginny said running up to him, “can I use your broom this weekend please, I can only use one of the school’s brooms, they aren’t as good as your firebolt.”

“I don’t know Ginny, it is rather important to me,” Harry thought of the damage he had just finished fixing last night, Sirius had sent him a kit. 

“Come on Harry,” Ginny begged, “you got kicked out of this game, please don’t make me ride those old slow brooms, think about it.” 

-

The rest of the day different members of the quidditch team came to him, asking to hand over his broom for the one game. Finally he relented and handed it over, extremely reluctantly, but Ginny cheered and hugged him, before running off to go practice. 

Harry kept to himself the rest of the day. 

-

Saturday finally rolled around and Harry tore himself from his sanctuary and began to wander down to the Quidditch pitch. 

“Harry,” Luna said dreamily as she joined him, “going to watch?” On her head was the lion hat she liked to wear to games. 

“I thought I would go and cheer my team on,” Harry smiled, or at least he hoped it was a smile. 

“HEM, HEM,” came a loud cough, and Harry closed his eyes as he turned. 

“And where do you think you are going Mr Potter?” Umbridge called from the side corridor. 

“Down to the game Professor, I am not flying, just going to support my team,” Harry answered, trying to keep his tone as polite as possible. 

“You are banned from this game Mr Potter. And as you are so clearly disregarding my authority. You are banned from all further matches for the rest of the year. Hand over your broom. No child should have such a broom,” Umbridge held her hand out. 

Harry bristled, anger finally rising, “I don’t have my broom, Ginny is using it for this game. And you can’t do that, I have done nothing to get a full year suspension from Quidditch.”

“What you have done Mr Potter since you have started from the first day is be disrespectful, I can punish you so and I will not have any nonsense in this school,” Umbridge turned and began to head towards the Quidditch pitch. 

Harry’s breathing was hard and he felt so angry, his fist clenched so hard his hand began to ache where the words were carved into his hand. 

“Harry?” Luna asked. 

“She can’t stop me from flying for the whole year,” Harry hissed. “I’m going to Dumbledore.” He turned to head back into Hogwarts, “go to the game Luna, if you can get down there faster than Umbridge and warn Ginny, I don’t want that harpy touching my broom.” 

Luna nodded and took off quickly towards the quidditch field. 

Harry stormed off to Dumbledore’s office, hoping the headmaster would put an end to this stupidity. 

-

“Ah - Sugar quills,” Harry huffed as he said about the dozenth sweet, “Ice mice,” he tried next, when the large stone gargoyle moved to the side. Letting the staircase take him up, Harry breathed slowly to calm himself as he stepped to the door and knocked. 

“Enter Harry,” Dumbledore called. 

“Headmaster,” Harry said as he walked in and sat down on the other side of the table.  

“What can I do for you, my boy. I am very busy,” Dumbledore stated. 

“Professor Umbridge just banned me from the rest of the year of quidditch. I was given detention and told I couldn’t play this weekend. I was just going down to watch and she said I was disregarding her authority and banned for the rest of the year, she can’t do that,” Harry said voice actually cracking slightly the amount of desperation he was feeling.  

Dumbledore sighed and put his quill down, “I shall speak to Professor Umbridge, but I am afraid she can do that Harry, if you were rude -”

“But I wasn’t,” Harry protested as his hand throbbed. He lowered his eyes to the words he traced his thumb over them, “sir, she is hurting me, I’ve been made to write lines -”

“Lines are not hurtful Harry, every teacher does that,” Dumbledore said as if exasperated. 

Harry shoved his hand over the table, “using a quill that uses your blood to write?” he asked.

Something went through Dumbledore’s eyes, but it was gone just as quick, “I will talk to her on this. Now is that all my boy?” 

“No,” Harry shuffled on his chair, now he was here and shown one thing, “I - do I have to go back to the Dursleys? Can’t I just summer with Sirius?”

“Harry,” Dumbledore sighed as if weary of the conversation already. “You know you can’t, you are safest over the summer there.”

“Professor please, they - they were worse this summer,” Harry felt whatever rage he had over Umbridge and quidditch disappearing rapidly, replaced by desperation to not go back. 

“I’m sure you can handle a few weeks of chores, now off with you, I am very busy. Oh and Harry, do try and not annoy Professor Umbridge so much, I am aware you have had two detentions with her every week already, not a good look my boy,” Dumbledore stared at Harry over the top of his glasses. 

“Yes Headmaster,” Harry said softly as he stood, dull acceptance surrounded him as he walked to the door. He felt - numb - as the staircase took him down. Not caring where he went, he just began to walk. Once again an adult didn’t care, he had shown Umbridge’s punishment and the man had hardly blinked. 

-

Harry blinked as he stared at the painting of a wizard with trolls in tutus and he realised he was out the front of the Room of Requirement. He paced back and forth thinking of his quiet space, his heart beginning to race when the door didn’t appear. 

He quickly paced back and forth three times, and once again the door didn’t appear. Panic began to set in, what if he lost the room, his quiet room, no he needed that room. Blood roared in his ears as he began to hyperventilate, that room was his only peace in this school.

He ran, he needed somewhere quiet, he needed space, he needed solitude. He ran blindly, panic fully over taking him, he didn’t even notice the bunch of seventh year Slytherins in his path. 

Harry grunted as he collided into the back of one of the seventh years. He bounced back and landed on his arse with a thump. 

“Look out Potter,” the seventh year turned and Harry saw it was Rutherford. “Are you - are you crying?” the teenager sneered. “Look at Potter, crying, all because you were kicked off the quidditch team?”

“Not so great are you Potter?” another sneered, as Harry climbed to his feet. 

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled as he made to walk past the group. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” Rutherford lashed out, grabbing around his upper arm, not noticing the increase in breathing and Potter’s eyes going round. 

“Please let me go,” Harry whispered as he tried to tug his arm from the much stronger boys grip. 

“Going to make me?” Rutherford sneered. He pulled Harry tighter against him, amused by the scared whimper Potter let out. “Our Lord is back, I wonder how he would reward me if I was the one to bring you to him. You won’t get away, not next time, we will win.”

Harry’s heart rate increased, his fear mounting, not because of Rutherford’s words, but because his breath was hot against his face, hand gripping his arm so tight, Vernon’s sneer began to replace the one on Rutherford’s, before one of the others began to laugh, Dudley’s laugh overtook it inside his mind. 

Hot fluid ran down the inside of Harry’s leg as his fear grew to extreme and Ruthford sneered as he stepped back, hand still on Harry’s arm, “did you just piss yourself?”

The entire group burst into laughter as Harry whimpered, “let me go,” he whimpered. 

“You’re a freak,” Rutherford sneered and Harry lost it. 

‘FREAK, FREAK, FREAK,’ Vernon and Dudley’s voices filled his head and his magic reacted. It pulsed out hard, slamming Rutherford away from him, sending him flying back into the wall behind him, a meaty thud followed by Rutherford’s unconscious body, slumped to the floor, blood pouring from a wound on his head. 

“YOU KILLED HIM!” one of the girls screamed. 

Harry stared for a moment at the limp Rutherford and he ran. He ran and ran, not caring as he slammed through groups of students. Not even seeing Flitwick in his panic, not hearing him calling his name. He had to get away, he had to get away. 

He tore through the door and into the bathroom, racing for a toilet and he vomited, his whole body shaking with fear and adrenaline. Escape, he needed somewhere safe, he needed to hide. A soft keen left him as he collapsed onto the floor, the smell of his own urine from his wet pants, had him sobbing, he was a freak. His uncle was right, Dumbledore didn’t care, Sirius didn’t care, Ron barely left Hermione’s side, Hermione was caught up in her proving magic project. He was alone, all alone. He wanted to just be safe, why was that too much to ask for. 

“Harry?” came Moaning Myrtle, who stared at Harry from her toilet. 

“Leave me alone,” Harry sobbed quietly. 

“I will get help,” Myrtle said as she knew something wasn’t right and drifted through the wall, despite Harry calling for her to stop.

Harry shivered, he didn’t want help, he didn’t want to go back. He had to have killed Rutherford or at least hurt him badly, his wand would be snapped, he would be sent back. His breathing elevated again, his heart rate raced again, as he got up and stumbled to the sink. He couldn’t go back, he couldn’t, he vomited, sick filling the sink, when his eyes fell on the snake symbol. 

The Chamber of Secrets. 

Harry reached over and traced the symbol. 

No one could get to him there, no one could punish him, make him write lines with his own blood. No one could touch him. He would be safe. He would be alone. 

Open he hissed, watching as the grate slid back and the tunnel opened. 

Loud footsteps echoed down the hall, running towards the bathroom. “Wait for me,” Umbridge’s shrill voice echoed down the hall. 

Harry began to shake, not her, not her, he thought, he jumped. 

Close, he hissed as he began to slide down, above him he could hear the grate sliding back into place, locking him in. 

-

McGonagall came flying around the corner into the bathroom, just after the stone slid back into place. “Potter?” she called breathing just slightly hard. 

Myrtle floated in through a wall, “he was here,” she said before making a long low mournful sound as she slipped into her toilet. 

“COME OUT NOW BOY!” Umbridge came in, her face red and puffy from her run down the corridor following Minevera. 

Snape following closely behind as he came from a different direction.

But the bathroom was silent, Potter wasn’t there. 

“FIND HIM!” Umbridge snapped, “attacking another student, it is completely disgraceful. I will be checking on Mr Rutherford and then I shall be writing a report to the Minister on this blatant violent attack.” 

“You will not be checking on Mr Rutherford,” Severus said icily as he turned on the pink toad. “You will find Mr Rutherford is one of MY students, as the head of Slytherin house I am Mr Rutherford’s guardian whilst in this school. I will of course inform Mr Rutherford’s parents of what has happened and then it shall be their decision on what happens to their son, not you. As to Mr Potter he is Minerva’s student as his head of house, Minerva is Potter's guardian and not you. You have no say in what happens here.” 

Umbridge puffed up, “I have been appointed to be a staff member by the Ministry to this school.” 

“Then do your job and teach and stop interfering with duties that are not yours,” Severus scathed. 

“We shall see about that,” Delores puffed and turned on her heel and stopped off. 

“You have stirred a hornets nest with that one,” Minerva stated. 

“Maybe,” Severus said dryly, “but it was fun.”

Minerva actually smiled, before it fell, “Mr Rutherford?”

“He is with Poppy, I will go and see to him shortly, now Mr Potter?” Severus started. 

“I don’t believe he attacked him,” Minerva said sharply. 

“Too many witnesses said he did, but” Severus held up his hand, “nor do I believe my snakes have told me the full truth of what caused Mr Potter to react so.”

“Why Severus,” Minerva grinned, “you are not immediately jumping to your snakes defense.” 

Severus arched an eyebrow, “Mr Potter reacted magically against what I presume was a verbal and maybe even a physical altercation. If my snakes are telling me the truth, Potter urinated on himself. That is fear Minevera, it takes true fear to make a teenager lose control of his bladder.” He paused for a moment, “Mr Potter is different to last year, I believe he may have been abused over the summer.”

Minevera turned on Severus sharply, “you mean his family?”  

Severus gave a slight shake of his head, “don’t know, other years he hasn’t been like this, he is usually aggressive back to adults, but these last few weeks he is almost meek and quiet. I don’t know if it was his muggle family, maybe a visiting relation or a friend, but something or someone hurt Potter over the last summer, that I could bet on.” 

Minerva looked concerned, “we need to find him.” 

Severus nodded before he sneered at Myrtle moaning in the toilet. “I will ask the Baron to get the ghosts together to scan the school. They will find Potter wherever he is hiding, you send Hagrid to search the forrest. Potter could have run from the school and gone out there, in a bid to escape. Remember Minerva if I am correct, Potter is in a very fragile state, he will be easily spooked and will run.” 

Minerva nodded, out of all the staff, Severus dealt with the most abused children, she would defer to him on the knowledge of this area. “I will go see Hagrid now,” she took off, as Severus scanned the bathroom, noting the vomit still in one of the basins. He banished it with a wave of his wand and went in search of the Baron, knowing his usual haunts. 

-

I know not my best chapter I have ever produced. I just really wanted to get Harry down in the Chamber. Where the story starts to progress. Just wanted everyone to see Harry is in a very vulnerable place mentally and physically. 

So I made this chapter jumpy from time spot to time spot. But from now on it should run a hell of a lot smoother. 

Chapter Text

The common room was full of students cheering on the Gryffindor team, the party paused as McGonagall stepped in. 

“I want to congratulate the team on an excellent game,” McGonagall said smoothly. “Well done Ms Weasley.”

Ginny flushed bright red at the praise. 

“Now I will take Mr Potter's broom please and has anyone seen Mr Potter?” McGonagall asked. 

People looked around blankly as Ginny raced upstairs to her room to fetch the broom. Umbridge had tried to take it from her but the game had already started and at some stage during the game, most of the staff had disappeared. Only a few remained to watch and supervise. 

“Mr Weasley, take me to your dorm please,” McGonagall followed up the stairs and noted that all of Potter's things were still in place. 

“What is this about Professor?” Ron asked, “is Harry in trouble? There are rumors he attacked a seventh year.”

“You shouldn’t listen to rumors Mr Weasley, now if Potter returns I would like you to keep him here and send someone to one of the staff,” McGonagall paused, “that is not Professor Umbridge.”

“Not bloody likely,” Ron muttered. 

McGonagall kept her smile from showing. 

“Umm Professor,” Ron started before pausing. 

“Yes Mr Weasley?” McGonagall turned back to her student. 

“Harry has gone missing every weekend, he says he spends his days in an empty classroom, studying and comes back late at night and sleeps in one of the upstairs dorms that are not used” Ron added. 

“Thank you Mr Wealsey,” McGongall nodded, leaving the dorm room she made her way up higher in the tower, checking every empty room, but found nothing, not even any evidence of a bed that had been used. The elves had either cleaned up, tidying the bed or beds used or Potter was lying about where he was sleeping at night. 

Finished searching the tower, Minerva slipped back downstairs, collected the broom from Ginny, before heading out. 

The Fat Lady was humming a nonsensical tune, as Minevra closed the portal. “Let Mr Potter enter if he comes, and send one of the others to inform me or another staff member he has returned to the common room.” 

“Of course,” The Fat lady waved her hand at Minevra before the woman left, heading to her personal rooms to store Potter’s broom, keeping it out of Delores hands. 

-

“HARRY!” Hagrid called loudly as he began his search, Fang beside him. It was dark in the trees, despite the fact the sun was still overhead, he moved deeper arm holding a massive lamp out in front of him. 

“HARRY,” he roared, voice echoing through the trees. “Come on Fang.”

-

Severus sat next to Rutherford's bed, he was marking homework as he waited for his student to wake up. Poppy had just finished her assessment on the young man.

Dumbledore came in looking tired, “how is Mr Rutherford?” 

Severus put down his marking, “Poppy said he will be fine, will have some bruising and has a slight concussion from where his head impacted the wall. But the cut was superficial, but head wounds do bleed excessively even when minor. Mr Rutherford will make a full recovery in a day, two at most.” 

“Good,” Dumbledore nodded, “any news on Harry?”

“Mr Potter as far as I know still hasn’t been found. Hagrid is currently searching the forest and I have the Baron leading the ghosts in a full search of the school. He will be found eventually,” Severus answered smoothly. 

“Good, good,” Dumbledore said, seemingly distracted. 

Severus' eyes studied the old wizard, but said nothing as the man left. Dumbledore knew something and wasn’t saying. Filing the information away Severus kept marking. 

-

Half an hour later Poppy came to the bedside, Rutherford's parents behind her. Severus stood and moved out of the way as Mrs Rutherford moved to her son's side and brushed his hair back. 

“What happened?” Mr Rutherford asked. 

 Severus nodded to Poppy, “I have this,” he said smoothly. 

“Call me if you need,” Poppy left the bedside and went to her office. 

Severus put up a silencing bubble. “Your son was attacked by another student.”

“And where is this student?” Mr Rutherford growled. 

“He is currently still missing. I believe the student reacted defensively. I have accounts of others that were witnesses and I do believe your son was verbally attacking the other student,” Severus explained. “Whilst the other student shouldn’t have done so, your son was also being a bully to a fourth year.” 

“A fourth year?” Mrs Rutherford asked. 

Severus nodded. 

Just then Rutherford groaned and he shifted his eyes, opening slowly, “mother? Father? What are you doing here?”

“Poppy, he is awake,” Severus called after dropping the privacy bubble.

Severus and Rutherford’s parents stepped back, watching as Poppy checked over the young man.

“You are fine Mr Rutherford,” Poppy said, stepping back, “you will be light headed for a few days, but you are healthy and will suffer no lasting consequences." 

“Thank you Poppy, I have some questions for Mr Rutherford,” Severus said with a stern look on his face.

Poppy nodded and once again left for her office. 

“Potter attacked me,” Rutherford said as he sat up.

Severus sat down in the chair he had been marking in.

“Potter as in Harry Potter?” Mrs Rutherford asked. 

“Yes,” the student nodded. 

“I am aware of Mr Potter’s magical reaction, what I want to know is what led to the event occurring,” Severus asked. 

“I was with my friends in the corridor, when Potter just collided with me, he was running around like he was crazy, he was - crying.” Rutherford's eyes flickered over his parents, “I grabbed him and -” Rutherford paused.  

“You know the results if I find you are lying,” Severus reminded his student.

Rutherford blanched, “I said I wonder how our lord would reward me if I took Potter to him.”

Mr and Mrs Rutherford lips pursed tight as they glanced around nervous as if someone would overhear.

“What else?” Severus asked, not giving away his irritation with his student who was more than old enough to know better.  

“Potter panicked, he asked me to let him go and then he pissed himself. Professor Potter pissed himself,” Rutherford frowned, “I called him a freak, Potter’s face went strange like I had hurt him, then I was thrown back and I hit the wall. It goes blank after that, I am telling the truth, professor.” 

Severus nodded, “I believe you are. Now I believe that Mr Potter's magic reacted to your verbal and physical attack.” Severus stood turning to his students' parents. “I believe this doesn't need to go any further, whilst Mr Potter did magical attack your son, it was clearly done in defence. Your son was also talking of subjects that he really shouldn’t be leaving his lips at all. It would not be good for your family if it got out just yet to whom you serve.”

Mrs and Mr Rutherford glared at their son, “no this will not go any further,” Mrs Rutherford nodded, “though will Mr Potter be reprimanded for his actions?”

“Mr Potter will be suitably reprimanded for his actions,” Seveurs nodded, “you may take your son home for the rest of the weekend. Please inform him how his words could get him and your family in trouble if the wrong people over heard him.”  

“We will,” Mr Rutherford glared at his son, “I shall teach my son exactly when to hold his tongue, he will be brought back in time for his classes Monday.” 

Severus watched as his student lowered his eyes. He nodded to the parents and he left, his mind twirling his snakes had said the truth Potter had urinated on himself. This was getting more complicated; they needed to find the teenager before he hurt himself. 

-

“HARRY!” Hagrid called, he was now very deep in the forest, much deeper than any student should ever enter. It was very dark, the sun had gone down and the moon light couldn’t penetrate this deep into the trees. 

A rustle of leaves had Hagrid turning, Fang let out a deep growl, when a huge figure moved into the light of Hagrid’s lamp. 

“Groundskeeper, you are deep in the forest this night?” a deep voice rumbled. 

“Good evening Bane,” Hagrid sighed as he lowered his lamp, “I am in search of a student that has gone missing.”

“Very dangerous for a human foal to be in this forest, so many creatures that would delight in tender flesh,” Bane stepped forward, his huge horse body now visible. 

Hagrid flinched at the idea of Harry meeting some of those creatures, “it is unsure he ran into the forest, but still searching in case.”

“What does this human foal look like?” Bane asked. 

Hagrid held his hand up around Harry’s height, “this tall, black hair, green eyes, scar on his forehead.”

“I will send my stallions out,” Bane said smoothly, “I shall talk to the unicorn herd as well, we will see that the forest is scanned for any human foals.”

“Thank you Bane,” Hagrid sighed, the centaurs and unicorns could cover much more ground and far quicker than he ever could.

“You have done much for my herd, I am happy to search for your missing foal,” Bane let out a sound much like a challenging stallion would, it echoed through the trees around them. 

“His name is Harry,” Hagrid said. 

Bane nodded, “I will send one of my stallions with your missing foal or with knowledge he is not in the forest.” 

Hagrid nodded as Bane turned and disappeared into the dark, “come Fang, let’s go home.” 

-

-

-

Harry sat silent, his breathing shallow, hardly wanting to breathe, ears listening for even the slightest sound, but there was nothing following him, no sound of a body sliding after him, chasing him. 

Relief hit hard and Harry’s legs wobbled as he collapsed sitting on the pile of bones as he shook. Adrenaline left him as his body sagged, he had hurt another student, the blood everywhere. He had killed him, he had to have, Harry let a soft sob leave his lips, even if he hadn’t killed Rutherford, he had hurt another student, it wouldn’t be allowed, Umbridge would see his wand broken, he would have to go back to - his stomach churned at the thought, he vomited, nothing but bile left him. A soft sound left the back of his throat at the burning sensation in his throat and the vile taste left behind. 

No, he wasn’t going back, he wasn’t going back to that house. He wasn’t going back to Hogwarts, even though technically he never left the school, but he wasn’t going back up there. He couldn’t, he wasn’t safe, no where was safe with other people, they only wanted to hurt him, humiliate him, use him. 

The shaking slowed as Harry calmed his breathing down and his heart settled, mind made up Harry began to take note of the aches returning in his body. His side in particular throbbed, he dropped the glamor and lifted his shirt, the bandage was soaked through with blood, carefully he peeled it off and indeed he had opened the wound back up and worse, there was pus. Carefully Harry poked at the wound and more blood and pus weeped. He thought it had been healing, but clearly the infection cream wasn’t strong enough. 

“Fasciae vulnus,” Harry muttered and new bandages wrapped around his ribs, he would have to take care of it another day. He dropped his shirt and automatically pulled the glamour into place once more. 

He shifted and winced as the wetness of his pants clung to his legs and now he wasn’t worried about his side, the smell of his own urine wafted over his nose. The heat of embarrassment flushed over Harry as he remembered peeing himself. He had done it before when - no don’t think of that, Harry shuddered as he slowly peeled off his wet trousers. Even though his underwear were soaked through as well, Harry refused to be completely naked. Carefully, Harry began to make his way deeper, using his wand he shifted some of the fallen stone to make enough room for him to crawl through, past the degrading basilisk skin and deeper into the system. 

-

The door sealing the Chambers was closed, Harry paused as he stared at it, he hadn’t closed the door when he was down here last, but maybe it self shut after some time. OPEN, he hissed and he watched as the stone snakes moved, pulling back and the door creaked open. Stepping through he pondered a moment, CLOSE, he hissed, the stone door slammed close and Harry settled even more, two doors only parseltongue opened now stood between him and the rest of the world. 

“Orbus luminis,” Harry flicked his wand and a single orb left his wand, lighting up the area around him, repeating the spell several more times until half a dozen orbs floated out. Harry began to explore the orbs floating around him, following along. 

The great figure of Salazar loomed over the centre walkway. The great mouth was once again closed as curiosity drove Harry forward, skirting the skeleton of the basilisk, he began scouting for a place he could set up as a comfortable home. After all he lived in a cupboard for most of his life a tunnel was a great improvement on that. 

Without impending death and a giant snake trying to kill him, Harry let himself explore and actually enjoy the artistry that it took to make this chamber. 

Wandering around the giant chin, Harry spotted the base of what looked like stairs tucked in behind the beard of the man. Curious Harry began to climb the stairs, his wand out in case. 

The stair curved slightly and inside the great ear was a door, made of wood the same colour of the stone it was invisible unless you were right on it. Trying the knob Harry found it locked, OPEN, he hissed and the door clicked and began to slide open. 

“This is so cool,” Harry whispered, wondering if even Voldemort knew about this, if as a teenager he had found it. 

Stepping through the door Harry found himself in a tunnel, his orbs illuminated ahead showing it was only a few metres long before it opened out again. 

Curiosity growing Harry kept moving forward, wand still ready in case when he stepped into a circular room it was decorated with antique furniture, dark woods still gleaming under the soft lights from his orbs which floated around. 

The ceiling was domed and an old candle chandelier hung from it. Metal snakes curved to make the design, their open mouths or curled tails where the candles would be placed. 

Soft carpet in a deep forest green squished under his shoes as he walked in.  Landscape paintings filled the walls, the largest was a portrait of Hogwarts in its early years. Despite the colour scheme being very obviously Slytherin. The deep greens of materials and dark browns of the wooden furniture was nice and it was calming, Harry felt himself relaxing completely. 

A large fireplace took up a large section of one wall and Harry could imagine himself curled up on the soft carpet reading in front of the fireplace.  

Five doors were placed along the wall spaced apart equally, but right then Harry was more interested in finding a bathroom and getting out of his wet pants, then a deep exploration of what was clearly the hidden chambers of Salazar Slytherin. 

Behind the first door was a library, which Harry didn’t even step into merely closing the door he went to the next and found a bedroom. Hoping a bathroom was connected he moved into the room, a large four poster bed with what looked like a very soft mattress took up most of the room. A material screen covered one section of the room, hoping that was the bathroom, Harry moved to it. 

On the other side was a wooden circular tub, large enough for a fully grown man to soak, along with a pewter large pot. Realisation dawned on Harry when he saw not a single tap or any evidence of running water. Hogwarts was built in the 10th century, long before indoor plumbing was even a thing. It was only expected that the hidden chambers hadn’t been upgraded when the rest of the castle had been as well.  

Vague memories of one of his aunts' tv shows, chamber pots had been used, which was likely what the pewter pot was for. Shifting to it, he could see there were ruins carved around the inside and now that he was looking for it, there were ruins along the walls and ceilings of the bedroom. He really needed to find a book on ruins and work out what they did, but for now he guessed they were what had kept this place immaculate and not rotting away with time. For even preservations spells eventually wore away and this amount of time, they definitely wouldn’t still exist. 

Moving to the bath, Harry eyed the wood, it was still pristine, the wood smooth under his hands and he ran them over the wood, wondering if it was still watertight. Wand still drawn Harry pointed it into the tub, “aguamenti,” he said and water streamed from his wand, filling the tub quickly. There were no leaks in the ancient tub and when it was close to full Harry stopped the flow of the water. He wracked his mind from the heating spell, when it finally came to him, “fervefacio,” the water began to bubble and turned into a rumbling boil. Cursing himself Harry banished the boiling water, “wrong spell,” he muttered to himself. 

He turned his mind back to the class, when Hermione’s rather annoying over exaggeration of the spell came to his mind, “calida aguamenti,” he said and warm water poured from his wand. Bath full, Harry tested it and found the temperature perfect, stripping feeling safe this deep in the castle, Harry sunk into the warm water. Yeah he couldn’t stretch out but just sitting in the water was nice. His side protested under the bandages, but Harry didn’t care as he washed himself with his hands, a series of bottles sat on a nearby shelf, but even Harry wasn’t stupid enough to just try them. His mind turned to his trunk and his things, he needed a way to get to them. But for now, Harry simply relaxed, enjoying the quiet, enjoying knowing no one could find him down here, no one could hurt him down here and most of all he couldn't be forced to go back. 

-

Dry and dressed in a dressing gown that had once belonged to Salazar, which quite frankly was ugly, and as Harry walked it dragged on the ground behind him Salazar had to have been a very tall man. His side was redressed in clean and dry bandages, but it was still aching terribly.  

Despite the pain and well accustomed to it, Harry was tired, exhausted from the emotions of the day, the bed was inviting as he laid down on it, sinking into what he realised was a feather filled mattress, whilst it was soft, it actually wasn’t that comfortable. Making a mental note to see if he could find a mattress to bring down here along with his things, Harry drifted off the sleep quickly, his light orbs floating around the bedroom lazily. 

-

(Sunday morning)

The staff room was quiet, half the staff was there, most looking tired after a full night of searching with no results, Potter was still missing. 

Severus was nursing a coffee, rather glad that Umbridge wasn’t with them, instead taking her turn eating in the main hall watching the students, not all teachers had to eat there on weekends. He was in no mood to be putting up with her endless prattle on how Hogwarts was failing, what faculty wasn’t up to standards and which students should be “brought under control”. For once he was rather glad of the Weasley twins; they seemed to be making the woman’s life more of a misery than his own, from how much she complained about them. 

The door to the room opened and Hagrid walked in, his huge form squeezing through the door, as Minevra looked up, eyes hopeful, but the large man shook his head. 

“The centaurs and unicorn herds have scoured the forest, Harry isn’t there,” Hagrid said, he too looked tired, “I searched the edge of the lake and around the entire base of the school, the train station. Nothing,” Hagrid sagged. “I even went to Hogsmeade but no one has seen him.”

“We will find him, Hagrid, go and rest,” Minerva stood. 

“Please tell me you didn’t say Harry Potter was missing all around town?” Severus drawled. 

Hagrid shook his head, “no I just asked if a student has been seen.” Then Hagrid’s face dropped like a puppy that had been kicked, “what made him run like this?” 

“We will find out when we find him,” Minerva patted the half giant on his back. 

Hagrid nodded sadly and made his way back out of the teachers staff room. 

“The ghosts have scoured the school multiple times and nothing,” Filius stated, “if he isn’t in the school or the forest or grounds, where is he?”

“Is it possible Mr Potter left the school grounds?” Pomona asked. 

“Unlikely,” Severus stood, “there are two places ghosts can’t search, Headmaster’s office, but the portraits would have said if he was there. I will go see if Potter is in the Room of Requirement.”

“The Room,” Minerva sighed, “of course, let’s hope, I shall join you.” 

Severus nodded, if Potter was there he rather not be dealing with the teenager on his own. 

-

Severus watched as Minevra paced back and forth, but the door wouldn’t open and Severus could almost be enthusiastic, the room was in use.

Minerva stepped up to where the door should appear, “Room of Requirements, we have a missing student. Open and reveal your door as commanded by a Professor of this school.”

A door appeared and Minerva opened it slowly, “Mr Potter?” she called softly. Before Severus watched as anger passed over Minerva’s face. 

He stepped forward and he let out a very irritated huff of air.  On a bed in the middle of the room were two seventh year Hufflepuffs, eyes wide as they looked at the two Professors, hands scrambling to pull the sheets over them. 

Severus said harshly “you will get dressed Mr Wilson and Ms Stafford.” 

Minerva and Severus stepped out and closed the door, both giving each other irritated looks as they waited for the pair to come out. 

Eventually the door opened and the two seventeen year olds walked out, eyes locked onto the floor. 

“I will be writing to your parents,” Minerva said, voice low and cold, “about your disgusting behaviour.”

“Are we suspended?” Ms Stafford asked in a tiny voice. 

“For now, no,” Minerva stated smoothly, “but that will be a decision for the Headmaster and your parents about what is to be done with the both of you.” 

“Your immediate punishment, fifty points each,” Severus added, voice silky smooth that left both teens flinching, “from Hufflepuff for your lack of thinking and decorum. You will also be serving detention each evening until such time that a decision is made with your parents and the Headmaster. You will write a letter to your parents, the Headmaster and your head of house, apologising for your actions and how you will not be doing so again whilst in this school. You will report each day after dinner to whomever is on group detentions that evening.”

“Yes Professors,” both teens said miserably.

“Off with you, and I will not be finding you using this room ever again,” Minerva snapped. 

Both teens nodded and took off down the corridor to get away from the two irritated adults.   

Severus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, “not what we were hoping to find,” he stated.

Minerva nodded, “no, that’s it, there is nowhere else, where could Potter be hiding. Not without the portraits or the ghosts couldn’t find him. Severus,Minerva's voice lowered, “what if he did manage to find a way off the school grounds?” 

Severus pursed his lips, “I know Potter is aware of the tunnel under the Whomping Willow.” 

Minerva frowned and deepened, “how does he know that one?” she hissed. 

“Really Minerva you have to ask,” Severus drawled, “those three are always getting where they shouldn’t be.” 

“This is true,” the woman sighed, “I shall go to the Willow, it will be easier for me to slip under the tree in my animagus form.

Severus nodded, “I shall go around the others I know of and ask the portraits if they have seen any students use them and check to see if they have been used.” He turned away from Minevra heading for the nearest of the secret tunnels. He was getting rather over this search, if it wasn’t for the fact he was damn sure terror led the teenager to running he would be throttling the brat when he found him. 

-

Well Harry is now in the Chamber of Secrets with no intention of coming out. 

But as always let me know what you think. 

as for the double spacing I have no idea why it is doing that, trying to fix it. 

Chapter Text

Unaware of the search party looking for him above, curiosity drove Harry to explore his new home. So far the five doors leading off the main living area held the bedroom, a library, a potions lab which Harry had merely glanced at before shutting the door again and a tomb. Yep, a tomb, Harry stared at the large stone coffin, a figure in what Harry assumed was the man’s likeness was carved on top. Shrugging Harry closed the door and locked it again, it was kind of creepy knowing he was living in the dead wizard’s chambers whilst the man was buried in it, but honestly it wasn’t the weirdest thing that had happened in his life. 

Harry’s eyes flickered down to the very oversized shirt he was wearing, his clothes were currently soaking in the bath, which he should have done last night, so he had had searched through Salazar's clothing, the man’s pants certainly had not fit him, but the white shirt, which he was sure was a night shirt fell all the way to his ankles, so it would do. He really needed to work out a way to get his trunk back, and right then the only thing he could think of was to try and sneak back into the common room and pack it all up. 

But for now he opened the last door and was surprised, it wasn’t a room behind it, just a long tunnel that ended in a flight of stairs heading up. He wanted to explore, but he also wanted to be dressed in more than what was essentially a long dress. Shutting the door Harry moved to sit down on one of the couches, his stomach gave a grumble and he wondered if Dobby would be able to hear him down here. 

“Dobby?” he called. 

A loud pop was followed by a crying elf that clung to Harry’s legs. “Oh Mr Harry Potter sir, you are okay, so worried I was so worried.” Dobby cried as he hugged Harry’s legs harder. 

“I’m fine Dobby truly,” Harry managed to get his legs out of Dobby’s strong grip. 

“You went missing, everyone searching for you, I couldn’t find you, thought you were dead,” Dobby sobbed, pulling at his ears. 

“I’m alive Dobby, we are in the Chamber of Secrets, it’s going to be my home now,” Harry reassured when his stomach grumbled rather loudly. 

“Food, I get you food,” Dobby perked up, his ears rising when they fell again. “I supposed to tell.”

“Suppossed to tell who?” Harry asked. 

“Headmaster, I founds you, supposed to tell,” Dobby yanked his ears. 

“NO YOU CAN’T! DOBBY YOU CAN’T,” Harry yelled. “No please don’t,” his heart began to pick up. 

A soft keen left Dobby. 

Harry slid off the couch, “please Dobby, I can’t go back, I can’t.” 

Dobby keened louder as he stared at the wizard kneeling in front of him, when he paused, an idea came to him, “I am a free elf, I can choose you as my master, don’t have to answer Headmaster then.” 

“But - your free Dobby,” Harry protested. 

“I is free to choose, last master was mean and hurt me, but you won’t Mr Harry Potter sir is kind and good to Dobby,” the elf nodded quickly. 

“But -” Harry began again, 

“No but, I will be Harry Potter’s elf,” Dobby said seriously, face hard and determined. 

Staring at the house elf Harry knew Dobby wouldn’t be persuaded, it would be good to have company and the elf to help him, he knew he wouldn’t hurt Dobby even in the slightest. “Okay, but I don’t know what to do.”

A big grin crossed Dobby’s face, “Master Harry says he will take Dobby house elf into his home to serve and obey until death or dismissal. I agree and become your elf.” 

Taking a deep breath Harry nodded, “I Harry James Potter, take Dobby house elf to my home, do you agree to serve me and obey me until your death or dismissal?” Magic rose from Harry; he could feel it, a heavy sensation in the air surrounding him and Dobby. 

Dobby bowed low, “I Dobby house elf, take Harry Potter as my master until the day that I die, serving him loyally until the day I die or am dismissed from service."

“I also promise that I will never physically harm you or ask that you harm yourself, if I do you have every right to leave my service of your own choice,” Harry continued before the magic died down. 

Tears built and overflowed, “I knew you were the kindest master, Master Harry,” Dobby sobbed. 

Harry’s stomach grumbled again as the magic died down. 

“FOOD, I get’s Master Harry food,” Dobby cried out happily and left with a pop. 

By the time Harry had gotten himself off the floor and back onto the couch Dobby was back. Soup, bread, a small bowl of steamed vegetables and even a tiny piece of cake. 

“Thank you Dobby,” Harry fell on the food, eating slowly to not upset his stomach, but he ate as Dobby began to search around himself, the elf popping out and coming back with a stack of wood, some going into the rods that was beside the wall, which Harry realised was for wood storage, and some into the fireplace before it was lit. The warmth spread quickly into the room, before Dobby disappeared into the bedroom when he found it. 

Most of the food gone and belly full Harry went in search of Dobby finding him folding his clean and dry clothes. 

“Dobby, do you think you could get my trunk and broom, bring them down here, all my belongings?” Harry asked hopefully. 

“Straight away Master Harry,” Dobby popped out. 

Glad to be wearing underwear again, Harry pulled on his trousers and the long oversized shirt off, his own going on, he was much more comfortable in his own clothes. 

-

Ron raced down the stairs to the common room, he couldn’t stop thinking about Harry and how he was missing. Yes he had gone missing every weekend. But this time was different. He stepped into the common room and Hermione was not there. 

“Hey, Ginny,” Ron said as he moved to his sister, “go and get Hermione for me.”

“No,” Ginny retorted. 

“Now,” Ron snapped, “it’s important.”

“Whatever,” Ginny rolled her eyes, “as if you have anything important ever in your brain Ronald.”

Ron bristled, but Ginny got up from where she was sitting and went up to the girls' rooms as he sat at an empty set of seats near a small fireplace. 

Several minutes passed before Hermione came back down, joining Ron.

“What is so important?” Hermione asked. 

“Harry’s things are gone, they were there at lunch and now they are gone,” Ron said softly. 

Hermione blinked, before she nodded slowly, “Okay, we need to tell the Professors.”

“I also had another thought. Harry has gone missing, what about the Chamber of Secrets, we found it in our second year, Harry can open it, what if he is down there? It’s why no one can find him,” Ron continued. 

“Of course,” Hermione grabbed Ron’s hand and dragged him behind her out of the common room. 

“Hey where are we going?” Ron asked, startled, when Hermione came to a stop he almost crashed into her back. 

“Where is the entrance you never told me?” Hermione turned on Ron. 

“Moaning Myrtle's bathroom,” Ron answered, before he found himself rushing after a face walking Hermione. 

-

The bathroom was quiet, but it was late and they were getting borderline close to curfew. They were Prefects, but it wasn’t their night on watch and could still get into trouble. 

“Here, this is the entrance to the Chamber,” Ron said, pointing to the snake emblem. 

“Do you remember what Harry did to open it?” Hermione asked. 

“Yeah he just hissed something and it opened,” Ron waved his hand at the sink. 

“Try,” Hermione insisted. 

Nose screwed up, Ron made a strangled sound, nothing happened. He tried again and once again nothing. 

“And what are you two up to?” Snape’s low voice curled into the room, the man in the doorway. 

“Ah - we,” Ron stuttered. 

“Not suspicious at all Mr Weasley,” Snape stated. “You are both cutting it fine to curfew, off to your common room.” 

“Yes Professor,” Hermione tugged at Ron’s sleeve and they hurried out, further down the corridor she turned to Ron, “we will tell McGonagall in the morning.” 

Agreeing, Ron and Hermione raced back to their dorm. 

-

Severus moved to the sink where the teens had been, he tried the tap and it didn’t work. He had heard the entire conversation, he saw the pair entering the bathroom and followed, listening in at the door. He frowned as he noticed the snake emblem, fingers pressing against it, if the pair were correct, Potter was down in the Chamber. It made sense, ghosts, portraits, house elves, no one could find the teenager. It also meant he was unreachable, Severus sighed as he left the bathroom, he pulled the door closed, there was not much more he could do, resuming his night walk. 

-

Severus finished his rounds and was heading back to his rooms, as Flitwick took the next shift, when Minerva hurried to his side.

“You are not on duty tonight?” Severus questioned. 

“No, but I have something,” Minerva started, “I had Potter’s broom in my room. It was there this morning when I left, it is now gone.” 

Severus frowned, “no students can get into our personal rooms.”

“Well I just went to the dorms, Potter’s trunk, everything is missing too,” Minerva added. 

Severus inclined his head and led the woman into a nearby classroom and spelled a silence bubble around them. “I think, no this confirms it, Potter is still in the school.”

“But where Severus, there is nowhere else for him to hide,” Minerva queried. 

“There is one more place, it only came to me tonight. I caught Granger and Weasley in the girls bathroom on the fourth floor, just before curfew. Remember what occurred in Potter's second year?” 

Minerva frown deepened when realisation passed over her face, “The Chamber of Secrets?” 

Severus nodded, “I believe Potter is down there hiding for now.”

“How do we get him out?” 

“We don’t, we can’t open the doorway, it will be up to Potter to come out, he is obviously getting help somehow,” Severus murmured. 

A snort left Minerva, “Dobby,” she said unimpressed, “the elf fawns over Potter. Dobby come here.”

Nothing. 

“Dobby I am the deputy Headmistress I am calling you to come to me,” Minerva called firmly. 

Nothing, the elf didn’t come. 

“That solves that mystery, the elf would have taken Potter’s things,” Severus murmured. “There is nothing else to be done tonight Minerva, keep this between us for the moment, not even Albus. He never told us anything of what occurred with Potter down there. We might be wrong, but I doubt it, let us see what Potter does for now.”

Minerva nodded, “goodnight Severus.”

“Good night,” Severus took down the silencing bubble and they both left, heading to their rooms. 

-

Dobby sat up in his small nest made of material from the wizard that used to live in the chambers. His master was fast asleep on the bed, as he listened to the witch calling from him to come to her. But he could ignore the order, he didn’t have to listen to the professors anymore, the Professor stopped calling and Dobby settled back down into his nest, resting, ready to help Harry in the morning. 

-

Harry woke to the smell of bacon and eggs, his mouth watered as he got up and dressed, his side was starting to hurt very badly now and he needed medicine sooner than later. 

Dobby had the table ready, and Harry sat with thanks to the elf, eating, when he paused, “what about you?” he asked. 

Dobby shook his head, “I'll eat later.” 

“Dobby?” Harry said, “please tell me you have breakfast?”

“We elves eat after everyone, always food not eaten,” Dobby tried to reassure Harry. 

Signing Harry split the more than generous portions and placed a plate on the other side of the table, “please join me.” 

The house elf protested greatly, insisting it wasn’t right, but Harry eventually accepted Dobby taking his plate and eating as he sat on the floor. 

When they were both done, Harry pursed his lips, “Dobby, do you think you could get me some items from the medi ward?”

Ears drooped rapidly, “only some elves allowed in medi ward unless called by the Madam.” 

“All good Dobby,” Harry pondered as he got up and went to his trunk pulling out his map and invisibility cloak. Opening the map, he realised with a start all the students in the great hall, it was Monday. Of course his name wasn’t on the map, but he studied the pages, he would have to wait until night, less chance of being collided into. His eyes found Hermione and Ron sitting at the Gryffindor table, a small pang of want filled Harry. But honestly how much had they paid attention to him the last few weeks. He closed the map and looked up at the door that led from the living room. There was only one way to find out where it led. 

-

Severus sat wondering if hitting his head against the wooden table in front of him would be more amusing than the drivel that the Prophet was spouting. What wasn’t helping was the muttering and ‘hem hem’ noise coming from the pink toad sitting next to him. The student’s nickname for Umbridge seemed rather accurate, if he would of course never use it, out loud at least. 

It didn’t surprise him that Potter’s disappearance had gotten out, but it was the ‘theories’ that the paper had which was ludicrous. Out of the many ‘conspiracies’ Potter ran away after attacking another student, which was the only truth, the other ranged from him going dark and joining He-who-must-not-be-named. Running away and hiding back in the muggleworld. Potter had run away to become a professional Quidditch player. Or his personal favourite, headmaster had Potter on a personal quest. Who thought of this drivel? Severus folded his paper and put it down, his eyes scanning his snakes table, Rutherford was back, but keeping wisely silent on the subject of Potter. 

 What annoyed him the most about the paper, it was now out, he just knew his Lord would be summoning him that night, the only reason he wasn’t likely summoned this moment was because he was still a spy and needed to stay so. 

Severus shot the paper another disgusted look before he got up, may as well get a terrible day started. 

-

The Gryffindor and Slytherin class piled in and sat down. Malfoy sitting without a brewing partner now their class was a odd number. 

“Mr Malfoy I trust you can brew on your own,” Severus stated smoothly and the young man nodded. 

“Is it true Harry is missing?” One of the Gryffindor’s asked. 

Severus turned slowly on the student who gulped, “what has that to do with my class? Ten points from Gryffindor for wasting time. Now turn your page to fifty-four.” 

-

The school was a buzz once again mostly talk of Potter. But the Hufflepuff table was also rather unhappy with two of their house. Mr Wilson was sitting hunched over his lunch avoiding looks from his peers. Ms Stafford had already been collected from the school by her very angry parents.

Severus had a headache and he was guaranteed the day was only going to get worse. 

-

Harry was enjoying himself, he drew another passage onto his makeshift map. So far he had discovered that indeed the passages led higher into the school. The main tunnel led to an empty room right at the bottom of the school. It was set up more like living quarters than a classroom so Harry would assume it was Salazar’s official private rooms all teachers had. Instead of using the much easier entry he now had into the school Harry kept exploring. There were many more secret passageways that the Weasley twins or his father and his friends ever found. It was like a labyrinth inside the castle. Tiny corridors barely enough room for a grown man to fit through sat behind main walls. He had a feeling he could transverse the whole school without even using the main hallways. Salazar had been very clever when he and the other founders built this castle. Of course later Harry would find out they were servant passageways for when the castle was built house elves hadn’t been sworn to wizards and witches yet and staff and more wealthy students hired lesser status witches and wizards as servants. 

-

Harry studied the map closely; everyone was at lunch, including Madam Pomfrey, which left the hospital empty. He was standing at a concealed door, his cloak already over his head hiding him as he made sure every corridor close by was empty. 

Taking a deep breath he folded the map and placed it back in his pocket before pushing the door open. He paused waiting but there were no alarms. He knew an alarm went off when the main door opened but so far nothing. He propped the door open with a nearby chair just in case. Before he slipped towards the supply room. 

Remembering the supply cupboard arrangement and where the mediwitch had taken the infection cream and the pain relief from Harry opened the door. Immediately an alarm blared, Harry jumped. His heart hammered as he panicked. He pulled off his invisibility cloak and his arm swept the shelf with the pain relief sending vials to the floor as more ended in his shirt which he held up to catch vials. His eyes flickered to the door as he grabbed several pots of infection cream sending more vials flying to the floor before he ran with his load of potions and pots to the proper open door kicking the chair he slid into the passageway. Stopping only long enough to make sure the door closed properly before he was heading back down deeper into the castle. 

-

Sipping tea, Severus noticed Poppy jerk and got up leaving rather quickly. Curious Severus followed, it wasn't that far from him needing to go to his next class anyway.  

“Poppy?” Severus said as he caught the witch with his long strides. 

“Someone is raiding my supply cupboard,” Poppy said quietly. 

Severus picked up the pace wondering if it was Potter. Though his mind did move to the Weasley twins which noticeably were not at lunch. Though he would find out to his complete amusement that the pair were making a fake cat one which approached Delores after dinner and when she bent to pat it, the cat exploded sending slime all over the woman. Oh how he wished he witnessed that. 

Poppy waved her wand, turning off the alarm, her supply cupboard was open and vials scattered all over the floor; only two shelves had been raided. “What I don’t understand is my front door alarm didn’t go off,” Poppy sounded confused, “I should have gotten a notice if a student even entered my ward.” 

Dark eyes scanned the room and he noticed the chair laying on its side. Going to it he picked it up and placed it back on his feet, eyes scanning the area but as far as he could see there was nothing there on the wall. He turned back to Poppy who was picking up fallen vials. “Do a stock take Poppy see what is missing it might help us work out who put their was.” 

Poppy nodded, “do you think Mr Potter?” she asked. 

“It’s a possibility,” Severus answered, though he was damn sure it was. 

-

Happy with the fact he had gotten infection cream, Harry poured his collection of stolen vials onto the couch and began to sort through them. Whilst he had been gone Dobby had been doing some of his own "acquiring". Harry now had a more modern bath, a porcelain stand alone. A whole new bed, though the original was shrunken down and placed on top of a cupboard along with the wooden bath, along with fresh linens and towels. 

“Thank you Dobby,” Harry said as he sorted his potion vials as the elf listed off what he had gotten for the bedroom. “Though where did you get them from?”

“Hufflepuff house, many unused rooms for the bed, an unused teachers room for the bath and the linens from the supply cupboard,” Dobby answered as he came over and began to help Harry sort through his stash of potions. 

He had managed to grab several pain reliefs in his arm swipe along with several fever reducers. At least he had the sense to grab the infection control as he set the two pots to the side. Along with the useful potions and slaves he had grabbed some not so useful. 

Cramping relief (menstrual), yeah that wasn’t going to be helpful at all, Harry thought. 

“Dobby, can I get a box for these please,” Harry asked. 

A click of Dobby’s fingers and a wooden potions vial box appear. 

“Thanks,” Harry was really glad to have Dobby not just for the help but company.

Placing the menstrual cramping vials in the box he began to sort more. 

Boil cure -  let’s hope he didn’t get boils. Harry put them in the not so useful collection along with Deflating Draft, all Harry wanted to know was how many students blew themselves up to need that potion on hand. Poison Ivy Paste and let’s hope there was no poison ivy growing in the depths of the castle. 

Well at least he got the infection control and pain relief, it was a start. Peeling off his shirt Harry undid the bandages and the skin around the wound was redder than before. Carefully he rubbed the cream into the wound and straight away it began to cool and the throbbing eased. But it hadn’t healed the wound last time either. Fresh bandages in place and shirt back on hiding his still quite thin frame, Harry went hunting in the library. 

It took time but under a healing potions book he found the infection paste recipe under it was ‘for mild infections’. Well this was probably more than just mild. Harry flicked and the next page had Advanced Infection Control. 

Reading the ingredients list and the recipe Harry nodded surely he could do that. It didn’t seem overly difficult and without Snape breathing down the back of his neck he wouldn’t be so worked up or fighting off attempts to add extra ingredients to his cauldron. 

His wound was his first priority now, the infection paste was helping but it wasn’t strong enough. 

-

“You wanted to see me?” Severus asked smoothly as he entered Poppy’s office.  

“Severus, it seems our thief took mostly from the second shelf. I think they just took a swipe of their arm. Pain relief I think was their main goal but I say the alarm scared them.” Poppy handed over a sheet with the potions missing and the numbers. 

Severus arched his eyebrow at the mix, if it was Potter who was their thief he was most likely not after menstrual relief.

“They also grabbed two jars of infection control, that was all that was missing off the next shelf. They just knocked over most of the shelf in their haste,” Poppy continued. 

Severus' frown deepened, “mind if I keep this?” he asked, motioning to the paper. “I shall replace what has gone missing.”

“Of course. I just thought you would like to know,” Poppy frowned. “If it is Potter and he is hurt I would rather him take what he needs than suffer. I won’t say anything,” Poppy paused and looked unsure. 

“You know I won’t reveal anything you tell me,” Severus could see the witch wanted to say more. 

“Mr Potter never comes to me for help, unless he is unconscious or he is forced to be a teacher or his friends. He came to me at the start of the year. He had broken bones in his hands and a small cut that needed infection paste. He took the pot, I had to throw what was left anyway as it had been opened. But he took it, I thought he may have wanted to reapply the wound on his hand but when he woke in the morning see it was healed and throw away the paste. But what if he kept it because he was hiding more wounds?” 

“With what is stolen it is a potential,” Severus said slowly, his mind twirling. Maybe he needed to visit Potter’s family to find out exactly what happened to the teenager over the break. 

Nodding to Poppy Severus folded the parchment and shoved it in his pocket before heading for his rooms. He had to get ready, he was going to be summoned that night he just knew it. He needed to be mentally ready to face his Lord, he had only been before him twice since his resurrection. So far the man seemed more - aware, than he was before his downfall. Like his mind was more intact and less chaotic. But he held his hopes that his old Lord, the original man he decided to follow was back and not the deranged wizard that he decided to turn double spy against towards end of the war. 

-

Harry sat in one of the side walkways watching his map. Snape was in his quarters pacing. He was waiting, Snape's quarters were far too close to his classroom to make a comfortable attempt at raiding the man’s storeroom.  He had already located it and a grate opened up on the floor. He was just small enough to be able to squeeze through it. 

It was nearly dinner time and the man did indeed leave his quarters. But Harry watched as he didn’t go to the great hall. Instead went to Dumbledore's office and stayed there for a few minutes, disappearing clearly going through the floo. 

Harry waited a few more minutes watching Dumbledore’s office before he felt Snape wasn’t coming back anytime soon. He packed his map away and shifted to the grate that opened entry into the potion supply cupboard. 

Harry slipped the map back out and there was still no Snape. He placed his map down along with his cloak, sliding the grate out of the way Harry paused waiting for an alarm. Nothing. 

Carefully he eased his way through the small opening. Waiting for the alarm but still nothing. 

Quickly Harry snatched one of the baskets used for class to collect ingredients. Harry pulled the list from his back pocket and began to grab what he needed from the shelves. also taking a bottle of Essence of Dittany, before he slipped back through the hole and pulled the grate back into place. Grabbing his cloak and map Harry was rather pleased with himself as he made his way back into the tunnel system and through a secret door that was inside the servant’s tunnel and down to his living room. 

-

Severus sat quietly listening to Albus prattle on about Potter. The old man was hesitant on something it wasn’t obvious but Severus could see it in the tiny twitch of the old wizard's lips. The crease in the corners of his eyes, he knew something and wasn’t telling as usual. 

He was almost glad when his forearm gave the long familiar burn. 

“Be safe my lad,” Albus nodded. 

Oh how he hated Albus calling him lad, Severus stood and nodded to the man before leaving through the floo heading straight to Voldemort’s hiding spot, which currently was Lestrange Castle. 

Xerxes Lestrange elf greeted him at the floo, “follow me to the master,” the elf bowed, before turning. 

Severus followed the creature deeper into the manor before it stopped at a door and popped away. Severus knocked and the door opened to reveal an office area. Books lined shelves along a wall, and Lord Voldemort sat behind a desk reading what looked like paperwork. 

“My Lord,” Severus walked half way across the room and knelt on one knee, head bowed. 

“Severus, I found myself pondering this morning, how my arch nemesis is missing and yet I find out this information from a newspaper rather than my loyal servant,” Voldemort's voice was smooth and quiet undertone threatening pain. 

“My Lord, I believed it was an unnecessary waste of your time,” Severus answered still kneeling. 

“Is that sooooooo,” Voldemort hissed. 

“The boy is still in the school,” Severus looked up. “He has been missing only this weekend and he has been going missing every weekend since he came back to school this year. Returning for school on Monday, today was the first day he is officially missing.” 

“What makes you say he is still in the school?” Voldemort asked. 

“There is no evidence of him leaving the school. The wards weren’t tripped, nor broken. He wasn’t seen leaving through the gates, all the hidden exits have been searched and nothing. I believe Potter has merely found somewhere to hide, especially with the use of the invisibility cloak he has,” Severus let his annoyance of that cloak show in his tone. 

“Join me Severus,” Voldemort pointed to the chair beside the table. 

Relieved Severus stood and sat at the offered chair. 

Severus waited as his Lord seemed to be thinking as he too studied the man he had chosen to give his loyalty to. Outside the man’s outward appearance having changed drastically, the Dark Lord seemed more in control than before. 

“I assume ghosts, portraits were all used in the hunt for the boy?” Voldemort asked. 

“Of course,” Severus nodded. 

“What makes you sure he is still in school?” 

“Potters broom and trunk have gone missing,” Severus answered, he watched as Voldemort was clearly thinking.

“The forest has been searched?” 

“Yes the centaurs and unicorns searched the forest,” Severus nodded. 

“I can see you have an idea on where Potter is hiding,” Voldemort stated. 

“Yes my lord,” Severus paused a moment, it wasn’t he was concerned about his Lord knowing his thoughts. After all the man couldn’t barge his way into the school, it was his reaction to Potter being IN the chambers that Severus was concerned about. “The Chamber of Secrets,” he said. 

Voldemort paused, “it has been found?” he asked. 

Severus nodded, “I don’t know the whole of the events that occurred. Potter and Dumbledore didn’t reveal much of what happened. I don’t even know where the chamber is located. But the creature which I am assuming is a basilisk was released in the school. Potter somehow found the entrance and he went into it. 

The basilisk was supposedly slain by Potter, and he rescued the youngest Weasley in the process. Outside this I have no other information.” 

Voldemort lips pursed tight. “Potter is a pastlemouth?” 

“Yes my lord.” 

Thoughts passed rapidly through Voldemort's mind, but eventually he nodded. “If everywhere else has been searched and the portraits can’t find him he will be in the Chambers. It is where I hid when I didn’t want to be found.” His eyes flickered to Severus, “whilst the boy is in the chambers he is of no concern of mine. He can stay down there as long as he likes. I am the only other one to open the chambers if he stays out of my way as we win this war I do not care.”

Severus hid his relief, he wanted to come to the bottom of what happened to Potter first before he made any complete decisions on the boy. 

“Potter was not the main reason I called for your presence tonight. As you are aware I am not in my usual appearance. Wormtail in his loyalty and incompetence got the potion wrong in my revival. He added far too much of Nagini’s blood. It has unfortunately left me more snake-like in appearance.” Voldemort pushed papers across to Severus “this is the research and the potion that was used. Find me a way to correct my appearance, Severus.” 

“It will be my foremost work my lord,” Severus bowed his head. “I will eventually need samples of your blood and Nagini’s my lord.”

“When needed I will see it supplied. But the work will be done here and nothing will leave here,” Voldemort said firmly. 

“Of course,” Severus bowed his head. “I will need to break the potion down first.” 

Voldemort waved his hand, “no time limit on this Severus. I want it done correctly. But don’t take too long.”

“I will inform you on progress,” Severus nodded. 

“You may leave,” Voldemort dismissed Severus watching as the man stood. “Your arm,” he ordered. 

Severus simply placed the quite large pile of papers and research down, lifted his sleeve. He didn’t flinch as his tattoo burned slightly as Voldemort summoned another follower. 

“Good evening My Lord,” Severus picked up the research and left, once again the elf walking him out. 

Lucius stepped out of the floo as Severus reached it. 

“Severus,” Lucius nodded, “his mood?” 

“Stable,” Severus replied. 

Not wanting to keep his Lord waiting Lucius nodded once more to Severus and kept walking the elf leading the way. 

-

Voldemort stared at Lucius, the man kneeling before him. “I gave you a certain object many years ago. I distinctly recall for you to keep it safe. What has become of this item?”

“Your diary my lord?” Lucius asked. 

“Yes,” Voldemort snapped his tone, showing his clear irritation, “my diary.”

“I have it at my home my lord,” Lucius winced at the anger in his Lord's voice. 

“Go and retrieve it,” Voldemort hissed. He sat and watched as Malfoy scrambled from his office. Voldemort sat back in his chair he had his suspicions, only he could have opened the Chamber and he had slinked away after Potter destroyed his vessel in the first year. So one of his horcrux’s was the only option and out of all his horcrux’s there was only one option. 

-

The diary sat on the top of his desk, a massive gaping hole through the cover. Lucius laid one the ground panting as he recovered from another round of cruiatus.

His fingers curled around his wand, his horcrux had been destroyed. The very first one he had ever made was gone.

On the floor Lucius pushed himself up back into a kneeling position, his hair a mess, robes askew. 

“Why is my diary in such a state?” Voldemort demanded a cold voice. 

“You told me to My Lord, or at least I believed it was you,” Lucius answered. 

Surprise flickered through Voldemort, “explain.” 

“I kept your diary in a hidden compartment in my desk, I knocked ink over and somehow ink got onto it. I was about to clean it when the ink absorbed into the diary. Words appeared as I opened it. It merely said ‘Good evening” 

Voldemort watched as Lucius’s eyes flickered up to him, “go on.”

“I thought it may have been a trap at first. But I wrote back, but it was you My Lord, I realised it was a younger you. I don’t know how but it was you. I assumed it was your essence somehow infused in the diary. You commanded me to give the diary to a young impressionable Hogwarts student.” Lucius grimaced, “I wasn’t intending on the Weasley girl, I had taken Draco to get his school items and the Weasley’s were in the book store so-“ 

“You saw the opportunity for potential revenge against the family,” Voldemort finished. 

“Yes My Lord,” Lucius bowed. 

“Get up and sit,” Voldemort moved behind his desk and sat staring at his diary.  

Sitting Lucius waited as his Lord was very clearly thinking. 

There was truth to what Lucius was saying. It was exactly what he would have done as a younger man, after all his diary horcrux had been only sixteen. Take over an impressionable teenager, take their soul and find himself with a more corporal body as his basilisk killed off the muggleborns in the school. 

There had been very limited information on horcruxes. How to even make them had been a struggle to get concrete evidence. The facts on destruction of horcruxes had been nonexistent. 

“Lucius, the truth,” Voldemort started. 

“Of course my lord,” Lucius uttered quickly. 

“What was I like, my mental state before my demise?” Voldemort asked. 

Lucius froze, that was not what he was expecting. 

“Truth Lucius, I will not curse you for the truth,” Voldemort stated again. 

“Honest My Lord? You forgot our goals. You were more vindictive, more ruthless than ever before. The prophecy seemed to drive you, you committed and ordered of your followers acts you once said we would never do,” Lucius swallowed expecting pain to come at any moment, but there was also hope, hope his old stable Lord was back. 

“Like what Lucius?”

“Murdering of wizarding children for one, none of us cared if we targeted mudbloods, but half-bloods, even pure bloods. You allowed your more unhinged followers to do as they wished, torturing indiscriminately as they pleased. You stopped running the war as a political change, you stopped paperwork, you lost our cause.”

“Who were the destructive ones?” Voldemort asked. 

“Bellatrix Lestrange, she is my sister-in-law, but my lord she is unhinged. You allowed her to run wild and torture as she pleased.” 

“Who else?” 

“Evan rosier was the worst. He is dead now, Moody killed in a duel. But he was a monster, child molester but even as we loyal death eaters brought it to your attention, you didn’t care. In the beginning you wouldn’t have allowed such actions, especially when he started targeting half blood and pure blood children.” 

“You pulled away, Severus along with others also did so,” Voldemort remarked as he remembered. 

“Yes I pulled back from the cause because I didn’t see our future in you any more,” Lucius was very sure he was going to be going home in a lot of pain, if he went home at all. 

Voldemort sat silent pondering, “and now? How do I seem to you?”

“More like your old self, the man I knelt and swore to, it was about ten years later when you started to change even before the prophecy. But the prophecy seemed to drive you past all control.” 

Voldemort nodded slowly that timing lined up for when he made his fifth horcrux, Ravenclaw diadem. His first horcrux was his biggest. Half of his full soul, maybe it had returned to him when he resurrected. His mind felt sharper, clearer. He thought it was because of being in a whole body again, but what if it was more than that, what if half his soul had returned. His lips pursed he would have to ponder this more. Maybe splitting of his soul had impacted his mental capacity more than the studies even suggested. 

“I have a task for you Lucius,” Voldemort said, still pondering. 

“Of course my lord.”

“Your wife, can she access Bellatrix’s vaults?” Voldemort asked. 

“Bellatrix gave Narcissa a key,” Lucius nodded. 

“I need her to collect an item for me,” Voldemort described the cup he was wanting, Lucius nodding, “now go.”

“Yes My Lord,” Lucius stood and bowed, before hurrying for the door. 

“Don’t disappoint me on this Luciussssssss,” Voldemort enjoyed watching the aristocrat pale as he bowed at the door before fleeing, not even waiting for the house elf to show him out. Voldemort chuckled to himself, when he knew Lucius was well out of earshot, it was good to keep a little fear in his followers. 

-

Severus, tired and just wanting a quiet rest of the night, Albus had integrated him long and using questions that were attempts for Severus to fumble and reveal more information, not that Severus fell for them. He actually spent more time being integrated by Albus than he had spent in the Dark Lord's presence, he had to pretend to stifle yawns before the old wizard let him go. 

Severus set the mass of paperwork and research his Lord had given him down on his desk, when he noticed the orb he had for intruders in his classroom was flickering, but just his supply cupboard and not the main classroom door. Severus turned to head back out of his private rooms to his classroom. If the person who had stolen any of his supplies wasn't Potter right then, they were going to wish he expelled them after he had set the intruder their punishment. He just reached his door when his personal floo flared. 

“Severus?” Narcissa called. 

Reversing his step, it was late for Narcissa to be calling, he moved to the green fire, “what happened?”

“Lucius got hit by crucio, I don’t have any of the counter potion, could you come through please,” Narcissa asked. 

“I will be there in a moment,” Severus agreed, putting aside the intruder, Severus grabbed what he needed from his personal supply cupboard, which he always kept well stocked, before flooing to Malfoy Manor. 

-

Lucius was trying to brush off Narcissa, when Severus stepped into the sitting room. Severus took in the disheveled look that Lucius had and handed over a single vial. 

“I was only hit twice,” Lucius muttered but he still took the vial and downed it, the small trembles in his fingers slowed and then stopped. 

“Twice?” Severus asked as he sat down. 

“And for only a few seconds each time,” Lucius stared at Severus hard, “our Lord is back.”

Severus nodded, Lucius had seen what he had, “it seems that he is.”

“What does this mean?” Narcissa asked. 

“It means Narcissa,” Severus answered smoothly, “that our goals are back. The chance to make the wizarding world as it should be is back in motion. It is just time, time to make sure our Lord is indeed stable and sane and stays that way. But if he does, we have our chance again.” 

“Let us hope,” Narcissa smiled at her husband. 

“It is late,” Severus stood, “and I have a thief I have to deal with, someone has raided my potions supply cupboard.” 

Lucius snorted, “the fools.”

Severus smirked as he stepped out, Narcissa and Lucius joking together about what punishment Severus was going to be setting on the student stupid enough to attempt theft of Snape. 

-

The supply cupboard had indeed been raided, one basket was missing along with ingredients that Severus was working out, when his eyes settled on a scrunched up ball of parchment on the ground right beside the grate. 

Picking it up, Severus' lips pursed as he recognised Potter’s scrawl. His eyes flickered over the list written and the corresponding spots in the supply cupboard, everything on the list was gone.  

It wasn’t the missing ingredients that highly intrigued Severus, it was how Potter even got into his supply cupboard without setting off the front door alarms. The elf couldn’t have done it either, he had warded the cupboard so they couldn’t just pop in and out. His eyes fell back to the grate, and bent down. He pulled it off and to the side, the hole was far too small for an adult, or at least an adult his size to fit through it, but a teenager? Especially one as scrawny as Potter, it would be tight but it was doable. Placing the grid back into place, Severus pondered, Potter was using the inner pipes and old servant passageways that had been almost forgotten to time. It was how he was getting around without being seen, even by the portraits. 

Nothing else Severus could do, he set in place a monitoring charm, for when Potter came back, and it was a WHEN and not IF, the boy was useless at potions, he would ruin whatever it was he was trying to brew and be back for more ingredients. The monitoring charm would film everything the teenager did and then he could study it and learn more about Potter’s state. 

Pondering the ingredients and what had been stolen, Severus sighed, Advanced infection control, the paste he had stolen from Poppy obviously wasn’t doing it’s job. It seemed the late night was just going to get even later, there was no way Potter had the skill to brew that particular potion. 

Locking his classroom up, Severus trudged back to his personal rooms, pulled out a small cauldron, ingredients and began to brew; it wasn’t like he needed sleep, he thought. All he hoped was that Potter got sludge at best, worse he could blow his cauldron up. 

The brat would be back to steal more ingredients, the Advanced Infection Paste would be sitting waiting for the brat. One it stopped the teen from stealing and wasting his ingredients and maybe, just maybe it could open a chance to communicate to Potter. 

-

Okay another chapter done. 

So what did you think? It will be between a fortnight and monthly updates. I am also working on the chapter fixes for my massive fic Pets and that is taking a bit of time as well. 

I also changed my Summary of the fic. I'm hoping that it is more enticing to people to give the fic a go. 

Chapter Text

Harry stared at the grey sludge, it was not the white paste that he had been hoping for. Snatching up the potion book he reread it, mentally ticking everything off. He had done everything correct, frustrated he threw the book away from him. He stood scowling at the grey sludge, before snarling and banishing the potion and sending the cauldron flying to crash into the large wooden sink in the corner. “Useless,” he hissed at himself, twice he had tried and twice he had failed. 

He knew he was pouting and acting like a child at that moment, but he had to go and get more ingredients, likely to only fail again and it was frustrating. But his side was getting worse, the pain was starting to spread across his ribs, his skin hot and inflamed, an almost steady amount of puss dribbled from the wound if he pressed against it. 

Maybe he needed to go and see Madam Pomfrey for help. The thought struck fear into Harry, he shook his head, no he couldn’t. She would ask questions, questions he couldn’t answer. Then she wouldn’t let him leave, Dumbledore would make him go back to school. People would find out, they always found out, his breathing picked up. Dumbledore said he could handle it, he couldn’t, he couldn’t go back there. 

Harry broke tears streamed down his face as fear and the feeling of hopelessness filled him as he crashed to his knees, crying heaving. A soft pop and Dobby was beside him, patting his back, “it’s okay Master Harry, we will get’s you more ingredients, you do better next time.” 

Harry let out a wet laugh as he wrapped his arms around Dobby, who squeaked in surprise that he was being hugged. “Thank you Doby, thank you,” it wasn’t the elf’s words as he wasn’t crying over his failed potion. But just his attempt at comfort, something he very rarely had even been shown. He accepted the hanky that Dobby popped into his hand and let the elf go, before wiping his face down. 

Seeing Harry was better, Dobby clicked his fingers and the sink filled with water and the two cauldrons began to get scrubbed by magiced brushes. 

Getting back onto his feet Harry stared at the potions lab, he could do this. He would have to wait for night to go and get more ingredients, but he could do this, he didn’t need anyone else’s help. 

-

Final class of the day over, Severus cleaned up the last of the mess the students had made, before moving to his desk. 

Pulling out the pot, a salve and a letter, Severus moved to the supply cupboard, placing both on the floor in the middle of the room. He also applied a monitoring charm one that both notified him of movement and would record whatever movement set the charm off. 

Hopeful Potter would be back that night, if not he would remove the paste and letter in the morning before classes and would keep replacing each night, until such time the brat took the pot. As there was no way conceivable that Potter would actually be able to make the advanced potion. 

Severus shut the door to his cupboard, locked it as always and left the classroom. 

-

Harry waited until midnight, he was studying his map, but Snape had not moved from his spot for several hours, Harry assumed it was the man’s bed and he was asleep. Tucking his map away he pushed open the grate and froze. On the floor was a potions pot and a letter with Mr Potter, please read, written on the front of it. 

Immediately Harry was suspicious, he pulled his wand and frowned, reaching out he poked the letter with his wand, all that happened was it fell over. 

Careful he eased himself through the opening and stared at the letter, clearly Snape realised someone had raided his stores and deduced that it was him. Careful to not touch the pot or letter Harry leaned over and saw Snapes writing, “Advanced Infection Control” written on the top. 

Scowling Harry wondered how the man knew what he was trying to make, surely the ingredients weren’t that restricted to just one potion. 

Frowning Harry realised he had spent far too long in the cupboard already, he really needed the paste and either way he got caught here, or inevitably he would end up having to go to Pomfrey if he didn’t get the Infection control. Taking a chance Harry snatched up the letter and the pot, nothing happened, no alarms, no sticking spell, nothing. Harry slipped back through the hole, pulled the grate back into its place. Checking the map, Harry saw that Snape hadn’t even moved, relieved he took off, deeper into the pipes and corridors he was becoming to know quite well.  

Of course he wasn’t quite stupid enough to go straight to his home, there could be a tracking spell, so he went deep into the tunnels but nowhere near his home, even if he was tracked someone would get lost rapidly in the pipes. 

Sitting down Harry popped the letter open. 

Mr Potter, 

You are probably wondering how I knew what you needed, I am not imbecile Mr Potter, you selectively stole Infection control from the Hospital Wing and you stole ingredients from my stores which make an Advanced Infection Control. Which you very clearly have failed to make as I expected of you, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this letter currently. 

Harry couldn’t help himself but grin, he could almost hear Snape’s voice oozing with contempt. If this letter hadn’t been an insult and the man was nice, Harry would have dropped it right there and then and not gone back as the man clearly was onto him, not to mention Snape nice? That would be just too weird, it was weird already that he was helping him. 

I can reassure you Mr Potter, I have not placed any kind of spell work on this letter or the salve. 

Of course you will be wondering why this generosity. 

Harry nodded, not realising he was as he read. 

I am aware that I have not been over benevolent towards you, but something has clearly occurred for you to feel the need to hide Mr Potter. 

As I stated above, it is clear you are in need of medical assistance, from your raids. I am a Professor of Hogwarts and an adult, one of many adults that you should have felt safe enough to approach and ask for help. Clearly all the faculty of this school, including myself have failed you on, I can only offer my sincere apologies for adding to this lack of trust. 

Harry frowned, Snape apologising to him? He shook his head and kept on reading. 

I would understand that you are now suspicious of my actions, but Mr Potter you have stolen potions and ingredients for healing, along with other potions I believe you got by accident, I do not suggest you use them as they will not assist you. 

Harry flushed as he thought of the cramping relief. 

I am offering my assistance, in as little or as much as you will accept. If you are in need of any more medical help please inform me. I will brew or obtain what it is that you are needing, I will leave them in the supply cupboard for you to collect. I can reassure you I will not place any kind of spell on these requested items. All I ask if you stop stealing ingredients from my stores, we both know you are useless. 

Professor Snape

Harry sat pondering the letter, there were enough insults that it seemed like something Snape would write and it was in the man’s writing. But the man had apologised for failing him? Harry didn’t know how to take that, an adult apologising and not just any adult Snape, the very man that had tormented him from the moment he set foot in Hogwarts. But, his eyes went to the pot, he had made the potion for him, even if it was just a way to stop Harry from stealing more ingredients. Picking up the pot, Harry turned it, reading the instructions that had been written on the side of the container. 

Taking a chance, and if it was broken Harry would never leave the chambers again, he would lock himself away from the world completely. But a small sliver of hope still blossomed in Harry, the one adult who actually never lied to him was Snape. He picked up the letter and moved deeper, heading to his home, using paseltongue to open the hidden doorways that led into the chamber.  

-

Sitting on the soft carpet, the fire crackling away warming the room, Harry winced as he peeled away the last layer of bandages that was stuck to the very red and yellow crusted wound. One last pull and the crust broke, puss seeped down his side. Hoping that the paste was real and Snape wasn’t trying to pull one over on him, Harry unscrewed the lid. According to the instructions, if the wound was bad, and let’s be honest it was, it could take three applications to heal. 

He scooped out some cream and very gently worked it around the oozing wound, immediately the heat began to leave the cut, the inflamed feeling began to settle, the pain began to lessen. As advised Harry slathered more cream over the wound and spelled clean bandages in place. 

Screwing the lid back into place, Harry sighed as he looked over his naked upper body. He was still very thin, ribs clearly on show, whilst he had put some weight on it wasn’t a lot. He knew that meant he likely needed more than food, but he couldn’t ask for that, he wasn’t really even sure what to ask for. 

Then there was the - Harry flinched, it still hurt to use the toilet - well chamber root - to poop, he had very clearly taken damage to his lower body, at least he no longer bled down there. Heat flushed Harry’s face at the thought of asking help for that particular problem, there was no way in hell he would ask Snape for help there. 

You are clearly in need of medical help. Snape’s elegant script had written.

Harry frowned as his eyes flickered to the letter he had placed on the small table, before going back to body, he had bruises, among other injuries, some had faded to just green and browns, but he had a few that were still very tender, and lumps under them. 

Did he take the chance, did he ask for help? An adult was offering him help, and at this stage no demands back. His eyes flickered to his side wrapped in bandages, he could feel the difference, the paste was cooling his side fast, the pain was dulling and the burning sensation was fading. That was real, it was what he needed, another application and the infection would be gone and hopefully the last of his Dittany would remove the worst of the skin damage and would scar too badly. Though, his eyes wandered over the scars he did have and wondered why he was vain enough to care. But Harry knew why, if it didn’t scar it was one less thing from THEM on his body. 

Sitting up Harry pulled the letter over to himself and he sat there, reading and rereading Snape’s letter, especially the part where he apologised then over the offering of help. 

It took time, thought after thought running through his head, but Harry pulled over some blank parchment from where he was working on a map for the tunnel system earlier. 

Dipping his quill into the ink Harry paused, his hand hovering over the parchment, what did he even write? He hovered so long that a blob of ink dropped onto the page splattering. Scowing Harry wiped at it, smearing the ink worse, “damn it,” he cursed. 

Professor Snape,

Thank you for the potion it has helped. 

Harry paused again, and another blob splattered the page smaller but still a mess. Scowling Harry looked back at the letter from Snape. 

I am safe. 

“Dammit why was it so hard to write this?” Harry grumbled to himself. 

If you meant it, I could do with some bruise balm, please.

Harry wrinkled his nose up, damn this was so bad. But he wasn’t sure what else to write, so he merely signed his name off at the bottom. 

Harry

Looking over the ink stained note, Harry wondered if he should rewrite it, but he quickly folded it, before he chickened out. “Dobby,” he called. 

“Yes Master Harry,” Dobby said, popping in. 

“Could you take this to the potion supply cupboard,” Harry handed the letter over. 

“Can’ts the cupboard be locked to us elves, but I can put it on the classroom desk,” Dobby offered instead. 

“Yes that will do,” Harry nodded and Dobby popped out. 

-

An annoying buzzing woke Severus, it was his supply cupboard alarm going off. Summoning the time, Severus grumbled to himself as he saw it was just gone midnight, could the brat at least come at more respectable hours? Sitting up Severus waited until the movement detection silenced and he gave Potter enough time to get away without thinking he was being watched or monitored. Getting up he pulled on his thick bathrobe, black of course and left his rooms heading for his classroom. 

The supply cupboard was still locked as expected and a quick look said indeed the pot and letter was gone. Collecting his monitoring spell, which a small orb had recorded the brat, he set another before heading back to his rooms. Pondering going back to sleep and watching Potter crawl out of the hole in the floor in the morning, but of course curiosity and the need for information had Severus settling in his couch and watching the replay. 

-

Severus scrubbed at his face as he watched the third rerun of the charm. Potter was in far worse condition than he could ever have imagined. The teenager was thin, far too thin, his arms bony, barely any muscles on them, face gaunt, his eyes dark circles around them. And that was all that he could see on the teen, his clothes fitted, but baggy on his far too thin frame. 

Potter had been at the castle for weeks now, three meals a day on offer, and apart from weekends he was sure he had seen the teen eating. What kind of condition had he been in when he first got to the school? Severus wondered, this wasn’t something that any of the teachers or other students would have not seen. Potter had been maintaining a glamour the entire time he was at school. 

He remembered Poppy’s words, how she was surprised Potter had gone to her for his broken hand, why? Why didn’t Potter ask for more help? But Severus knew that answer, fear. Someone had put fear into Potter, it wasn’t the first student he had seen that whoever was abusing them said they couldn’t tell or else something would happen. 

Severus’s long fingers curled into fists, Potter had been starved, physically assaulted, from the bruises that were on the teens arms and from the way he moved he was in pain. He needed to pay Potter’s family a visit and find out exactly what had happened and who had done this, no child deserved this kind of abuse. 

Pausing the charm as it relooped to the beginning, Severus grabbed parchment and a self inking quill and began to make a list of medically what Potter needed. 

He started with the obvious, Bruise Balm. He let the charm run again and this time his keen eyes took in signs of pain, discomfort, anything that gave away any other potential injuries. By the time he finished Severus had an extensive list on his page, most were to do with the clear starvation, but without blood work done, they were just guesses. He had the basics of medical training with his Mastery, but this was something far beyond his minimal knowledge.

The alarm to his classroom went off, Severus frowned and stood, this wasn’t Potter, couldn’t be. Quickly he moved to his classroom ready to scold the person stupid enough to be in there, but once again, nothing, the only difference was a letter on his table. Snatching it up, he recognised Potter’s scrawl under the blobs of ink. The teens writing was as abysmal as ever, wondering why a letter was placed on his desk and not in the supply cupboard, Severus frowned and he realised it was likely the house elf helping Potter. 

Muttering to himself about, of course he didn’t need sleep, even though Severus knew there was no way he was going to get back to rest after seeing Potter like he was, he read the few lines. A simple thanks, a note Potter was safe and a request for bruise balm. 

There were undoubtedly more injuries on the teenager, more pressing needs, but this was a start, a test. Any teenager could be in need of bruise balm, but this was to see if he helped. 

Classroom relocked and a monitoring charm placed in there as well, Severus began to ponder the bruise balm, that he had readily in supply, Merlin knows how clumsy students were, but Potter needed advanced infection control, it was only likely he needed the heavier bruise balm as well. 

Rubbing his temples Severus slumped onto his couch, between his Lord’s potion and Potter, he had better get used to long nights and minimal sleep. Thankfully he knew he had several pots of strong bruise balm made in the hospital ward, he needed to go to Poppy tomorrow - well later that day as it was nearly one am, and see what she thought Potter needed. 

-

Harry watched as the skin around the now clean and infection free wound bubbled and sealed over. Poking the area carefully Harry grinned, his side was finally healed. Happy he got up and banished the bandages and empty vial, he moved carefully, he was still quite tender, but it felt so good to no longer have his ribs wrapped in bandages. 

Humming to himself Harry moved to the library, he had been actually looking through it properly and found an area on wandless and non verbal magic, it had struck his interest and he wanted to learn more. Of course one of the reasons was his own defense, he refused to ever be at someone else’s mercy if he didn’t have or couldn’t use his wand. 

-

“Poppy?” Severus knocked on the woman’s office door, it was after dinner and the first time he had a chance to approach the woman. Two pots of bruise balm already sat in his supply cupboard along with a new letter to Potter. 

“Severus?” Poppy looked up from her files, “it says here you took a pot of Bruise Balm and the Advanced Bruise Balm. Are you okay?”

“I am in peak health, the salves were not for me, I was just merely marked down that I had taken them,” Severus sat down. 

“Who are they for? Severus if a student is hurt they should come to me, you know I don’t mind you taking from my stalls but advanced bruise balm? That needs medical attention,” Poppy said firmly, “not you taking from my stalls in the lunch period.”

Severus waited for the older witch to finish, “I indeed took them for a student and if you let me I will show you why.”

Poppy eyed Severus hard, before frowning when he pulled a monitoring orb. 

Letting Poppy take the orb, Severus silenced the office room as strong as he could, even cast a disillusionment charm, so no one could see in, but he had deliberately left the door open and sat where he could see the front door if anyone came in. 

Poppy let out a soft gasp the first time she saw Potter, but then the medical side took over, her eyes studying the teen watching his stiff movements, the way the clothes hung from his body. “Severus, he needs very serious help.” 

“That I am aware of Poppy,” Severus said as he took the orb back and pocketed it. “Not a word to anyone,” he said firmly, “otherwise we may never get Potter out of his hiding spot.”

“He is coming to your supply cupboard, spell it so he is locked in, he needs to go to St Mungo’s,” Poppy insisted.

“Do that and that young man will lose the small amount of trust he has left in anyone,” Severus stated. “Mr Potter was clearly starved and physically assaulted over the summer break. He has very limited trust in adults and even his own age right now, otherwise he would have said something to Weasley or Granger.”

“But Severus -”

“Poppy,” Severus cut over the woman, “I am in the starting process of communication with that young man, I have come to you needing your medical knowledge in how to give Mr Potter the help he needs,” Severus held out his list of potions and salves he thought the teenager needed. “If you are incapable of this, I shall ask that I remove this conversation from your memory and I will continue helping Mr Potter the best that I can, without your assistance.”

Poppy gave Severus a look as she took the list. Severus watched as Poppy shook her head at a few things, grabbing a quill and she crossed some items out and rewrote a different item next to them. “I want to be kept informed on Mr Potter anything you learn at all.” 

“Of course,” Severus nodded. 

“The bruise balms are for Mr Potter” Poppy stated. 

Severus nodded once again. 

“I take it Mr Potter stole from your stores as well?” Poppy handed the list back over. 

“He did, he stole ingredients for Advanced Infection Control, clearly he failed on brewing it as I knew he would, therefore I brewed him a pot. Along with a letter I placed it in my store room knowing he would be back. I offered my services free of charge and an apology,” Severus couldn’t help amusement at the look Poppy sent him. “I received a reply back asking for Bruise Balm, it is both clearly needed and a test. I have written another letter, we have to take this slow Poppy, anything from my end now and Potter will never come out. I have to gain Mr Potter’s trust and this kind of trust is gained very slowly.”

Taking a deep breath Poppy nodded, “very well. What do you need from me?”

Relief passed momentarily through Severus, he needed Poppy on his side with this, “silence for now, just you and me. Not even Minerva for now, not until I start gaining more trust with Mr Potter, the more people know, the quicker this could blow up in our faces.” Severus sagged for a moment, staring at the list. “I should have seen this.” 

“Severus, don’t do that to yourself,” Poppy said softly. 

“No Poppy, I always look out for abuse signs in my snakes. I should have seen it, instead I let my hatred of his father, blind myself to the obvious signs. Potter has always been too scrawny for his age. The immediate lack of respect for teachers. That stupid impulse he has to go running headlong into danger even from eleven when he has a school full of Professors to ask for help. I say he has been abused to some extent for many years and I was too stubborn to see it,” Severus sighed.  

“Severus -” Poppy said softly. 

Clearing his throat Severus sat up, “there is no point reminiscing over my failures. We have a teenager that needs serious help and has locked himself away in a place no one can get to him. I will do what I can to gain his trust and get him the assistance he needs.”

Poppy nodded, “I will give you what you need, Severus.” 

“Thank you, goodnight Poppy,” Severus stood, nodded to the witch and left, thinking once again he needed to be paying Potter’s family a visit, it was the weekend in a few days, he would find out exactly who had harmed a wizarding child.

-

Once again Harry found himself sitting in a side pipeline, reading a letter from Snape, two pots in his lap along with a bundle of parchment tied up beside him on the floor.  

Mr Potter, 

As you have noticed there are two pots of bruise balm, I have taken initiative in thinking that it is likely you are in need of both, especially if you needed Advanced Infection Control. The area infection should be cleared up by now, if it hasn’t please inform me Mr Potter, it could be a very serious infection if it hasn’t. 

Now, 

Standard Bruise Balm, a small dollop on fingers, rub into healing or lesser bruises, this will take around an hour to heal. 

Advanced Bruise Balm, this is for bruises that are black, dark purple, ones that have lumps under them, or bruises that are very tender to the touch. Apply small amounts slowly, if the bruise is very deep, it will take several applications to heal the entire area. The first will break down the blood that has collected under the skin, the second will remove any colouring that is left. If a third application is needed, it could show that there is potentially deeper damage like a broken or cracked bone. 

I do believe these instructions are simple enough Mr Potter. And once again I extended my offer of help. Though I would appreciate a more precise and clean request than the last attempt. The blobs of ink made for poor reading, even if the note was simple. You will have noticed the parchment and hopefully taken it, rewrite it next time Mr Potter and you cannot use the excuse of not enough parchment. 

And thank you, for the trust it took to request the bruise balm, I do mean it Mr Potter I am here to give you aid, however you would like it, thank you. 

Professor Snape. 

Harry reread the letter again, he didn’t know why, but felt kind of nice to be getting the letters from the man. Getting up, he moved deeper down, parchment and pots in his hands, heading to his home. 

-

The acid taste of vomit filled Harry’s mouth as he sat crying softly, Dobby cleaning away his mess. He had been fine, as he worked the bruise balms into the different bruises he had over torso and arms. But when he removed his pants and began to rub the cream into the finger prints that still bruised his hips, well he had lost his dinner. 

A glass of water was shoved into his hands and Harry swished his mouth, still quietly crying as he nodded to Dobby, “thank you,” he said weakly as he picked up the pot again with shaking hands, his eyes gaining a vacant glaze as he kept rubbing cream into the bruises, doing everything he could to not think about what had put them there. Done, Harry asked Dobby to bring his thick winter pjs, pulling the brand new clothes he curled up on the floor in front of the fire, still shivering, not from cold but memories, shades of hands that even though they weren’t there still seemed to haunt him. 

-

-

Severus read the simple, but clean note that had taken three days for Potter to write back to him. 

All the bruises are gone,

Thank you 

Along with the note was a box full of potions that Potter had stolen from the hospital, a ‘SORRY’ scrawled on a scrap of parchment. He would give the box and note to Poppy later.

It was Saturday morning and it was still quite early, but Severus knew Lucius and Narcissa would be up, after all he wanted to hide the fact he was going to be visiting Potter’s relatives that very morning, and as far as anyone else would know, including Dumbledore and even the Dark Lord he had simply enjoyed a morning breakfast at his friends home. 

Stepping to his floo, Severus called for Malfoy Manor and disappeared with a flash. 

-

OKAY so next chapter. Severus confronts the Dursleys, that will go delightfully well. 😈

As always thank you for reading drop a kudos if you haven't already. And if feeling generous a comment. 

Thank you

Chapter Text

Please read. A bit of a warning for this chapter, mentions and brief images as memories of what Durselys did to Harry, not explicitly descriptive, but abuse, physical, emotional and sexual. 

Stepping out of the floo, Severus brushed off the ash that clung to the bottom of his robes. 

“Master Snape,” the Malfoy’s house elf popped in, “the Lord and Lady are at their breakfast, they have asked you to join.”

“Naturally,” Severus swept past the cowering creature and headed for the informal dining room.

“Severus,” Narcissa stood, “you’re nice and early this morning, take a seat.” 

“Thank you Narcissa, Lucius, sorry for my rather early drop in,” Severus sat and took the tea Narcissa poured for him. 

“And what brings you to join us this morning?” Lucius asked. 

“I am just passing through, I need to have an alibi this morning,” Severus sipped at his tea, much nicer than the plain teas that Hogwarts supplied, but then the Malfoys always did have refined tastes. 

“You know you have one, Narcissa and I shall stay home this morning,” Lucius simply stated, “are you in need of assistance?”

Severus paused, pondering a moment, “no this I shall be able to handle on my own, it is just muggles, I need information.”

“Then you had joined us for a delightful breakfast, we spoke of Draco and how he is going at school,” Lucius nodded. 

“Why don’t you join us for breakfast?” Narcissa asked.

Severus eyed the french toast in the middle of the table, “thank you Narcissa, I believe I will.” He helped himself to the french toast and they spoke of Draco and the school. 

“Are the papers true? Draco has written as well saying Mr Potter has gone missing?” Narcissa asked. 

“It is true, Mr Potter has gone missing,” Severus didn’t elaborate more. 

“He likely got scared and realised what he is actually up against and ran away,” Lucius snorted, “good riddance, I will quite gladly never see that boy again.” 

Severus merely sipped his tea, saying nothing, “I should be going,” he stood, “thank you Narcissa, Lucius for breakfast, I will be returning after my business is concluded.” 

-

The muggle streets of Little Whinging were quiet and as Severus moved to Privet Drive, the blood wards made it he couldn’t apperate straight to Potter’s house. So he walked in, disguised under a notice-me-not charm, so that the few muggles that were out walking their dogs didn’t see him. 

Privet Drive was especially quiet, just noise of televisions blaring from each house as Severus marched to number four. Unlocking the door, Severus slipped into the house, not wanting Potter’s family to know he was there until he had done an inspection of the home first. 

Silent he slipped down the hall, stopping beside an archway and looked in. Petunia was still rake thin with her pinched look, standing in the kitchen cooking more food as a ridiculously fat man and teen whp sat stuffing their faces at the table. 

The teen, whom Severus assumed was Potter's cousin, couldn’t even tear his eyes away from the television that was blaring very loudly. Disgust filled Severus as he watched the pair shovel even more food into their fat mouths, eating more like pigs than decent human beings. 

Utterly revolted Severus slipped upstairs. The television hid any sounds he might have made but he was sure to stick close to the wall where there was less movement and therefore less noise to be made on stairs. 

Photos covered the walls and Sevrus studied each one, the parents and the fag boy all smiling as the cousin went from a child to the bulbous lump that was downstairs. One thing in each photo was the lack of a small black haired boy. Harry wasn’t in a single photo.

The first door in the corridor opened to an absolute filthy pigsty. Filled to the brim of toys, games and a pile of clothes in the corner. A large bed took up a corner, very clearly the cousin’s room, his room was as clean as his eating style. 

Sneering Severus shut the door and moved down the hall, to pause his eyebrow arching, the door had five locks and catches on the outside, his eyes tracked down the locks to see a cat flap at the base. 

Now he was very certain there was something very wrong in this house, he opened the door and the stark difference between Potter's room and his cousins was blatant. 

There was almost nothing in here, a few discarded broken toys, which should be played with by a very young child not a teenager, were pushed into a corner. 

Where the fat teenager had a large bed, plush mattress and pillows. The mattress in this room was old, worn, sheets were torn and clearly unwashed from the smell. 

But it was the stains on the mattress, Severus flicked his wand and the sheets moved to a ball on the end of the bed, brown stains covered the mattress, it was dirt either. Severus knew that colour well, dried blood, it had clearly been scrubbed at, but nothing could get that kind of stain out. His eyes scanned the room again, spotting another stain of brown on the carpet in the corner, likely where Potter curled up against the wall. 

There was pain in this room, quietly Severus placed a silencing spell on the room and uttered another spell and he stood back. The mattress glowed blue from the stains, along with the patch in the corner, but more spots of blood shone in the old musty carpet. Potter had bled all over this room, Severus cancelled the spell.

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE!” came an almighty roar from behind him. 

Severus turned and stared at the walrus of a man, his moustache bristled as beady eyes glared at him. “I am a Professor at your nephew's school.” 

“What has that little freak been telling you?” Vernon spat, “lies, all he says is lies.”

Arching his eyebrow, “I didn’t say Potter had said anything.”

Vernon spluttered a moment, when he paled, a wand pointing at him, “wait, wait, you can’t use magic on me.”

“Yes I can,” Severus tore into the muggle's mind. 

Memories came jumbled, the muggle’s mind a chaotic mess, but he soon found what he wanted. 

A quick glance around and Severus knew they were at King’s Cross, the muggle was dropping Potter off for the train. 

Harry bounced off the concrete as his battered trunk hit the ground beside him. 

“Now remember what you tell those freaky friends of yours,” Vernon snarled as he leaned over spit hitting Harry’s cheek. 

“I fell over Uncle, I got in with the wrong group of boys and got beaten, my aunt and uncle were very disappointed in me,” Harry said softly. 

“That’s right,” Vernon stood, he quickly glanced around but the few people at the far end of the station were not looking, before placing his foot on Harry’s hand. 

Severus watched as Potter grimaced, even as the clear audible sound on breaking bones happened under the fat man’s foot. 

“Remember your place toy, remember you are nothing but a FREAK.”

Severus pulled out of the memory, Vernon lay on the ground sweating and shaking. Potter had been even thinner than what he saw on his monitoring orb, “you starved him,” Severus snarled, “you fat bastard, worried he was going to take crumbs off your plate?” 

“He needed to learn his place,” Vernon growled back, trying to get to his feet. 

“So do you,” Severus slammed his way back into the man’s mind, this time making sure it hurt as he burrowed into memories. 

“Get out of the way, you useless thing,” Vernon backhanded Potter, as he passed him on the stairs, the teens breathing laboured as he carried a massive load of washing up the stairs. 

Severus watched as Potter stumbled and tumbled down the stairs laying at the bottom groaning as he pushed himself up, staring at the freshly washed clothes. 

Severus pushed into another memory and then another.

SLAP!

SHOVE!

FREAK!

WORTHLESS!

NOTHING BUT A BURDEN!

Severus watched, eyes usually so bright with defiance, lowered with pain and fear as Potter merely whispered, “yes uncle, sorry uncle, I won’t do it again uncle.” 

Shifting deeper, he could feel it, the muggle was trying to hide memories, he pulled them forward, amused by even the tiny amount of resistance that was given by the muggle. Sheer pleasure of control and domination oozed off the memories, he shoved into the first one. 

It was late, absolutely no sound from outside as Vernon slipped from his bed, where Petunia lay sleeping. 

Severus followed the fat muggle from the bedroom and to the door with all the locks.

“No please,” Potter’s voice called the moment the door opened, “no please uncle not again, no.”

“Stop your blubbering and turn over,” Vernon sneered. 

“No,” Potter sobbed. 

Severus watched as the muggle shoved Potter onto his stomach, hand pulling down Potter’s oversized pants, before removing his own penis, shoved Potter’s face into the mattress and began to rape the teenager. 

Potter’s screams were muffled, but he didn’t try and fight, after a moment the screams slowed to harsh sobs as the muggle continued to rape the teen. Severus wanted to stop watching, wanted to leave the memory and turn the muggle in a quivering pile of lard, but he kept watching. 

“The only thing you're useful for,” Vernon stood tucking himself away after using the corner of the sheets to wipe away the blood on his penis before leaving. 

The last of the memory was Potter laying legs still spread, bleeding, but it was his eyes, dull, broken and unseeing that haunted Severus the most. 

Feeling sick, Severus tore into the next memory, he watched weeks of rapes, weeks of torment, even the cousin had joined in on ‘the fun.’ Potter pinned between the two fat muggles as they raped him together, forcing Potter to perform oral sex, forcing Potter to touch and jack them off. Then he found it the first rape, Harry had begged, pleaded, tried to fight off the fat man, screaming for help. 

“NOOOO, AUNT PETUNIA, AUNT PETUN—” Harry broke off his scream for help, his eyes wide as his cheek stung, his uncle just backhanded him hard. 

“This is all you are worth FREAK,” Vernon grabbed Harry and tossed him onto the bed, legs folded over the side. 

“No, stop,” Harry tried to struggle, but a blow hit his back and air rushed from his lungs, as he sat breathing hard. 

Severus listened to Potter’s screams, as he was raped the first time, face once again shoved into the mattress to cover the screams. Movement at the door caught his eyes. Petunia just stood there for a moment watching, before continuing on downstairs. 

Anger barely held on by a hair, Severus plunged into the last of the memories. 

“HEDWIG!!!!” Potter cried out. 

Severus stood watching as Potter sobbed cradling the mutilated body of his familiar.

He had seen enough for right then, Severus slowly drew back out of the muggle's mind, not for the ease of the man’s mind, but because Severus was processing the hell the teen had gone through that summer. Was there more? He wondered, when did the abuse start? 

Vernon was sobbing on the floor, hands clutching at his temples, Severus knew the man had to be sporting a massive migraine, “you do not know what pain is,” Severus hissed, “not yet.” He bound the man with ropes, and levitated the lump. 

Rutherford had called Potter a freak before he lost control and urinated. It made sense now, the bastards had called Harry a freak every time they raped him. Hogwarts was supposed to be safe and the abuse followed, yes in childish words and bullying, but that word - freak - that was hell for Potter, no wonder he had hid himself away. 

Glad he had placed a silencing spell on the room, keeping the noise the fat muggle made to nothing. 

Wand out and not caring that the wobbling lump of lard’s head smacked into the top banister of the stair case, Severus stormed into the dining room. Ropes wrapped around the son, binding him tightly, before the memories Severus would have let a child go, but this brat had enjoyed raping Potter as much as his father had. 

“DUDLEY! VERNON!” Petunia shrieked, her eyes going to Severus, “YOU, YOU’RE KIND IS NOT WELCOME HERE.”

“I knew you hated magic, I knew you were jealous of your sister, but THIS Petunia, how dare you do that to your sister’s child, your nephew,” Severus hissed. 

“We didn’t want him,” Petunia spat, “we were never asked, that FREAK was just dumped on our doorstep, we wanted nothing to do with your kind.” 

Livid Severus bound Petunia up and silenced her annoying shrieks. 

The need to hurt the three of them was strong and Severus' fingers clenched tight around his wand as he closed his eyes and breathed slowly. He needed to do this next part right, otherwise he would have Dumbledore suspicious of him. 

He couldn’t kill the muggles right then, he needed to know more, know when it all started. He cast a patronus and sent it to Lucius, he needed help after all, asking him to bring a few specific objects. 

Ignoring the floating muggles, Severus stepped out of the dining area and breathed deeply and slowly, calming his sheer rage, until he was thinking rationally again. “Potter’s things,” he said, wand flat on his hand, using a point-me. The wand led him to a small cupboard under the stairs. He expected to find a few items tossed into the cupboard, but instead it was a bedroom. A small nest of old material took up most of the area, a small picture clearly drawn by a child, had two adults holding a young boy’s hands, they were all smiling. Beside it was another drawing, “Harry’s Room,” written in bright colours, not freak  was in the corner like a reminder. Severus bowed his head, this was going much, much longer than he realised. Dumbledore had said he visited the boy every year. That Potter was thriving and was happy, taken care of. The old man had lied and once again it only deepened his dislike of the old wizard and affirmed that the light side wasn’t as light as it tried to make out. 

Severus took down the two drawings and packed away the few other items in the cupboard, before standing up. There was nothing else left in this house of importance.

-

The door opened and Severus was up, wand ready, when he saw Lucius. 

“I am here as you requested,” Lucius stood waiting. 

“I will explain it all properly back at the manor later, did you bring what I asked?” Severus queried. 

“Three golems,” Lucius held out his hand. 

Severus snatched the small clay figures, they were dark magic, but very useful, when needed to hide a kidnapping. 

Lucius watched as Severus placed a golem on the three muggles, all bound tightly. “Here I will get this one,” he pulled his wand from his cane and moved to the thin woman. 

Both men chanted, activating the golems, and the muggles began to scream, the teen trying to fight his bonds wiggled as his parents screamed. 

The golems warped and changed, growing larger and larger, of course even larger still for the fat muggle, until the exact carbon image copy of the muggles lay on the floor, under the parents. 

“Full service?” Lucius asked Severus.

“Hair, teeth, clothes,” Severus marched to the teenager. 

-

“Done,” Lucius stood back, three muggles lay naked and still bound, “why did I need to strip them again?” he asked, “I couldn’t have just used other clothes?”

“I want their essence on the golems,” Severus answered as he fiddled around in the kitchen, turning knobs, and a strange smell started to fill the room. 

Marching back, Severus floated the golems that wore the hair of the muggles, the three of them bald, and several teeth, blood staining the gags in the Dursley family's mouths. 

“Take them to the dungeons, separate cells, please Lucius, I am going to burn this place, all they will find are their charred remains,” Severus requested. 

Lucius merely nodded, sneered at the muggles, “elf!” he snapped. 

“Master called?” the elf popped in. 

“Take these to the dungeons,” Lucius waved over the sobbing muggles. 

“Yes master,” the elf popped out with the Dursleys. 

Severus spelled the golems into place, Vernon at the dining table, Dudley on the couch and Petunia in the kitchen. “Out Lucius, it is about to get very hot in here,” Severus followed the tapping cane as they made their way out of the house, Severus locking the door behind him as they strode down the street, under notice- me-nots of course. At the end of the street, Severus turned back and pointed his wand, a small spark shot from the end, flying straight to number four. A massive explosion of heat and sound, destroyed the quiet serenity of that Saturday morning.  

“Let’s go,” Lucius said, turning and disappearing with a pop, at the destruction of the house the blood wards fell. 

Severus watched the house get engulfed by flames, he of course had added a bit of extra help to the gas that he had flooded the house with, as sirens of distant emergency responders called, Severus disappeared as well. 

By the time the firefighters would get to number four Privet drive, the house would be fully engulfed, and it was all they could do to keep the flames from their neighbours houses. 

-

Severus swept into the dungeons located under Malfoy Manor. 

“Now will you inform me on this muggle filth you have graced my house with?” Lucius queried.

Narcissa was standing beside her husband, nose curled as if she was smelling something disjusting, but maybe she was, the fat teen had pissed himself, from the puddle on the floor. 

“Narcissa, Luicus, I give you Potter’s relatives, Petunia, Vernon and their son Dudley, and THAT is the last time I shall refer to them as Potter’s family,” Severus sneered.  

“Potter? Is this something our Lord asked you to do?” Narcissa asked. 

“No,” Severus stepped towards the three muggles, “you see I suspected something happened over the summer break and I went to find out information. This filth thought it was acceptable to not only emotionally and physically abuse a magical child, they also raped that child.” 

Narcissa’s face turned hard and cold, “are you telling me they raped Potter? Muggles put their filthy hands on a magical child?” 

“The two men did and the woman watched,” Severus flicked his wand and sent the three whimpering muggles back into separate cells, where they couldn’t see or touch each other. 

“Don’t torture them,” Severus said turning to the Malfoys, “I need more information and I need theirs minds intact.”

“Very well,” Lucius replied smoothly and he took Narcissa’s arm and led the way back up into the more civilised area of their home. 

Severus glanced once more at the muggles, a swish of his wand, had them unbound and immediately Petunia began to call for Dudley who was sobbing loudly, as Vernon roared obscenities. Severus strode from the dungeons, the cells turning pitched black and the three screamed as the door slammed shut behind him. 

Next chapter - Severus and the Malfoys sit down and Severus tells them everything. 

As for anyone saying Narcissa changed her tune quickly, to her any magical child is sacred. It is one thing if the Dark Lord kills Potter, but a complete different story if a muggle touches a magical child. 

Anyway what did you think. Drop a kudos if you are enjoying or if you want to spoil me a comment. Thank you and until next chapter. 

Chapter Text

Narcissa smoothed her skirts out as she sat, “you will tell me everything Severus, what do you know about those deplorable muggles and what have you been hiding about Mr Potter and does our Lord know?”

Lucius sat back, an eyebrow arched as he stared at Severus.  

Severus sat with a huff, certainly less elegant than the two Malfoys, his fingers running through his hair, messing it up. 

Narcissa and Lucius shared a quick Look, this was not their usually so refined friend. 

“Our Lord knows that I am aware of where Potter is and at this stage he is content as long as Potter stays out of the war,” Severus answered. 

“You are being obtuse my friend,” Lucius stated, “you know Narcissa and I will not betray you, where is Mr Potter?”

Severus paused a moment before nodding, “Potter is currently hiding in the chamber of secrets. He found it several years ago, as you should be aware Potter is a Pastlemouth he is the only one outside our Lord that can get in and out of the Chamber. 

Potter stole items from the infirmary and then from my stores, I got surveillance of him,” Severus shook his head, “he was not in any kind of healthy condition.” 

“Do you have the orb on you?” Lucius queried. 

Reaching into his pocket Severus handed it over to Lucius, Narcissa shifted closer and they both watched. 

Having seen Potter crawling into his supply cupboard several times, Severus watched Lucius and Narcissa’s faces instead. 

Lines creased around Lucius’s eyes and his lips pursed, in what was clear anger, especially as the man knew those whom were to blame were currently in his dungeons several floors below. 

Narcissa held a hand to her mouth, eyes wide with horror as she took in Potter's emaciated state. 

“Potter, the moment he started school this year, showed signs of abuse.” Severus shook his head, “I’m sure Draco informed you of Potter’s breakdown.”

“Yes, he wrote that Mr Potter urinated in the hallway, I assumed my son was embellishing the truth,” Lucius drawled. 

“It’s true, I understood today why Potter got scared, something set him off to be running around in a blind panic, Filius said Potter tore past him, obviously crying. Potter had urinated out of sheer fear and when the Slytherin student called him a freak his magic reacted. The muggles called him Freak.” Severus reached into his pocket and drew out the small drawing. 

Narcissa took it, “not freak” she said her fingers tracing the words. 

Lucius lips pinched tighter, “the abuse has been going on for some time,” he stated. 

“I believe it has been occurring since the day Potter was left at their house,” Severus nodded as Narcissa placed the drawing beside the orb on the table. 

“I am in tentative communication with Potter currently. I have given him bruise balm and infection control, but it is going to take some time to gain trust. Potter has been emotionally and physically abused from most of his life and now sexual abuse has been added, I don’t blame him if he never wants to leave the Chamber,” Severus mused. 

Narcissa's hands shook as they clenched into fists, “no, no that is no life for a child. I don’t care that he is our Lord's enemy, he is a child in need.” 

Lucius looked at his wife with an amused expression on his face. 

“Don’t you look at me like Lucius, he is the same age as our Draco. How would you feel if he was in the same position with no one to help him?”

Lucius' face sobered up, “but our Lord?” he said softly. 

“Severus said our Lord does not care as long as Mr Potter stays out of the war,” Narcissa snapped. She turned to Severus, “do you believe Mr Potter would be amicable to becoming neutral?” 

Lucius and Severus both frowned. 

“Your vows, Severus,” Narcissa said firmly, “if Mr Potter becomes neutral you are safe from both of your vows.” 

Lucius nodded thoughtfully, “you promised Lily Potter to look after her son and you vowed to our Lord to serve him. IF Mr Potter could be turned neutral it would negate both vows saving you from death or at the very least having your magic ripped from you.”  

Severus leaned back, thoughts processing as he ran multiple scenarios through his mind, “it is possible,” he finally agreed. 

“Then I shall help you Severus, and through helping you I will also lend my help to this young man,” Narcissa said. “Right now that young man needs medical help more than anything else.” 

“I am working on that Narcissa,” Severus pointed out, “but I need to gain his trust.”

“No,” Narcissa shook her head, “Mr Potter is clearly in pain and he will not ask for it, no teenager will ask for help if they think they will get in trouble at the same time. You said you are in communication with the young man?”

Severus nodded, “letters.”

“You will write to him, telling him that the store room has a monitoring charm, -“ Narcissa paused as Severus broke over her. 

“No,” Severus said firmly, “that will break his trust,” he held up his hand as Narcissa went to argue, “I understand what Potter is going through right now more than you Narcissa. But I understand what you are about to suggest, you want me to brew what Potter needs, he will therefore want to know why I am doing so.”

“Why not tell Mr Potter that you understand needs more medical help and you are just giving him what he could possibly need?” Lucius asked. 

Severus pursed his lips, “maybe, it is - difficult conversing with the teenager when communicating by letters.” 

Narcissa made a frustrated sound and got up, “don’t leave,” she stormed from the room. 

Severus and Lucius eyed each other before Lucius made a half shrug, “so what made you want to help enemy number one? Outside of your vow to Lily Potter that is.” 

Severus stared at Lucius, “I understand what Mr Potter is going through right now, I have helped countless students through abusive homes. But seeing Mr Potter like that,” Severus shook his head, “no child deserves to go through what he has.” 

“So what is the long term plan?” Lucius queried. 

“I am taking it day by day right now,” Severus answered, not really knowing the answer to that question himself. 

“Now tell me how is our Lord's assignment he set you going,” Lucius reclined back.

An annoyed sound left Severus' throat, “Wormtail was a incompetent moron, the idiot must have used the wrong ingredient on a few things. I will have to go and ask the rat what he used.” Severus frown deepened, “it still doesn't make sense Lucius, I have been back and forth over the potion and it doesn't add up. I am missing something.”

Lucius pursed his lips, “the lab here is for your disposal and I can see to any errands if you need. I too would like to see our restored to where he should be.” 

“Thank you Lucius,” Severus slumped back in his chair. A groan left him, “want to help me mark students' homework?”

A bark of laughter left Lucius’s throat, “that I will not assist you in.” 

Severus grumbled softly, but enjoyed his friend's banter. 

Narcissa swept back into the room, two books in her hands.  

Lucius arched his eyebrow at the books. 

“Don’t give me that look Lucius,” Narcissa snapped without even seeing her husband's face, which he schooled back to polite indifference when Narcissa turned to him. “We haven’t used them in eighteen years,” the woman continued to scold. 

Severus fought to keep his face blank as amusement ran through him as Narcissa nagged her husband. Instead of gloating in his friend's discomfort, Severus picked up one of the books. 

“Narcissa,” Severus said, breaking the scolding to Lucius’s relief when his wife turned from him. “I can’t accept these, they are rare and expensive.” 

The books were communication diaries, write in one and the other would get the same message instantly. Two people could converse by written form over any distance. 

“You will take them,” Narcissa sat down, her voice saying she wouldn’t take any other answer. “They were a wedding gift that we have never used, saying one day they will become needed. They will benefit you Severus and Mr Potter.” 

“Why are you doing this Narcissa?” Severus asked, rubbing his temples. 

“One you are my friend Severus and if it helps you I will help you. Two, Mr Potter is just a child and I never ever endorsed our Lord, or our cause murdering children. Also his abuse,” Narcissa looked sadly at the orb and the drawing, “that should never have happened, no matter who they are.” 

“Thank you Narcissa, Lucius,” Severus said as he collected the orb and drawing, putting them back into his pocket.

“You need help, you ask us Severus,” Lucius stood as Severus gathered up the books.

Severus nodded to the pair and left, he needed to be getting back to Hogwarts he had a mountain of homework to mark for Monday and the weekend was rapidly disappearing. 

-

Severus barely set the books down on his small dining table when Albus’s phoenix patronus came swooping into the room. 

“Order meeting, Grimmauld,” the phoenix disappeared. 

A groan left Severus as he removed the evidence from Potter's home from his pockets and moved back to the floo. 

-

Grimmauld was in complete shambles, Black was in his usual overworked state, eyes wild as Severus walked in, the last to arrive at the meeting. 

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY GODSON?” Sirius roared the moment he set eyes on Severus. 

Severus just stared at the man, “I have no idea what nonsense you are sprouting mutt.” 

Sirius went to bark some more drivel, when Dumbledore held up his hand, blue eyes piercing Severus. 

The rest of the room fell silent and every eye turned onto Severus, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Sirius and Lupin, Moody, Tonks and the rest of the idiotic Order of the Phoenix. 

“Something occurred this morning,” Albus paused. 

Severus waited a few breaths before staring back at the old coot, “am I supposed to guess?” he drawled. 

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, death eater scum,” Sirius snarled. 

Severus turned a bland expression to the man, “I know many things Black, more than your feeble little mind could comprehend, but I do not know what you are alluding to this morning. Albus I have a mountain of marking to be done, just spit it out so I go back to my school work.” 

“Where were you this morning?” Albus asked. 

“I was with Lord and Lady Malfoy, I had breakfast with them, then we discussed Draco and his schooling then we discussed the matter in which I informed you about already,” Severus answered. 

Blue eyes glittered as they stared back at him, Severus didn’t even flinch or blink until Albus nodded. 

“You didn’t go anywhere but Malfoy Manor?” Albus queried. 

“Oh yes,” Severus snarked, voice oozing with sarcasm, “I forgot about the naked skipping I did through the unicorn meadow.”

Arthur’s, Lupin's and Tonk’s lips twitched slightly. 

“Now, now Severus there is no need for sarcasm,” Albus smoothly said. 

“I am busy,” Severus grumbled, “get on with it or I am leaving.”

“The Dursley home in Surrey was burned down this morning,” Moody barked out.

“And who are they?” Severus asked. 

“Potter’s muggle family,” Moody’s glass eye was fixed on Severus.  

Severus paused for a moment, “an attack?” he asked. 

“YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR FILTHY FRIENDS WOULD HAVE DONE IT,” Sirius yelled. “”WHERE IS MY GODSON SNAPE!” 

Severus sighed, “as Albus had most likely told you, we are currently unaware of Potter's current location. Albus this wasn’t an attack by death eaters or at least I wasn’t informed about it. I haven’t been in the Dark Lord's presence since I told you about it. Was the mark left above the house?”

“No,” Albus shook his head. 

Moody sat back, “I went to the house, nothing but a smoldering ruin remained. Three bodies have been recovered, I muddled the minds of the muggle authorities and performed tests on the bodies, they are Potter's relatives. The muggle authorities are suggesting it was a gas leak, causing the explosion.”

Severus gave a blank look over the Order, “did you summon me to accuse me of murdering Potter's relatives?” his voice was hard and cold. 

“Well did you?” Moody asked. 

“No,” Severus answered icily. 

“Where is Harry?” Sirius collapsed into a chair, “he has been missing a week.”

Severus shot Black a disgusted look, his eyes flickering over the room, these were supposed to be the adults who protected Potter. Molly was blubbering into a napkin, and Severus felt annoyed. Potter should have felt safe enough to go to any of these adults and asked for help and yet he didn’t. 

“As far as I am aware, this was not a planned attack by the Dark Lord. But it is not like the whole damn wizarding world doesn't know Potter is missing with the papers and their idiotic articles,” Severus said smoothly. 

Albus sighed, “has anyone had any contact from Harry?” 

Everyone shook their heads.

“The owls all come back as well, letters still attached like they just can’t find him,” Lupin explained. 

Silence filled the room once again. 

“If you lot are just going to sulk I am heading back to Hogwarts and do some real work,” Severus snapped and turned leaving as abruptly as he came 

“Harry,” Sirius said softly again and Moody shot the man an annoyed look. 

“It does look like it was purely an accident Albus,” Moody continued, after he made sure Snape was gone through the floo. 

Albus sighed and nodded, “very well Alastor, keep an eye on the investigation and inform me of anything changes. Now how is the search for Harry going?”

“I have been keeping an ear out at the Ministry and outside of the whispers of Harry missing nothing,” Arthur said. 

“The aurors of course all know that they see Harry to take him into the Ministry and call me,” Moody barked. 

“Albus, maybe it is time to put it out officially to the muggle world as well,” Lupin said, still holding Sirius’s shoulder. 

“Harry has only been missing a week, let us give him until next weekend, he may turn up yet,” Albus said gravely. 

“Snivillius knows something,” Sirius whined. 

Everyone ignored him. 

“Go home everyone, I will call if anything changes,” Albus stood. 

-

Mental exhausted from the morning of seeing Potter’s summer of rape and torment, and then the idiocy of the Order of the Pheonix, Severus sat at his table a massive pile of marking in front of him. Sighing he popped open his red ink and pulled the first of many assessments towards him. 

-

Dobby was worried about his master, ever since Harry had used the bruise balm four days ago he had been a wreck. Dobby, having to coax Harry into having baths, encouraging him to eat. Every time Harry drifted to sleep he would wake screaming, begging someone to stop. Something about the bruises had set Harry off into a crazed state. 

Dobby’s eyes moved to Harry where he was sleeping curled up on the couch, he had refused to leave his master’s side, outside of very quick trips to the kitchen to get food, which was barely nibbled at. His master was losing weight again, his eyes dark and hollow from lack of sleep. He wrung his hands, he didn’t know what to do. 

Harry began to whimper in his sleep and Dobby rushed to his side, running fingers through Harry’s hair, learning that helped sooth his master. “I is here master Harry, I is here to helps you.” 

The whimpers evened out and Harry went back to sleep, but Dobby knew his master couldn’t keep this up, today was the fifth day and he was determined to get Harry to eat something more than a few nibbles. 

-

Sunday morning found Severus laying in bed, staring at the ceiling. He was irritated and tired, he had only gone to bed in the early hours due to marking homework. His mind kept circling back to Potter and his summer of horror, he was also concerned about the teenager, he had to find a way to get the diary to Potter, hopefully opening a better line of communication. He knew what injuries the teen had now, and some were in very serious need of healing, Potter had to be in considerable pain still. 

A series of loud knocking bashed on his door. 

Groaning Severus climbed out of bed, pulling a long black bath robe over his sleeping clothes, “WHAT!” he snapped as he yanked open his door. 

Minerva stood on the other side, looking like she had dressed in a hurry, she stepped into his room, “sorry Severus, but the Prophet.”

“There is no newspaper on Sunday," Severus grumbled. 

“Special edition.” Minerva handed the paper over and Severus groaned at the top line. 

HARRY POTTERS FAMILY MURDERED!!

“You have got to be kidding me,” Severus moved deeper into his room and sat down on a couch, Minerva moving to a chair. 

My good readers, yesterday I uncovered a series of unfortunate events and it couldn’t be kept hidden, not even for one day more. It is my duty to expose such things to the public. 

It is well known by now that Mr Harry Potter, the wizarding world’s saviour has gone missing. It has been seven days since Mr Potter ran away from Hogwarts, without a single trace leading to where he is hiding, I suspected the teenager may have run away back to his family. I looked up Mr Potter’s family and to my surprise I couldn’t find a single thing to say where Mr Potter lived in the summer break between school years. This I found suspicious. 

Severus rolled his eyes. 

Three days I searched for and I found it, Lily Potter (nee Evans) was a muggleborn and she had a sister, Petunia Evans, through that connection I had found the summer residence of Mr Potter. (Page 4 for more details on Lily Potter and her muggle family) 

Yesterday morning I took it upon myself to go to the household of Petunia Evans, now Petunia Dursely, her husband Vernon Dursely and their son Dudley Dursely. To see if that is where Mr Potter had returned to or if they knew anything about his whereabouts. 

To my sheer surprise I found the house gone. Burned to nothing but ashes, muggle authorities everywhere. The bodies of Mr and Mrs Durlsey and their son inside, dead on arrival. The Muggle authorities have declared the deaths an “unfortunate accident” a incident involving a combustible gas that lit the house on fire. But I believe, my good readers it was no accident. But MURDER. 

Was it He Who Must Not Be Named and his foul followers or was it Harry Potter himself. 

It is to be said that the Mr Potter didn’t have a good home life, I remember when I interviewed him and his house mates only last year in the Triwizard Tournament (page 6 for more details) saying how he barely spoke of his family or his summer breaks. (Page 7 for comments from fellow students)

Severus stopped reading the rest of the drivel, he shook his head, “this Skeeter needs to be pulled into control.” 

“Was it HIM?” Minerva asked. 

“As far as I am aware, no,” Severus shook his head. 

Minerva’s lips tightened, “we know it wasn’t Mr Potter.” 

“Let us hope Mr Potter doesn't see this drivel,” Severus stated. 

-

Hermione stared at the mornings special edition, the entire school was buzzing at breakfast, even those who usually slept in late, were down at the morning breakfast. 

Whispers and murmurs about Harry being unstable circled the hall. 

“Harry wouldn’t have done it,” Ron said strongly and very loudly. 

“Skeeter,” Hermione hissed, “I made her promise Ron,” Hermione spat. 

“What are you going to do?” Ron seemed worried about the look on his girlfriend's face. 

“The ministry will be getting informed about an unregistered animagus.” Hermione stood abruptly and stormed over to Luna at the Ravenclaw table, “does your father still have the Quibbler?”

“Yes, why?” Luna asked. 

“I want an article to be written,” Hermione said coolly. 

“Let’s go to my rooms then,” Luna stood. 

“Meet me in the library instead, I have to go and get my evidence,” Hermione took off to the Gryffindor tower. 

-

Harry woke slowly, his eyes felt gummy, as his stomach clenched into a tight ball rebelled at the plate of food in front of him. His mind had been plagued ever since he got rid of the bruises with memories. He could still feel his uncle's hands on him. He sobbed. 

“Master Harry, please eat, please,” Dobby begged. 

Curling up into a small ball, Harry sobbed, “why won’t the memories stop Dobby, why won’t they stop?”

“You need help, Master Harry,” Dobby whined. 

“I want to forget,” Harry’s eyes roamed over the table, seeing a new paper. “No paper on Sundays," he mumbled. 

“Special edition,” Dobby said, he had just grabbed a copy, not noticing the headline as he piled a plate full of everything, hoping something would entice Harry to eat. 

“Pass it here please,” Harry hoped it was something that could take his mind off what he was feeling. 

HARRY POTTER’S FAMILY MURDERED!!

A gasp left Harry’s lips as he sat up, swaying as he head swum, but he kept reading, his eyes scanning the article fast. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. The word kept repeating inside his head. They were dead. 

At first happiness exploded through Harry, they couldn’t hurt him again, his uncle and cousin couldn’t hurt him, he, he - shame and guilt followed that joy. Guilt swallowed Harry completely, as he sat wide eyed, starting to hyperventilate, he was happy they were dead, he couldn’t be happy someone was dead, he wasn’t a monster. The last of his family was dead and despite the fact he didn’t like them, he was truly alone now. A keen began to leave his throat, they were dead and Skeeter was blaming him. Blaming him. He didn’t do it, but they were blaming him. Harry began to rock, the sounds falling from his got louder, they always blamed him. 

“FREAK!” came his uncle's roaring voice inside his head. 

“You should have just died with your parents,” Petunia screeched. 

“USELESS FREAK! FREAK! FREAK! FREAK!” Dudley tormented then his aunt and uncle's voices echoed it. 

“WE ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU! YOUR FAULT! YOUR FAULT!” 

“STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!” Harry screamed as he clutched at his own head. He fell off the couch, narrowly missing smashing the table as he screamed. 

Dobby stood shocked, not knowing how to help his master, when he knew he had to get someone. There was only one his Master was trusting right then. 

-

Severus and Minerva were discussing the article when an almighty pop and Severus wand was out and pointing at a distressed house elf. 

“MASTER HARRY NEED HELP,” Dobby yelled. 

Severus glanced at Minerva. 

“I will cover you, go,” Minerva stated. 

“Take me to Mr Potter,” Severus held out his non-wand hand and Dobby took it and with a pop and they were gone. 

A moment later Severus stood in what he presumed was the chamber of secrets and as much as he desired to look around, Potter’s panicked screams had him moving to the teens side. 

The article on the floor likely gave away why Potter was in a full blown panic attack. 

Grabbing Potter’s chin, sent Harry into more panicked screams, as Severus uncorked a vial of calming potion. 

“LET GO, LET GO. PLEASE DON’T,” Harry screeched, his hands battering at what he believed was his uncle. 

Severus ignored the weak attempts to push him off, Potter was too thin to have much force, and he tipped the potion down the teens throat and clamped his jaw tight, as he dropped the empty vial and stroked the teens throat encouraging him to swallow. 

Once the potion was down, Severus let go of Harry and backed off, letting the teen go, who collapsed onto the ground and sobbed, curling up into a ball, whimpering. 

Five minutes passed agonizing slowly as the potion kicked in. 

Harry felt his terror calm, he was still sobbing softly, but the sheer panic was gone, he looked up from his curled up ball and saw a figure in black. “Snape?” he whimpered. 

“You had a panic attack Mr Potter, your elf fetched me to help you,” Severus made sure his hands stayed on his knees as Harry sat up, eyes wide as he fumbled around for his glasses. “To your left Mr Potter," he stated, “on the floor near your foot.” 

Harry picked up his glasses and shoved them onto his nose and the black figure no longer blurred, his Professor sat on the ground in a bath robe and night clothes. The article rolled back into his mind, fear and revulsion at his own happiness that they were gone pushed at the artificial calm. “I didn’t do it,” he whimpered, “I didn’t do it.” 

“I know Mr Potter, I believe you,” Severus said calmly. 

Those words were so euphoric to Harry, an adult who believed him, an adult who didn’t immediately turn away from him. Tears erupted again and Harry didn’t care that it was his hated potions professor, he collapsed against the man and held him, sobbing heavily. 

Severus froze for a moment, so not expecting the teen to be in his lap crying his eyes out, holding his robes like it was the only thing tethering him to this world. 

Damn he was so not made for this kind of comfort. 

-

Okay another chapter down. I rewrote this four damn times, I kept changing my mind how I wanted the next chapter to go. 

But I am finally happy with this chapter. 

As always love to know what you think. Drop a kudos if you haven't already. 

Thank you and until next chapter, have a good day :) 

Chapter Text

“I know Mr Potter, I believe you,” Severus said calmly. 

Those words were so euphoric to Harry, an adult who believed him, an adult who didn’t immediately turn away from him. Tears erupted again and Harry didn’t care that it was his hated potions professor, he collapsed against the man and held him, sobbing heavily. 

Severus froze for a moment, so not expecting the teen to be in his lap crying his eyes out, holding his robes like it was the only thing tethering him to this world. 

Damn he was so not made for this kind of comfort. 

“Breathe Mr Potter, match my breaths,” Severus said softly but voice still firm enough that when he pulled in a long slow breath, the teen in his lap, sobbing so hard it shook his body, copied. It was slow at first, Severus took a slow breath in, held it and let it back out. Potter copied him around sobs, but slowly the sobs slowed and a more even breathing was taking over. 

Harry relaxed as he focused on Snape’s breathing and only his breathing. It was hard at first, his sobs breaking his tries, but Snape never admonished him, never calling him stupid. He just let him take his time in calming the rest of the way down. Finally he just sat in the man’s lap, resting against his Professor, when embarrassment hit, he was SITTING in his PROFESSOR’S LAP, who was wrapped in a bath robe over night clothes. 

Severus was rather amused when Potter glanced up at him, eyes going wide and round behind those glasses, bright red flush going across the teens cheeks.

Embarrassed, Harry bolted from Snape’s lap and was across the room, the small table between him and Snape, before Harry paused again, his face hot with embarrassment.

“I am not going to hurt you Mr Potter,” Severus said, voice still smooth and calming, hands laid back on his knees palms up to show he wasn’t a danger, as he noticed the panic in Potter’s eyes. 

His space suddenly felt like it had been invaded, Harry shifted uncomfortably as he glanced around the room, eyes always darting back to make sure the man hadn’t moved, when he looked down. His throat hitched, he wasn’t wearing his glamour, his clothes whilst new, still hung from his body, he was so clearly malnourished. His breathing picked up as he looked back up at Snape, the calming potion keeping his full panic at bay. Had Snape seen his scars? His magic flared and the glamour was back in place. 

“There is no need to hide from me Mr Potter, I know that you are unwell,” Severus stated, bright green eyes stared at him unsettled and clearly scared. 

“How - how did you get in here?” Harry whispered. 

Dobby popped back in, “I’m sorry Master Harry,” the elf wrung his hands over and over, ears drooped completely down, “you were screaming, I didn’t know what else to do.” 

Relief filled Harry, “it’s okay Dobby,” Harry reassured the house elf, who was beginning to cry. “No please don’t cry Dobby, I’m better now, thanks to you, - ah,” Harry glanced at Snape who hadn’t moved at all, “could you please bring us some tea?” He didn’t want tea, he wanted Snape out of his home, he wanted to be alone, but the elf clearly needed something to do and it seemed rude to throw Snape out after he just helped him. 

“STRAIGHT AWAY MASTER HARRY,” Dobby squealed, making both Snape and Harry wince. 

“Ah-” Harry fell off, shifting awkwardly as Snape’s dark eyes watched him, the man’s face blank as Harry fidgeted. 

A pop made Harry jump, as a tea pot, tea cups, sugar, milk, cream and an assortment of biscuits on a plate appeared on the table. 

“Would you like tea?” Harry asked, gesturing vaguely over the table. 

“Tea, no sugar, spoon of cream, please Mr Potter,” Severus said smoothly, staying where he was not moving so as to not spook the teen. 

Edging forward, Harry made Snape’s tea and placed it right at the edge of the table before moving back. 

“I am about to pick up the saucer and two biscuits Mr Potter,” Severus said, green eyes locked onto him, a body rigid clearly ready to flee. So he moved slowly, slipping over to the table, keeping his hands always in clear view, he motioned to the ginger newts before picking two up along with his cup and saucer and moved back to his spot, where his whole body was clear to be seen and not hidden behind the table. 

“You don’t need the glamour Mr Potter, not with me, it would be drawing on your magic,” Severus sipped at the tea. 

It was hard to maintain such rigid uptightness when Snape was so careful, yet also casual, “I can maintain it, my magic is fine,” Harry said as he sat down and made himself a tea. 

It was hard at first just sitting there drinking tea with Snape in the room, but there was also something soothing in the man, a quiet comfort. Harry still was unsure and his eyes flickered to different rooms, mainly to the tunnels that led into Hogwarts, he could get away if he needed. But the company was also nice, it left Harry confused. 

Draining the last mouthful, Severus could sense the growing confusion coming from Potter, green eyes kept flickering up to him and then away, eyes glancing around to different doors as if Potter was assessing escape routes. It was clear the teen was wanting his own space back again, placing his empty cup on the ground, Severus turned to the teen. Who had stiffened, eyes watching him closely. “if you are in no more need of my assistance I would like to be taken back to my rooms.” 

Harry froze, his eyes locked onto Snape, “you - you aren’t going to force me back?”

“No, you have clearly got somewhere safe,” Severus looked around the room, eyes taking in the runes, before moving on, a clear desire to explore in the man’s eyes, he didn’t hide that from Potter. “You have a house elf that clearly cares for you,” Severus turned his gaze back onto Harry. “Mr Potter you know that I have seen what is under that glamour, you are far too thin, and there are more injuries there. I have no judgement, but clearly something went very wrong over this summer break and you have been hurt because of it. But you are also clearly not ready to talk about it. You are calm, the panic attack is over, if you let me, I will return to my quarters.” 

Harry stared at Snape, he couldn’t drop the glamour, he knew it was foolish, the man had already seen him, held him even as he sobbed on his lap, but he couldn’t let himself be seen like that again. “Dobby, can you take Professor Snape back?” Harry asked. 

“Of course Master Harry,” Dobby moved to Snape, his hand out. 

“Just one thing Mr Potter,” Severus said, noting the sudden stillness the teen took, his whole body ready to flee, magic just began to stir in the air around Potter. “Would you permit me to put you on a proper food schedule?” 

“Huh?” Harry asked, his certainty that Snape was going to ask something he didn’t want to do had caused his fight and flight to grow, but the strange question caught him off guard. 

“You are underweight Mr Potter, potentially dangerously so, you have been at Hogwarts for almost a month and you have either put on little to no weight or you were a lot worse when you first got here,” Severus continued. 

Harry fidgeted, “worse,” he whispered, but the keen ears of Snape still heard it.

“I would like to give you a food schedule to follow, it will help you gain weight quicker and in a healthy manner, excluding foods that will be detrimental to actual weight gain. I will also supply you with nutritional potions, this will help counteract the lack of nutrients in your system.” Severus made sure his body showed it was relaxed and not a threat. 

Shifting uncomfortably, Harry nodded as he picked at the bottom of his shirt, “how?” he started. 

“The same as before I shall place everything you need in the supply cupboard and you can collect as you like,” Severus answered. 

Harry nodded, “what do you want in return?” he whispered. 

“Nothing Mr Potter, as I have stated before, I am the adult in this situation, you are a student and one of the many students under my care,” Severus stated. It was clearly too much for the teen as tears began to fill Potter’s eyes again. “Dobby,” Severus said and the elf turned to him, “when you're ready please take me back to my chambers.” Severus turned to Potter, “do you permit me to call on your house elf, when I have your meals ready for you?” 

Harry simply nodded.

Severus stood slowly, keeping his hands obvious as he placed his cup and plate back on the table, before backing off as Potter had stiffened at his rise. 

“I shall have meals ready for you by tonight, along with the nutritional potions,” Severus held out his hand. 

Nodding again Harry watched as Snape disappeared with a pop. 

-

Severus landed with a light thump, his eyes going straight to Minerva who was sitting on his couch still, flicking through one of his personal books. He cleared his throat as the house elf popped back out again. 

“Well?” Minerva asked. 

“Mr Potter got a copy of the Prophet, he had a panic attack,” Severus answered. 

“Poor boy, what a way to find out your family is dead,” Minevra said sadly. 

“I got a calming potion into him, we had tea and I had the elf drop me off,” Severus continued. 

Minerva narrowed her eyes, “you know as well as me, that more occurred, is Mr Potter in the Chamber of Secrets?” 

“Whilst I can’t be one hundred percent certain as I have never been in the Chamber before,” Severus felt mirth as the corner of Minerva’s eye twitched, “I believe so, the runes carved into the walls are similar to the ones in the Slytherin commonroom, just a lot more advanced. There are symbols of basilisks everywhere too, I would say that it is the Chamber.”

“What condition is Mr Potter in, mentally and physically, are your suspicions true?” Minerva asked. 

Severus paused for a moment, “Mr Potter seems mentally stable, though nervous, he is scared he will be forced to come back up here. Physically,” he paused again, wondering how much to tell the witch. 

“Severus?” Minerva asked worried, “Mr Potter’s physical condition?”

“He was starved Minerva,” Severus decided to only tell her what was needed, “Mr Potter was indeed abused over this summer break, he is emaciated.”

Eyes stared back at him shocked, “he was always so thin compared to the others,” Minerva said softly. 

“I asked and Mr Potter has agreed to me putting him on nutritional potions and I shall be giving Mr Potter’s house elf a food regime of what is and isn’t healthy for a teenager boy to be on. That should help Mr Potter start to regain some weight.”

“What other injuries?” Minerva asked. 

“None that I could see,” Severus lied smoothly, though it wasn’t a complete lie, whatever else Mr Potter suffered from was under his clothes and internal injuries. 

“You are lying to me,” Minevra’s eyes narrowed. 

“I am not, the bruise balm and infection paste have done their jobs and Mr Potter had no bruises or infections that I could detect, the boy wasn’t going to let me strip him and check him over for injuries, AND,” Severus added loudly when Minevra opened her mouth, “he will not answer correctly if I merely asked. He is an abuse victim, it will take more than a simple cup of tea for him to understand that not all adults are out to get him.” 

“Very well,” Minerva stood, “if you need anything ask Severus, that young man is one of my lions.” 

Severus nodded and stood, walking Minevra out of his rooms. Shutting and locking his doors, Severus sat back down pondering Potter. There was a faint trust there, his eyes fell onto the diaries Narcissa gave him. He didn’t have the time to organise healthy foods everyday and nor did he trust Potter would follow a plan if he gave him a written one. He looked down on his bath robe and night clothes, scoffing at being seen in such a state of undress, Severus stormed to his bedroom to get changed. 

-

It had taken time for Harry to settle once again, it had been a fortnight since he had another human company, having been only him and Dobby. He still felt like his space had been invaded and he didn’t really like that, even if that man had helped him. 

Sitting on the couch, Harry stared at the empty cup Snape had used. The man hadn’t insisted on anything, hadn’t asked anything from him, didn’t demand answers. His eyes flickered back to the paper, they hadn’t even talked about that. 

Dobby popped in, “Master Harry?” he asked as he began to clean up the empty cups. 

“Dobby, please put the paper somewhere, but don’t throw it out,” Harry said.

“Yes, straight away,” Dobby grabbed the paper and went to the area Dobby set up in the corner with all of his things and placed the paper in a drawer.  

Harry’s thought turned back to Snape, he hadn’t even been in his rooms for that long, maybe ten minutes of him sobbing on the man, Harry could feel his cheeks heat again in embarrassment over that. Then maybe another fifteen drinking tea in silence, Snape must have sensed his unease and just left, it was - easy. Harry laid down, staring at the runes above him. It had been - nice, actually, confusing but nice. 

Dobby moved closer to the couch, “you okay Master Harry?”

“Thank you Dobby,” Harry said, watching as the elf’s ears flickered, “I needed help and you got me what I needed, thank you.”

“Anything for you Master Harry, anything,” Dobby set about cleaning up the rest of the empty cups and biscuits, leaving his Master to stare at the ceiling. 

-

Malfoy Manor was quiet as Severus stormed down to the dungeons, his heavy black robes billowing as he moved. 

Lights came on the moment he opened the door causing the three inhabitants to cry out, startled and from their eyes hurting at the sudden light, all three muggles covering their eyes as he moved over to their cells. 

Petunia got up and went to the bars on her cell, watching as Severus pulled his wand and conjured a chair. “Please - pl-ease, my Dudley is innocent,” she tried to beg. 

Severus sneered as he sat, “your son raped Mr Potter repeatedly, he is no innocent.”

“He is just a child,” Petunia sobbed. 

“SO WAS HARRY!” Severus roared. He took sadistic delight in the flinches all three muggles produced. He took a deep breath and calmed himself, he studied the muggles, they were filthy. Skin stained with dirt and mess, hair a mess, whilst the cells had been spelled to remove human waste, they still stunk of stale sweat already. 

“How long have you been neglecting and abusing Mr Potter?” Severus asked calmly. 

Vernon snarled, “he is just a freak like you,” coming to the cells, spitting as he spoke.

Anger flared and Severus lifted his wand, “Crucio,” screams echoed from the man as he toppled to the floor, writhing as all his nerves fired pain through him. 

“I see you are in a good mood this morning,” Lucius drawled as he walked into the dungeons. 

“I am seeking answers,” Severus lifted the spell when Vernon lost control of his bladder and pissed himself. The spells in the room, removing the foul smelling fluid.

“Hmmm I can see that,” Lucius stated dryly. 

Severus turned his wand back on Petunia, who was screaming Vernon’s name over and over, begging him to stop. He smashed his way into her brain, sifting through years of neglect, whilst the rapes had only started that summer there was still plenty of negligence. He watched as Potter was treated like a house elf to the family, looking after the slobs, eating scraps they had left. Forced to scrub floors until his hands bled, shoved into the tiny cupboard and told not to exist. 

Petunia was a sobbing mess by the time Severus extracted himself from her mind. 

Standing to the side Lucius watched as Severus barely controlled his anger, the man’s hand gripping his wand so tight, he was worried his friend might just snap his wand by accident. 

Pain, humiliation, fear, that was all Potter had known since he was one year old, not one iota of love had come from this family of muggles, not one. Potter was too young when he lost Lily and James he wouldn’t remember their care and attention. Severus wanted to rip these muggles to pieces, shred them to nothing. 

“Severus?” Lucius called, breaking Severus out of his murderous thoughts. 

Severus stood and banished the chair, “I have no more need of them.” He watched as Petunia sagged with relief. Dudley who stood watching him eyes wide also seemed happier. “But they will suffer,” Severus added as he watched Vernon push himself off the floor. 

Vernon and Petunia turned white as Dudley whimpered. 

Severus turned on the cells, “you will feel every strike, every moment of pain from your own hands you caused on that young man. You will not die until you have experienced everything that you put Mr Potter through, your minds will stay intact, you will not be allowed to go insane and escape your punishment.” 

“Se-sever-us ple-ase,” Petunia begged, “my son -,”

“Is who I will start with,” Severus lifted his wand and over Petunia’s pleas for mercy, over Vernon’s angry roars, Severus started chanting. Dudley tried to run around the tiny cell, but it did nothing but leave him panting, eyes wide in fear as the scary wizard spoke those strange words. The blonde man behind him, grin widening with a horrific gleam in his eyes. 

Suddenly the pressure that was building around Dudley stopped and nothing happened. 

Severus lowered his wand and waited, Dudley began to laugh thinking whatever magic the man was doing failed, when he felt fingers pinch his arm and twist, he cried out in pain as a red mark flared on his skin like someone pinched and twisted that area. 

There was a pause and another pinch, this one to his ear, he cried out in pain and clutched at his ear, “mummy, daddy?” he cried out. 

“WHAT DID YOU DO?” Vernon roared. 

“MY PRECIOUS BOY!” Petunia screamed, both pressed to the bars of their cells trying to see their son, but failing. 

“OW, NO STOP IT!” Dudley was now slapping away invisible hands as more pinches occurred, when he stumbled and pain flared through his knees as if he had fallen onto them. 

Severus felt no joy, no amusement as Dudley began to beg and cry for the pain to stop. 

“Leave the lights on Lucius, I want him to see the bruises and marks he caused Potter,” Severus stated as he walked from the dungeons. 

Lucius fell in behind, when an almighty scream left the muggle, Lucius turned around in time to see a twisted finger, bent at a strange angle on Dudley’s hand, before magic pulled it straight again. He shut the door, “you didn’t put the same curse on the parents?”

“No, they will suffer, watching their son be in pain, then when I am ready I will return and do the same to them, they will understand what they put Potter through,” Severus kept walking. 

-

“Narcissa I have a favour to ask,” Severus got straight to the point as he sat down. “Mr Potter and I made contact this morning and he has agreed to an eating plan, I do not trust the elves at Hogwarts to not tell Albus that I have requested such a meal plan. Nor do I completely trust Potter's house elf to follow the plan especially if Potter says no. Would your house elf be able to make five small meals a day for a week?”

“Of course we can do that, do you have a set plan?” Narcissa asked. 

“Not yet, I was going to get Poppy’s help, but for now healthier meals than what Hogwarts serves would be a start,” Severus replied. 

Narcissa nodded, “Moppy,” she called, clapping her hands. 

“Yes Mistress,” Moppy popped in cowering slightly. 

“Come with me, what food do we have currently,” Narcissa stood and swept from the sitting room. 

“Well that’s a first,” Lucius stated as he stretched out, “I didn’t even think Cissy knew where the kitchen was.”

“You will find yourself under a nasty curse if you keep making comments about your wife like that,” Severus remarked.

“You said you made contact with Mr Potter this morning?” Lucius stated. 

“Yes,” Severus said nothing more and Lucius let it drop. 

“What has our Lord been up to?” Severus asked, being a double spy at the school he wasn’t always up to date with the happenings. 

“He had Narcissa and I collect a chalice from Bellatrix's vault the other day,” Lucius answered, “not sure why.” Before the man gave a shrug which still oozed elegance, “as for our efforts we have been rather quiet. I believe our Lord is plotting a way to get our comrades out of Azkaban.”

A noncommittal sound left Severus’s throat. 

“The Prophet was rather interesting this morning,” Lucius slyly said. “I am assuming it is why you are in a foul mood?” 

“Mr Potter had a panic attack, I calmed him down and that is all,” Severus finally stated after a moment. 

“Ah- that’s how the contact started, it’s a good thing really, now you have more reasons to keep talking with Mr Potter, have you given him the diaries yet?”

“Not yet, but today when I give Potter the food I will add the diary.” 

Narcissa returned with a basket and placed it down in front of Severus. “As requested, a week of small meals of five a day.”

“Thank you Narcissa,” Severus stood, “I should be going. I am on duty after lunch.”

Lucius walked Severus to the floo, “you are putting too much on your shoulders once again, let us take care of the food. I will consult my personal healer, the one who is sworn to silence and see what she recommends for meals.” 

Severus stiffened.

“No names and no details outside of necessity,” Lucius added. 

“Who?” Severus asked. 

“Healer Dolohov, Lady Clarissa Dolohov,” Lucius said. 

Severus pursed his lips. Very well. 

Lucius nodded. I shall call her to come over the next few days and have a proper meal plan worked out. 

Severus left through the floo. 

-

-

The chalice gleamed in the low light as Voldemort sat back, staring at it. His fourth horcrux, he had been researching heavily the last week, everything he could get his hands on. He reached out with his magic and his own part of his soul flared inside the chalice, he could feel it, it wanted to return to him. 

But researching his horcruxes hadn't been his only task, he had also been looking through the memories of his followers. Lucius had been right, he was - unhinged, towards the end of the war. 

He needed to get his soul back, needed to reabsorb his soul fragments, it was just a chance that Potter had destroyed his first horcrux and half his soul returned to him. But how did he destroy his horcrux without destroying his soul, how had Potter done it? Or was it just because he had been a wraith at the time?

Voldemort thought momentarily on calling Severus, to see what advances the man had made, but he didn’t, after all it had only been a week since he had given Severus to work. 

Irritated at the lack of answers, Voldemort's eyes flickered to the paper from that morning, another mystery maybe, Potter’s family dead. He hadn’t ordered the hit, so maybe it was just an accident. But he seriously doubted it, but there was only one among his circle that would have a reason right now to target Potter’s family and not come to him to gloat about it, in chance of a reward and that was Snape. 

But Voldemort turned his eyes back onto the chalice, the boy really wasn’t his priority anymore. He had gone over the prophecy again, it was a self-fulling prophecy, which was rather obvious in his current mind set. He had already died at Potter’s hands once, and as far as he was concerned that was the end of it. Besides if Potter became a problem he could always deal with him then. 

-

AN: Okay another chapter done. Severus is finally getting an opening to help Harry more. As always drop a kudos if you got this far and haven't already. Or if feeling generous drop a comment. 

Thanks and until next chapter have a good one. 

Chapter Text

Sitting on his couch Harry stared at the basket and the book that Snape had left for him in the supply cupboard. 

The basket was full of meals in glass containers along with a week's worth of nutritional potions. 

The book however Harry was pondering returning, he looked down on the letter he held in his hands and read it again. 

Mr Potter 

Inside the basket you will find a week worth of meals. Five meals a day and Mr Potter space them out roughly every two and half to three hours. They are small meals but nutritious for your health and aid in weight gain. It is acceptable to struggle at first with many meals a day, ask your house elf to track time schedules. 

The basket is spelled to preserve the meals so leave them in there until you are ready to eat. There is also several nutritional acceptable desserts. I am aware of your sweet tooth and Potter I advise you follow the meals I give you if you wish to regain weight in an appropriate timing. 

The Nutritional Potions. Twice a day, once with your breakfast and a second in the evening with your dinner. 

The black book is a communication diary. I have a second copy. If you wish and only if you wish you may write in it and I shall get the communication straight away. Our books will glow blue when a new message has been written. Once again I assure you this is no trick. I just believe it will be easier way for our communication instead of via letters. You are underweight Mr Potter and whilst I am unable to monitor you properly I would like communication to assure that everything with the potions is going well. 

I would like to arrange a way to weigh you ensure you are gaining weight correctly. Let me know if you are acceptable to this and I will place scales in the storeroom.

Prof. Snape. 

Harry frowned at the book, he was unsure about it, but Snape hadn’t ridiculed him. Hadn’t hit him. Hadn’t hurt him. Didn’t even say a nasty word to him, even after he had blubbered all over him. Harry huffed as he put the letter down and scratched at his head. He was so confused, it had been nice having Snapes company even if only for a little bit of time, yet he also wanted his quiet space. 

His mind churned, his family was gone, his abuse and how they couldn’t do that again to him. Then his mind turned to his friends, Snape had said Ron and Hermione had been looking for him. Maybe just maybe he hadn’t been alone as he had thought. But he shivered; he couldn't handle Hermione’s pandering or Ron’s looks right then. 

Snape was quiet, Snape was giving him the space he needed, whilst still helping him. Just giving what he needed, but now the book. He supposed it would be easier than walking up and down to the store room all the time with letters, but still. 

Harry sighed and he ran his hand through his hair again, instead he turned his attention to the basket and peered into it, noting all the different types of meals. 

“Dobby,” he called, and the elf came over from where he was cleaning. “I am going on a food plan. Snape says I have to eat five times a day and only this food. Could you please make sure I am eating when I am supposed to, and I am also supposed to have a potion with breakfast and again at dinner.” 

“Yes Master Harry sir, I can do that, Dobby here to look after you Master Harry, and Dobby will look after Master Harry’s food,” Dobby nodded as he talked quickly. 

Amused Harry watched as Dobby picked up the basket, which was almost as big as he was, and carried it over to the corner, which the elf had taken over as his own. The area Dobby had picked blocked the door in Salazar’s crypt, not that Harry was overly wanting to go back into that room anyway. 

He turned away from the diary and went to the library, wanting to do something other than stew on the death of his relatives. 

-

Monday morning saw Severus sitting at the staff breakfast table, eyes scanning his Slytherin table as he ate quietly. He had heard nothing from Potter since he had given the teenager the meals and the book, he hoped that he hadn’t taken a step too fast with the diary and put a delay in their communication. 

“Severus?” came the sickly sweet tone from the witch beside him, breaking Severus breakfast. 

“Dolores,” Severus drawled. 

“I didn’t see you at all over the weekend, hmmmmm?” Umbridge said sweetly, but her beady eyes watched him closely. 

“I did my duty watch on Sunday evening, outside of that on weekends I prefer to stay in my own quarters,” Severus said coolly. 

“Ohhh? I hear you went outside of Hogwarts?” Umbridge quipped. 

Severus turned his gaze on the woman, “what I do in my free time Dolores, has nothing to do with you,” his voice was cold. 

“We will see about that,” Delores gave a smile, “hmp, hmp.”

“And what does that mean?” Severus asked. 

“Just that as students are required to sign in and out of Hogwarts when leaving, so should staff. It is purely for safety of course, we must be aware of where facility are at all times,” Umbridge giggled at the end, grating on Severus’s ears. 

Severus turned back to his breakfast but he was no longer hungry. He pondered the thought of asking his Lord for a favour in getting rid of the pest the pink toad was. 

Umbridge kept prattling on about how she was talking to the minister about bringing in changes for the school that would only benefit the school and the students. 

He was about to get up and leave when the morning owl orders arrived. His usual Prophet delivery came along with his potion correspondence. 

Suddenly a murmuring broke out among the students, wondering what was in the papers this time, Severus snatched his paper up and quickly browsed the headline. But nothing that should have been causing this kind of stir. But students were bunching up in groups all heading from one paper that was being read by a student. 

Getting up, Severus moved down to the Slytherin table. Going straight to Draco who was at the centre of such attention. 

“What is the meaning of this disruption?” he asked. 

Students parted quickly and sat back down 

“Professor,” Draco handed over the paper and Severus cocked his eyebrow as he caught it was the Quibbler. 

“I didn’t think you read such rubbish Mr Malfoy,” Severus flicked the paper open and immediately understood the attention the usually ignored paper caused. 

RITA SKEETER A LIAR AND A FRAUD!

His eyes roamed the article quickly, it outed Skeeter as an illegal animagus as a better. A photo of a beetle in a jar in the middle of the page. 

The article outlined the illegal uses that Skeeter went to getting private information for her articles. 

It would have all just been hearsay of course except the article included undeniable proof of Skeeter transforming from said beetle to her human form in another photo. 

He handed the paper back to Draco and his eyes scanned the room, taking in note of how people were acting when his eyes fell on Granger. The young witch sat with an awfully smug look on her face as others read around her. He knew where the information had come from. Severus didn’t know how Granger knew or how she got the evidence, but even he had to admit this was rather poetic. 

Skeeter had to be scrambling right now, trying to work out what to do. His eyes flickered to Umbridge who had stormed to the Hufflepuff tables and snatched up a paper from some poor student and was reading it. Her face twisted in a look between disgust and joy, Skeeter's hole had been dug, she would have clawed her way back out and in the meantime left Mr Potter alone. 

All they had to do now was take care of the pink toad. 

-

Harry laughed, actually laughed as he read a copy of the Quibbler Dobby brought him. 

He knew Hermione had to have done this. Hermione and Luna, that small feeling of joy built knowing his friends had done this for him. 

Skeeter was in trouble and Harry laughed again, the trouble that woman had caused him throughout the Tri-Wizard tournament was huge. Now she was about to get the same back. 

-

Tuesday morning brought even more glee to Harry as he read the Prophet. 

RITA SKEETER ARRESTED 

Ms Rita Skeeter, tabloid writer was arrested yesterday afternoon after damning evidence was exposed in the Quibbler. It has been confirmed that Ms Skeeter is indeed an unregistered animagus and is being contained in the cells of the Ministry awaiting her trial. 

Harry cackled happily, the woman was facing her dues. He pulled a blank piece of parchment to him and began to write. 

Hey Hermione, 

I want to thank you for what you did. I just want you to know that I am safe and happy, but thank you. 

Harry paused; he didn't know what else to write, but he really did want to thank his friend. He dried the ink and called for Dobby. 

“Can you put this in Hermione’s bed please, under the covers, I only want her to find it,” Harry asked. 

“Yes Master Harry,” Dobby popped out and was back in moments, before bringing Harry his morning meal. 

Guilt filled Harry as he ate, he had thanked Hermione, but not Snape. The man was doing more for him than anyone else and he didn’t have to. 

Finishing the small but delicious meal he pulled the book to him and opened it. 

Thank you for the meals they are very nice. 

Once again Harry found himself unsure what to say as he stared at his scrawl. When words elegant and uniform appeared under. 

You are welcome Mr Potter. I do hope you have been following my schedule of five meals a day.

I am, and taking the potions as well. 

Harry chewed his bottom lip. 

Sir, did you see the articles on Skeeter?

I have read them both.

Is it wrong that I am happy she has been outed?

No Mr Potter, I am very much aware that she made your life troublesome last year during the tournament. 

Harry snorted troublesome, yeah you could say that. 

-

Severus sat at his desk in his classroom, the first class of the day to start in ten minutes. Mr Potter hadn’t written again, he was about to close the diary, thinking it was a good start at least the teenager had initiated contact. 

When Potter’s scrawl was even worse than ever and almost illegible to read, telling Severus this was something that aggravated Potter’s emotions somehow. 

Is it wrong that I don’t miss my relatives or I am not sad that they are gone?

Ah, right to the point, Severus thought, taking a moment to think of an appropriate reply, Severus was surprised by the question so soon, but at the same time, it had to be something that was playing on the teens mind. 

No Mr Potter. They abused you. It is not repugnant or a stain on your character to be pleased that your abusers now can no longer hurt you. 

-

Harry stared at the sentence, so simple and yet wasn’t at the same time. 

I’m guessing repugnant means nasty?

Yes Mr Potter repugnant means nasty or disgusting, hideous, offensive, I do try to use words more sophisticated than nasty. 

Harry laughed, he could almost hear the repugnancy - ah was that word? He thought, but shrugged, in Snape’s voice.  

It is not your fault, what they did to you. They were the adults, they were the abusers, none of anything that happened in that house was your fault. Please know that Mr Potter, everything that happened to them, accident or not if Ms Skeeters idiotic article is to be believed, none of it was your fault. 

-

Harry stared at those words, tears running down his face, it wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t his fault. 

Thank you

He closed the diary, he had enough right then, instead he grabbed his map of the tunnels of the school he made and decided he was going out, he was going to explore some tunnels he hadn’t yet. 

-

Severus closed his diary, there had been tear stains on the page. He placed it away from the curious eyes of his students and opened the door, the students filing in. 

-

 Ron was scoffing his lunch down, when Hermione came tearing in, her eyes wild. 

“Ron come with me,” Hermione hissed. 

“Mione I'm eating,” Ron protested. 

“RONALD!” Hermione snapped. 

“Fine,” Ron stood, annoyed but followed Hermione, out of the Great Hall. 

“Okay what is it?” Ron huffed. 

“Harry,” Hermione was smiling, she shoved the small piece of parchment at Ron. 

Ron took it and recognised Harry’s writing. “He wrote to you?” he said happy, “why didn’t he write to me?” he asked frowning after a moment. 

Hermione scuffed Ron over his ear, “don’t be stupid, he is okay, that’s the main thing he is okay.” 

“Yeah well don’t mean anything,” Ron muttered. 

“Yes it does, it proves Harry is in the school, thai wasn’t delivered by an owl, it was in my bed, Ron he is still in the school. You were right he is in the Chamber of Secrets,” Hermione smiled from ear to ear.  

Ron perked up slightly, before deflating, “yeah but we can’t get into it, no one can. We can even write back to him.”

Hermione nodded, “I will think of something.” 

-

Severus sat at the teachers table watching the Golden Trio pair walk back in, he had seen Granger drag the Weasley boy from the hall, and a happy bounce in the girls step hadn’t been seen in the weeks since Potter had gone into hiding. He had noticed, others surely had as well. 

-

-

Lucius knelt before his Lord waiting. 

“Sit next to me Lucius,” Voldemort said smoothly as he laid the Prophet beside the Quibbler. 

When Wormtail had brought the Quibbler to him yesterday he had been outraged, until he read the front line, it was all that saved the whimpering failure of a wizard from a round of crucio.  

“Thank you My Lord,” Lucius sat and he saw the papers. Voldemort's long fingers tapping on them. 

“This Skeeter, she has been a thorn in your side no?” Voldemort asked. 

“After your - disappearance, Skeeter indeed ran an article on my family, claiming us as death eaters, along with others of our ranks, some incorrect. I of course sent my lawyers after her, cease and desist.” Lucius stated. 

“Of course,” Voldemort hissed. “I want you to ensure that Skeeter gets her trial date sooner than later.”

“May I ask why My Lord?” Lucius asked. 

“This is a juicy bit of gossip is it not?” Voldemort grinned. 

Lucius nodded. 

“I want everyone’s attention on the trial. You sit on the Wizengmont, I want it loud, I want everyone to be watching, waiting, hanging on every motion,” Voldemort declared. 

“You want a distraction,” Lucius stated. 

“I do indeed,” Voldemort nodded. 

“I shall make sure it is a circus then My Lord,” Lucius stated. 

“Good, you may go,” Voldemort dismissed Lucius and called on some of his other followers, it was time to start making his moves. 

-

Harry groaned as he slumped into the couch, he had been tired and filthy from his explorations. He had a bath and was relaxing for a moment, when he looked at the diary. He opened it and reread the short conversation from that morning. 

He pulled over his Marauder's Map and flicked through the pages, finding Snape in his personal rooms. The rest of the school was at dinner in the Great Hall. 

Why haven't you told Dumbledore I am down here?

-

Severus looked up as the diary glowed a soft blue, he decided to skip dinner and stay in his quarters to work more on his Lord’s potion. He was half way through breaking it down, already finding several mistakes he had to work out how to undo the damage done. 

Because I do not believe that is what you need right now, nor would it serve any purpose in helping you. Though Professor McGongall is aware of your current location. I informed her as she is your technical legal guardian of your whereabouts, and she was also with me the morning that your elf summoned me to your side.   

What made you think I was down here? 

Your friends. I caught Mr Weasley and Ms Granger in the girls bathroom. I overheard them talking about the chamber and they thought you were down there. 

You confirmed it when you stole items from the hospital wing and my store cupboard. There are not many places a student can hide in Hogwarts where ghosts and the portraits can’t find you. 

Harry sat back, Ron and Hermione had been trying to find him as well. Another line appeared. 

Ms Granger has been particularly annoying with asking Professor McGonagall everyday if there is any more news on you, if you had been found.

Harry smiled, Hermione did still care. He was happy he had written to her, maybe he could try and reach out, find a way to chat with her, and have a friend again. 

Goodnight Professor

Goodnight Mr Potter. 

-

Hey everyone. I have two ideas about where this is going and I am trying to work out which one I prefer. So I am finding myself writing both ideas out. It may be a few extra weeks before the next chapter as I sort this out. But another chapter down. 

I also hope that it is clear. Writing like this is Harry  and the underline of course is Severus writing. 

I know the story line is a little slow atm. But with these ideas, it should start progressing a bit quicker, depending on what line I go down. 

BUt always drop a kudos if you havent so far and if you are feeling generous drop a comment. Until next chapter have a good time. 

Chapter Text

AN: So I am going to start putting dates in mostly so I remember where I am up to on time line. Harry has been in the Chamber for almost a month now. 

(16th Oct)

Lucius stood listening to the annoyed and angry tones of those around him. The courtroom was full of very irritated individuals. His Lord had asked him to make Rita’s court case and circus, and so he had. 

For two weeks he spent the time dropping suggestions to one person, planting ideas in others by making passing remarks. Reminding Lords about articles that had revealed family shames, rumors and truths the unregistered animagus had no rights to know. 

He had ensured that when this trial finally went to vote it would not go in Skeeters way. Of course it was all the ministry was talking about currently and therefore the papers were full of nothing but people dismantling Skeeter’s articles. All eyes were on this trial as the British public gossiped about the shamed witch. 

Two loud blasts signalled the start of the trial and Lucius took his seat. The Wizengmont, made up of Lord and Ladies that sat at the heads of their houses, took up the main area of the terraced seats. The Council of Magical Law, sat to the side, but every eye was on Skeeter as she was escorted in between two Aurors, magical chains at her wrists stopped her from transforming and getting away. 

Lucius took pleasure in the usually gaudy dressed woman, who was now in prisoner garb of dull grey stripes, her blonde hair limp and unstyled with no makeup. It made Skeeter look older than her years as she was escorted to the prisoner's seat, the chains rattling on the arms as she sat, head bowed. 

The Warlock, set off two more blasts from his wand, “today we will start the proceedings of the trial of one, Rita Skeeter. Miss Skeeter, is on trial for illegal animagus status, non compliance of registration with the ministry.

As well as illegal acquisition of information of sources from the published forum with the Daily Prophet, with the said usage of an illegal animagus status.”

The warlock peered down at the witch, “how do you plead?”

“Where is my Lawyer?” Skeeter asked, looking around for the man. 

“The Daily Prophet fired you this morning and have since renounced every single article you have ever written, due to this you do not have coverage of a lawyer from your previous employer,” the Warlock stated. 

A murmur went through the Council of Magical Law. 

“Excuse me Warlock,” Amelia Bones, head of the Magical Law Department, stood. “It is by our own Laws that Miss Skeeter has the right of legal representation, if she was unaware her lawyer was removed from her service, she is to be given time to retain the services of a new legal representation, or has the time to choose to self-represent.” 

“You are correct Ms Bones,” the Warlock nodded. “Miss Skeeter you have a week to find yourself Legal Representation. Next Tuesday if you have not obtained legal help, you will be self-represented, see the prisoner back to her cell, this court is adjourned." Two blasts signalled the end of the rather short session. 

Skeeter was led out as the members of both councils stood. 

Lord Blackwood, who was seated next to Luicus snorted, “this is a farce. Surely we should have just voted today, get this all over and done with.”

“Ms Skeeter is permitted by our laws to have counsel,” Lucius replied smoothly. 

Blackwood eyed Lucius like he was trying to work something out, “indeed,” he finally said. 

“Do forgive me, but I told Lady Malfoy I would join her for luncheon if this trial didn’t run over,” Lucius nodded to Blackwood and left heading for the floos, exclusive for the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengmont usage. 

-

Lucius relaxed as he stepped into his home, shrugging off his heavy Wizengmont robes of the hideous plum coloured robes, and hanging them up for the elf to deal with. He hadn’t been completely untruthful to Blackwood, Lucius did hope to be home in time to see Healer Dolohov. 

“--I know what you are saying Lady Malfoy, but it would be good to learn more details about this patient, you have told me nothing outside they are a male,” Healer Dolohov protested slightly. 

“And I have told you, we are giving you the information we can,” Narcissa said back firmly. 

Lucius moved into the room, Lady Dolohov stood looking frustrated, “Healer Dolohov, we shall inform you on more information as we get it, but for now the food has been of great assistance.” 

Healer Dolohov sighed, “very well,” she placed down a parchment sheet. “I have adjusted the size of the meals and added a few new variations. Do tell the patient that it is not unusual to not be able to finish everything. They may be able to eat everything on their first meal and only half the second. This is fine, tell them to not force themselves to finish what is left, a few mouthfuls wasted is better than them vomiting, it will only set them back.” 

“Thank you Healer, I will make sure the message is passed on,” Narcissa nodded. 

Lucius saw Healer Dolohov to the floo’s as Narcissa called Moppy to start the next week of meals for Mr Potter. 

“You are back earlier than I expected,” Narcissa stated as she stood and greeted her husband with a kiss. 

Lucius gave noncommittal sound as he sat, legs crossed, “the Prophet dropped Skeeter the moment they were told they were getting a lawsuit placed against them. So the witch is having to find new legal representation. The trial will be next week,” Lucius inspected his nails, “have you been talking with your ladies?”

“Of course, Lady Bulstrode is such a gossip, she will have tongues wagging all over London by tomorrow,” Narcissa smirked. 

Lucius nodded his head, he was most certainly giving his Lord the circus he wanted. 

“Moppy informed me Severus’s spell has finally run its course, do inform our friend please,” Narcissa added like it was a mere after thought. 

“I shall drop the basket off tonight,” Lucius nodded. 

-

“It doesn't make sense Lucius,” Severus stated as he held a glass of wine. “I have run over the potion several times now. I have countered the effects of the Nagini’s venom, which should reverse the adverse looks that have been gained. But something is still missing, I have interrogated the rat to make sure he didn’t contaminate anything, but something is missing,” Severus took an annoyed mouthful of the rather delicious wine Lucius had brought over with him. 

Suddenly the orb beside Severus buzzed. 

“Your supply cupboard?” Lucius queried. 

Severus answered by tapping the orb with his wand, both men watching as Harry slipped out of the small tunnel and swapped the old basket with the new one Severus placed there about twenty minutes earlier.

“Mr Potter is indeed looking much healthier,” Lucius stated as he watched the teen slip back into the tunnel and pull the grate back into place. 

Severus tapped the orb and shut it down. “He is slowly putting on needed weight, it will take some time before he is back to a proper healthy weight, but clear improvements have been achieved.” 

“Have you been using the communication diaries? Outside of food delivery of course” Lucius queried. 

“Yes, nothing of note has been spoken of. Mr Potter still hasn’t told me about his side of the abuse and is still hiding some of his injuries. But he is writing sometimes just asking how my day was. I believe he may be lonely on his own even with a house elf. But the safety of his sanctuary is still too strong a draw for him to leave it longer than he feels comfortable to do so.”

Lucius nodded, “the healer said they have increased the portion sizes do tell Mr Potter he may not finish every meal. The healer said it would be harmful if he tries to over eat and vomit. He may finish a whole meal or two easily and the next struggle to eat.”

“I shall inform him,” Severus took another sip, thinking of the teen deep down under Hogwarts. 

“Draco has been writing complaining of Umbridge, saying she is a menace,” Lucius asked, knowing his son was a bit of an exaggerator. 

Letting out an annoyed grunt, Severus placed his glass down, “your son is correct. The woman is a downright pain in my arse.”

Lucius cocked an eyebrow at that, “surely she can’t be that bad, corporal punishment is no longer allowed in the school.”

“Educational Decrees,” Severus snapped dryly, “seriously Lucius you are on the board of governors how in Merlin’s saggy balls did you let them be approved?”

“We didn’t, it’s coming straight from Fudge,” Lucius answered. 

“Well do something about it, that pink toad will be running Hogwarts before we know it,” Severus grumbled. 

“Surely the new rules aren’t that bad,” Lucius was beginning to wonder. If his son complained he would merely nod, but Severus complained like this….. well he did wonder what was happening at the school. 

Severus gave Lucius a look of sheer annoyance, “Educational Degree number nine. No student may have sweets acquired from an unauthorised supplier.”

Educational Degree number one, any student found with a spell check quill will receive disciplinary action.”

Severus watched disbelief flicker through Lucius. “Oh you will like this one,” he added sarcastically. Educational Degree number fourteen, all floos, even private teachers will be monitored for safety sake. Then Educational Degree fifteen all faculty must sign in and out with regards to where they are going if leaving the school.” Severus let out a noise of disgust. “They haven’t come in yet, just waiting for approval by Fudge it seems.”

Lucius’s lips pressed down into a thin line, “that we cannot have.”

“Really?” Severus asked sarcastically as he picked up his glass and drained it. 

“I shall tell Draco to write another letter telling me exactly what Umbridge is doing. Also to inform other students to write complaints to their parents. I shall have parents write to the board in complaint and then with enough parent annoyance we can drag Umbridge and Fudge before us. Give me a week Severus,” Lucius was pleased at being able to annoy Fudge some more, it was almost a sport to him. 

“Ah whilst on the topic of annoyances, your guests spell has run its course,” Lucius put down his empty glass. 

“Then I shall have to visit for the father then,” Severus replied smoothly, “tomorrow before we start being monitored.”

“How long are you intending for me to house them?” Lucius asked. 

“Until all three have suffered, they will remember and feel every cruel touch they laid on Mr Potter.”

Lucius shrugged, he didn't really care as long as when they died their bodies were banished so they didn’t stink up his dungeons. He watched as Severus’s eyes swiveled back to the large pile of books and parchment, “what are your thoughts?” 

“The only thing I cannot work out, that doesn't fit is Mr Potter, they used his blood, but it doesn't make sense blood of the enemy. It should be the blood of a magical family member. The bones of the father that I can understand, but not Potter,” Severus muttered. 

“Lucius, do you know if Potters are in any way related to our Lord?” Severus queried after a moment.  

“Recent family, no they are not related, as for further back unsure. Narcissa is good at family history. I shall ask her to have a look. It couldn’t be too distant otherwise the blood relation will not be there and be non effective.”

The pair spoke for some time into the night, before Lucius excused himself and went home. Leaving Severus to ponder, this coming week should be interesting. 

-

(Wed 17th Oct)

Harry took his breakfast from Dobby, he didn’t quite understand how pancakes were a healthy breakfast, but then they did have a slightly different taste to what was served upstairs, so he assumed they were made a different way. They were delicious with the cream and mixed berries, but he was feeling very full by the time he finished them. He had noticed last night that the meals were slightly larger. 

His diary glowed blue and he grinned, pulling it to him. 

Good morning Mr Potter

Good morning Professor  Harry watched as Snape’s elegant script appeared. 

I forgot to inform you last night Mr Potter that the meals are slightly larger. You may not be able to finish them all. This is to get your stomach used to bigger meals and slowly get you back to three solid meals a day. Please do not force yourself to eat everything, eat to full but not overfill. Vomiting now will just set you back, I would rather half a meal wasted than you being sick. I do apologise. I should have told you this last night.

Harry’s stomach did indeed feel slightly to full. I may have overeaten on breakfast sir. 

Then don’t push your next meal. Like I already stated. I would rather you waste half than set you back. 

Thank you. 

Good day Mr Potter. 

Harry closed the book and left Dobby to clean up, anytime he went to help the elf would protest and look like Harry was declaring him useless. If anything the elf was happier when he was quite messy and let Dobby clean up behind him. 

His stomach protested at how full it was as he walked, it almost felt like he was going to start cramping, he would just have to only have a small part of the next meal, in fact, “Dobby if there are some very light meals in the basket could you bring that one to me next please, I overate at breakfast.”

“Of course Master Harry,” Dobby squeaked happily as he was just about polishing the table clean. 

Feeling like strenuous activity would absolutely make him ill, Harry moved to the library. He had started making his own spell book, two in fact. As he was reading through Slazar’s library he was finding more and more spells he really wanted to learn or was currently learning, but he couldn’t remember them all at the pace he was reading. Hermione would be so proud and Ron absolutely disgusted at how much of a book worm he had become. The second book was english or latin spells he came across, compiling a whole range of spells into a simple book for him to go through. 

There was a third book he was working on as well, he had found a book in pastletongue explaining how magic passed down through blood lines. It was pureblood rhetoric mostly but he thought some parts Hermione might find interesting so he found himself transcribing it into English. 

He sat down as a flash of loneliness went through him, whilst he enjoyed Snape’s conversations, not that they had many really. And he did enjoy his reading and writing his own spell books out, he was lonely. He felt safe, he had a home and now that the fear of being found was slowly fading, the fear of being forced back to his family was gone with their death, he was much calmer. But with the loss of fear he was now feeling isolated more than ever, feeling lonely, he missed his friends. 

Harry sighed, he was safe down here and he didn’t want to return, but it sure would be nice to see Hermione and Ron again. 

-

It was late at night, Hermione tossed and turned in her bed unable to sleep, for two weeks she had been thinking about how to contact Harry. Using her Prefect duties as a way to explore the school at night, but nothing. No sign of Harry anywhere. Her mind turned back to the letter, it hadn’t been delivered by owl, her mind spun and ideas came and went, when a faint pomade her frown. She sat up and her dirty laundry at the end of her bed was missing. The elves had taken her clothes, she laid back down when she sat back up again fast. The elves! Dobby! Hermione grinned of course it was the only way Harry would be able to survive in the Chamber of Secrets, Dobby was helping him. 

Grabbing parchment Hermione began to write out a letter, done she spelled it dry. “Dobby?” she called softly, “Dobby it’s Hermione, can you come to me?” 

There was nothing, wondering if she got it wrong, she placed the letter on the bedside table and laid back down, mind twirling again, maybe she had it wrong.

-

Dobby sat listening to Ms Granger calling him, but he ignored it, he looked over at his young master, who was finally sleeping soundly. Nightmares had made his master twitch and cry in his sleep, only stopping when Dobby put soft music on in the room, that helped sooth his Master’s bad dreams. He wasn’t going to wake his master, not even for his friends, his master needed the sleep more. 

Dobby laid back down, going back to a light sleep, one ear rotated towards his master, just in case the nightmares came back. 

-

Harry was tired when he woke up the next morning, so very tired. He barely managed a few bites of the food before pushing it away, he felt sick in the stomach and he didn’t feel like he could stomach the nutritional potion. 

Instead he pulled the diary closer to him. 

Morning Professor

Harry pushed the diary away not expecting a reply so soon, he had ‘slept’ later and it was already class time. 

Good morning Mr Potter. 

Oh sorry sir, I know you're in classes. 

Severus looked up at his class of students all writing, before looking back at the diary. 

Theory class today, is there something you are in need of?

My stomach hurts and I can barely eat, 

Severus waited as there was clearly more to this than just complaints, if it was Draco he would believe it was just teenage whining, but not Potter. 

Is there something I can take to settle my stomach? 

Is there a reason why you are feeling unwell? Do you have a fever? Any vomiting? Pain in the stomach area that is not just cramping sensation?  

Harry felt funny, a feeling of warmth Snape was concerned and a part of him liked it, another part was still wary, unsure how to accept concern. 

I had a nightmare, I don’t want to talk about it. 

Severus understood Potter's nightmares would be horrific. 

There will be several batches of stomach reliever in the supply cupboard during the lunch break Mr Potter. One just before any meal where you feel like you can’t eat. Would you like some dreamless sleeps? I do warn you they can become addictive, but one or two a week is acceptable. Because of their nature I will not be giving you a full batch at once. But I can put two vials in the food basket for the nights you really need it. 

Thank you Professor. 

Severus closed his book and he smirked, change of schedule he thought, his seventh year NEWT students Ravenclaw where next, they would be brewing him Stomach Relievers, there was one student that had potential to be a Potion Master. If the potion was brewed to perfection he would use that. If not he would quickly raid Poppy’s supply and replace them tonight when he had time to brew himself. 

-

-

The nightmares still plaguing him, Harry just sat listlessly on his couch, staring at the diary, Snape had been helping him so much, he asked and it was given. He hoped the man didn’t feel like he was being taken advantage of. Tears ran down his cheeks, he couldn’t lose what he was getting in Snape, he stood and moved to the potions lab. Maybe if he gave something to Snape as thanks, he personally had nothing to offer, but the laboratory was full of things that he just couldn’t use. 

Harry grabbed the nearest cauldron and pulled it to him, before plucking a few random things from the wall and the instrument storage area. The cauldron alone was very heavy, so casting a featherlight charm on it, Harry moved back to the living room and waited, watching the map, for when the classes ended and everyone went to lunch. 

-

Snape placed the box full of stomach relievers in the supply cupboard. He had praised the student for good work, saying it was actually worth using, of course ridiculing the rest of the class, he couldn’t be seen as being too nice after all. 

Mr Potter potions are ready for you to collect. 

He closed the diary and locked it into his drawer, before heading off to lunch. He had barely gotten down the hallway when the orb buzzed in his pocket. Potter had to have been waiting under the supply cupboard. He didn’t check it, just kept walking, scolding some students for tardiness as he went. 

-

Stomach settled, after swallowing the potion, Harry actually found himself hungry as he took the nutritional potion and he ate, polishing off the whole meal, but then of course found himself bloated. He sighed as he just laid down, it seemed today was not a good day for him. 

“Master Harry?” Dobby came over seeing Harry was not as upset as he had been earlier. 

“Yes Dobby?” Harry asked. 

“Ms Granger she called last night, has a letter for you, do you want me to collect it?” Dobby asked. 

Harry sat up, his stomach protested, “Hermione wrote?” 

Dobby nodded. 

“Is the letter still there?” Harry queried. 

“I can go see, the girls room is empty,” Dobby stated. 

“Please,” Harry watched as Dobby popped out and was back in moments. 

Harry opened the letter and greedily read the words. Hermione was just wanting to know if he was actually safe, how he was. But then went into what was happening in the school. How Ron was, everyone was worried about him, but the rumors were slowing. And yes she had done Skeeter for him, she didn’t want the woman dragging his name into the mud. 

Harry smiled as he put the letter down and he looked at the diary and remembered he had to tell Snape that there was something in the supply storeroom for him. 

His worries from his nightmares felt lifted as he wrote to Snape, before picking up Hermione’s letter again and reading it over and over again. It helped lift the feeling of loneliness slightly.

-

“Master Harry,” Dobby shook Harry, he had fallen asleep on the couch. 

“Dobby?” Harry sat up, Hermione’s letter falling off his chest to the floor. 

“It’s time for your next meal,” Dobby insisted, but Harry still felt stuffed. 

“I will have dinner Dobby, I over ate at lunch,” Harry groaned as he sat up. He rubbed his face, “how long have I been asleep for?”

“Nearly three hours,” Dobby answered. 

He had needed it, Harry stretched slightly, feeling better with his nap, when he noticed the diary pulsing soft blue glow. 

I would like to thank you for the gifts Mr Potter. Though I would like you to know that whilst they are highly appreciated and will be of benefit to my brewing, I do not expect gifts in return for my assistance. 

Harry relaxed, as he picked up a self inking quill. 

I don’t want to be a burden and I want you to know I am thankful of your help –  assistance. 

There was no reply straight away, which was expected, so Harry decided he had moped enough that day and went to the library to study for a little bit. 

-

Classes done for the day, Severus swept into his personal rooms, he only had a short window to get to Malfoy Manor, place the curse and get back to Hogwarts in time for dinner. 

He placed the rather extravagant gift that Potter had left him in the supply cupboard, on his dining table. The copper cauldron was a very pricey item and he couldn’t believe Potter had just given it to him like it was nothing. But he did wonder if Potter knew what he had given him. 

He pulled out the diary and wrote 

I would like to thank you for the gifts Mr Potter. Though I would like you to know that whilst they are highly appreciated and will be of benefit to my brewing, I do not expect gifts in return for my assistance. 

He didn’t want Potter to feel like he owed him anything, before he closed the diary and placed it to the side. He quickly stripped off his teachers robes and pulled on more casual robes, black of course and disappeared through the floo to Malfoy Manor. 

-

The three muggles all flinched when he walked in Dudley even whimpered, where he was curled up in the corner of his cell, sobbing softly. The brat couldn’t even meet his eyes as he stalked to the cell door, staring at the floor as pathetic whimpers fell from his lips. The two weeks had broken the teen, Severus could see it in Dudley’s eyes. The same diet they had put Potter, clearly was not enough and the brat had lost considerable weight, skin hung slightly loose, but he was a long way off before he reached Potter’s condition. 

“I’m sorry,” Dudley whimpered. 

“Now you understand a fraction of what Mr Potter went through,” Severus said coldly. 

“Please, make it stop, I’m sorry, so sorry,” Dudley began to cry, whimpering like a startled rabbit. 

“Mr Potter begged you to stop, begged you to not hurt him and yet you gave him no mercy,” Severus sneered as the whimpers picked up. “But I will give you mercy, today I shall leave you alone,” Severus turned away from Dudley and moved to Vernon's cage.  

Petunia was crying, her body frailer than before, someone had given her what looked like a sack to wear, whilst the two males were still naked. “Please Severus, please no more. My son can’t take it anymore. Isn’t this enough?” Petunia's eyes also showed fear and horror, listening to her son scream and beg, listening as he cried through bones breaking and resetting. But then the real screams of pain, cries for it to all stop when the curse showed what it was like to be raped by his own self, Petunia had curled up in her cell hands over her ears as she cried. 

“Your son’s justice has run its course,” Severus said smoothly, “your husband is next.” 

“NOOOOOOO,” Petunia and Vernon screamed, as Severus ignored them and placed the curse on Vernon. 

“I assume it will be more than two weeks of suffering for you. You have years of torment to live through, but don’t worry your mind like your sons will not be allowed to shut down,” Severus watched as the muggle jerked like he had been cuffed over the back of his head. 

Terrified eyes met his, “st-stop thi-s - at - at - on-ce,” Vernon stuttered as he felt another blow over his head. It had been a favorite pastime of his to smack the boy over his head when he was still very young. 

“No, you will suffer,” Severus turned and left, shutting the door and closing off the angry roar of Vernon as he was shoved face first into the wall of the cell. 

-

Harry was frantic, his heart beating too fast as he paced. It was well and truly after dinner, his eyes glancing over the last sentence he had written.

I don’t want to be a burden and I want you to know I am thankful of your help –  assistance. 

Snape wasn’t answering him, he had never gone this long without answering. He stood and began to pace, his hands wringing against each other. He had tried to distract himself but nothing worked. He was a burden, he had to be, why else wasn’t Snape answering him. A whine left his throat, he turned on his heel and went back across the room. His dinner churned in his stomach, Dobby had to coax him to eat in the first place. 

He was a burden, he was useless, he was nothing, his nightmares the night before came back, his family's mocking tones echoing. He was almost putting himself into a panic attack when Dobby exclaimed. 

“Master Harry, Professor Snape has written back.” 

Harry all but dove onto the book. 

Better use of your words there Mr Potter.

Harry stared at the simple sentence and he sagged, he collapsed onto the floor, like his legs just didn’t want to support him anymore. 

You are no burden. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gifts as well. 

Harry’s anxiety lessened even more at those words as he grabbed his quill. 

Can you call them gifts when I just picked them from the rooms down here? I didn’t buy them? But I can’t use them, I wasn’t sure they are still good either with how old they would be, I can get something else if you prefer..

Mr Potter you're rambling. 

Severus sat back, amused as the scrawl stopped suddenly, how did one ramble whilst even writing, he could just about feel the nervous energy oozing from Potter’s words.

Do you understand what you have gifted me?” 

I don’t know, a cauldron, some kind of stirring rod that looked kind of pretty and a mortar and pestle that I thought looked nice to. 

Harry sat back still nervous. 

Mr Potter you have given me some rather expensive items, but the price isn’t what makes them valuable, it's what I can make with them. 

The cauldron is copper, a very expensive cauldron to buy. And yes whilst it is still old it is in pristine condition. 

The ‘kind of pretty’ stirring rod is crystal. Crystal stirring rods are excellent for healing potions; it helps amplify their effectiveness. 

The ‘looked nice’ mortar and pestle are of granite, in specific it is Jinan Black Pearl Granite, from China. A very strong and resistant in wear and abrasions to the stone. 

Harry stared at the words trying to work out if Snape was insulting him with the inverted commas around his quoted words or if he was getting a lecture. 

So you like them? 

Severus sighed where he sat at his table, Yes Mr Potter I like them. Oh how he would love to explore Salazar Slytherin’s laboratory, what he could find down there, the items that the man had. But he wouldn’t ask, he didn’t want to intrude on Mr Potter’s personal space. 

Harry looked over at the laboratory door, he chewed on his bottom lip, do you want to see the lab? Oh how he wanted to take those words back the moment he wrote them. 

As much as exploring and experiencing Slazar Slytherin’s Personal Laboratory myself, would be an experience of incomprehensible pleasure, no. I do thank you for the offer, but I will not invade your personal space Mr Potter, not unless absolute dire need is there, like last time, where I shall see what is problematic and then take my leave. 

Harry sagged with relief, whilst he wasn’t hundred percent sure what incomprehensible meant, he understood the meaning. 

Thank you. Harry simply wrote, unsure what else to write. 

You’re welcome Mr Potter, goodnight. 

Goodnight Sir

Severus sat back as he closed the diary, he groaned as he sagged into his chair. He was tired, he was held up coming back from dinner, several of his Slytherin students coming to him, Draco had been telling people, clearly on instruction by his father, to write to their parents and complain about Umbridge. They were asking him if they should, of course he didn’t tell them explicitly to make complaints, but his students understood, hopefully some of them would talk to other houses and get all the pureblood students at least complaining, if not some of the half-bloods. 

He scrubbed his face, he should be working on his Lord’s potion, but instead he got up and had a long hot shower before collapsing into bed, he just wanted one full night worth of sleep, surely that wasn’t too much to ask for. 

-

OKAY - so I have decided on the path I am going to go on. Plot line is reworked out and dot pointed down for at least 2-4 chapters. But as always I do hope you enjoyed. 

This chapter I wanted Harry feelings to be all over the place. From the miniscule amount of research I done, when people who have been traumatised start feeling comfortable, the emotions of everything start becoming more to forefront of their mind. So Harry is lonely, scared of losing his help, but also scared to ask for to much. Happy to be talking to Hermione (sort of talking) but also worried. 

Like I said, a confusing mix of emotions. 

I also don't want Harry just suddenly trusting anyone really, he was hurt and badly. So sorry if it feels a little strung out. 

Anyway I hope you enjoyed, next chapter will hopefully be up for christmas, but I am also have quite a heavy work schedule, so the next chapter might happen in my break between xmas and new years. 

So until then have a wonderful rest of your year :)