Chapter One
Harry Potter was lying in his bed at Number 4 Privet Drive staring at the ceiling. His room was a dull grey but Harry had put up some of his school memorabilia to liven it up a little. It still had Dudley's old, broken toys in it but Harry didn't mind. He was still in pain after his Uncle Vernon had a 'chat' with him. Ever since Harry was three years old, his uncle had beaten him at regular intervals.
Flashback
"Hurry up with my coffee boy!" Vernon Dursley spat at his young nephew. Harry was struggling not to spill it but he did anyways when Dudley Dursley stuck his foot out to trip him. Harry started to cry when the scalding hot coffee spilt all over his arms and hands. Dudley was laughing at him. "Get up and clean up this mess now boy!" Vernon had shouted. Harry couldn't move, his arms were so sore. That was when it happened. "Don't you dare cry boy!" Vernon spat at Harry while kicking him in the ribs twice hearing a crack each time. Vernon Dursley then threw Harry into his cupboard under the stairs. "That'll teach you not to cry, boy." Vernon had snarled at him.
End of Flashback
Harry sat completely still not wanting his bones to scream out in the agony that accompanied his every move. He would be turning sixteen in an hour. Harry cautiously put his hand on his stomach and diagnosed what was broken this time. 'Three ribs.' He made a mental note to himself. He reached for his glasses on the battered nightstand and opened the window for Hedwig to come in from her nightly hunt. She came in a short while later but Harry did not notice. Harry Potter was unconscious.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts-
"Albus, is there a reason you called me here?" Severus Snape asked the headmaster one afternoon. Albus looked at him with an air of sadness about him. "Something is wrong with Harry at his place of residence. I have been checking the wards and there is something wrong with them. They seem to be getting weaker." Professor Dumbledore explained. "I fail to see where this involves me, Albus." Professor Snape snarled. "You know very well why this concerns you, Severus." Dumbledore said. "I want you to go check on him tomorrow afternoon to make sure he is safe." Dumbledore added. "Why do I have to check after the brat, Albus? Why couldn't you or Minerva or-." Snape was cut off with Dumbledore's hand in front of him. "You know why you must go, my boy. That is all." Professor Dumbledore finished. Professor Snape left the office in a fury, robes billowing behind him.
Back at Number 4 the next morning-
"BOY! Come downstairs and cook us some breakfast!" Uncle Vernon shouted to Harry. Harry sat up in bed and immediately regretted his choice to do so because his body screeched in pain. 'Good thing I have some healing potion.' Harry thought to himself as he filled a small tube with the substance and gulped it down. He had made it to taste like chocolate. The pain in his body subsided a little but the marks were still there. He put his glasses on and found that his vision was blurry. He took his glasses off and walked downstairs. "It's about time boy, we're hungry. Cook us some bacon, eggs, and sausage and make it quick." Uncle Vernon spat at him. Harry mechanically went to the cupboard to get the food. He cooked the food quickly and served it to the Dursleys. After he gave Uncle Vernon his plate, he was delivered with a blow to the back. Harry fell forward and hit his head on the corner of the counter. Harry picked himself off of the floor and walked up to his bedroom neglecting to get anything to eat for himself. He reached the haven of his bedroom and closed the door. To survey the damage his fall had caused, he looked in his small mirror. His reflection was not his own. He had long, greasy black hair and black eyes. He noticed he had grown at least several inches and his nose was longer. His face was well defined but his lightning bolt shaped scar was still visible under his now long hair. Shocked, Harry collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep right away. The next thing Harry knew was that Uncle Vernon was making his way towards Harry on the bed with a menacing grin on his face.
Severus Snape was on his way to Number 4 Privet Drive on the Knight Bus. He stopped at Arabella Figg's house and started walking to Number 4. He finally arrived at the house and knocked on the door. Aunt Petunia answered the door. "Is Harry Potter here?" Professor Snape asked. Petunia stuck her nose up in the air haughtily. "I don't know who you're talking about." She said. "You're one of those freaks aren't you, from that place? His lot." Petunia spat. "Get off of my property." She added. "I think not." Professor Snape said pushing his way in. "Where is Harry Potter at?" He asked rudely. "He doesn't live here." Petunia said. He pointed his wand at her. "H-He's upstairs." She squealed. He scowled and made his way upstairs. He was faced with three doors. He decided to try the one with the locks first. "Alohomora." He said gently. The door opened and he met a vulgar scene. Harry was being kicked and punched by his uncle. "What on earth do you think you are doing?!" Professor Snape shouted at the huge man kicking Harry. Vernon turned around. "You're one of those freaks! Get out of my house now!" Vernon snarled. Professor Snape pulled out his wand and pointed it at the muggle's throat. "Petrificus Totalus!" Snape yelled. The man's body went rigid and fell to the ground. Professor Snape knelt by Harry's side and felt for a pulse. It was barely there. "Professor Snape?" Harry said quietly. He nodded. "Where are your things Harry?" He asked softly. Harry pointed to his small wardrobe. He whispered a few incantations and Harry's stuff was packed and tucked safely in the Potions Master's pocket. "Finite Incantatem." He said pointing his wand at Uncle Vernon. He stood up warily and Professor Snape watched as he ran down the stairs. "Harry, I'm taking you to Hogwarts." Professor Snap said. A small smile crossed Harry's new features and he fell into unconsciousness. Professor Snape picked him up and carried him down the stairs. "Where are you taking the boy?" Petunia asked. "I am taking him somewhere where he will not be beaten to an inch of death by his relatives. Someplace where he does not have to live with people who do not respect him for what he is." Professor Snape snarled. "He is nothing more than a freak just like you." She retorted. "He is the hero of our world and I'll be damned if I let our last hope for peace die at the hands of muggles like yourselves." He retorted back to her. "Portus." He added pointing his wand at an old paper. He touched it with one finger and felt the pull just behind his navel. He was back at Dumbledore's office. "What has happened Severus?" Professor Dumbledore asked alarmed. "Those muggles beat him, Albus. I have to get him to the Hospital wing." Snape said while heading towards the fireplace to the hospital. Severus arrived a few seconds later in the infirmary of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.