Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter... But you already knew that... Or I could be J. in disguise... As a small brunette =D

I wrote this at 3:00 AM in the morning... So if there are any grammer or spelling mistakes... Do forgive me...

Please Read and Review =] XxJuly 1995, Privet Drive

Harry pushed back his straight black hair and gazed into the mirror. He had a large bruise on his right cheekbone, just below his emerald green eye. He touched it and pulled away almost instantly, it still hurt profusely. He shouldn't have scared Dudley. He knew this would happen, but he had still done it, thinking it was worth getting yelled at. But Uncle Vernon had decided to hit him instead. Harry turned and slumped down on his bed.

It wouldn't be long until he was in Hogwarts now. Sleeping in his comfortable four poster bed, having banquets in the Great Hall and being surrounded by his best friends, Ron and Hermione.

He just wished he didn't have to come here every summer, endure the beatings from Uncle Vernon and Dudley and the yelling and constant ordering about from Aunt Petunia. He just wished he had a real home to go to like the rest of his friends.

July 1975, Spinners End

Severus pushed back his greasy straight black hair and looked into the mirror sadly. He had a large gash on the right side of his face, just below his black eye. He didn't even attempt to stem the flow of blood that was oozing down his face. He was used to pain. All kinds of it. Emotional. Physical. Mental. He turned around and slumped down on his bed.

It wouldn't be long until he was in Hogwarts now. Sleeping in his comfortable four poster bed and having banquets in the Great Hall. And seeing Lily again.

He just wished he didn't have to come back home every summer. He hated this place. His mother hardly ever spoke, all she did was cry. And all his father did was speak, and shout, and hit. Everyone and anything that came close to him when he was in a bad mood. It wasn't like it was Severus' fault that his father couldn't find work. Although he did feel like it was sometimes. That's what his father said. And his mother at times. He just wished he had a real home to go to like so many other Hogwarts students.

July 1995, Hogwarts

"You wanted to see me Headmaster?" The head of Severus Snape was bouncing in the Headmaster's office fire.

"Ah Severus", Albus Dumbledore said looking up from his desk and peering at Snape over his half moon spectacles. "I did, yes".

Severus clambered out of the fireplace. "What is it that you wish me to do?" He stood in front of Dumbledore's desk looking expectant.

"Why do you always assume I want you to carry out a task for me Severus", Dumbledore said smiling. "Can't I just have you round for tea?" Severus gave a small smile and sat down. Dumbledore conjured a tray with a teapot, cups and biscuits out of thin air and began pouring tea into a cup. "Black, no sugar?"

Severus looked shocked. "How did you know Headmaster?"

Dumbledore handed him the cup. "I make a note to know the simplest things about my staff". Severus nodded, not fully understanding. "As a matter of fact Severus, I do have a task for you".

"I thought as much. Go on", Severus sipped on his tea.

"I want you to go and check on Harry for me".

Severus did not look pleased. He narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore. "Why me of all people?"

"I thought you would make a good judge of the situation, being unbiased". Even as he said this, there was an odd twinkle in his blue eyes.

July 1995, Privet Drive

It had taken a lot for Dumbledore to convince Severus to do this, he had given him the do-it-for-Lily thing again. That man. He always knew what to say. Severus trudged up the dark street, his cloak billowing. He had not bothered to wear muggle clothing, he hadn't worn them since he had started at Hogwarts and didn't intend to either. It reminded him too much of his childhood. His horrible childhood.

He had reached number four. He rang the doorbell. About two minutes later a man's voice came from the other side. "Who are you?"

"Professor Severus Snape", Severus said in the most convincing tone he could muster. Why did this man sound scared? What had Potter told them about Wizards.

"Professor of what?"

Severus sighed. This was going to be a long night.

---

The doorbell rang. Harry jumped to his feet. He didn't know why, but he had felt as if it was for him. He checked the clock on his bedside table. It was 8 o'clock. He walked out onto the hallway and looked over the banister. Uncle Vernon was standing at the door, shouting through the letterbox.

"GO AWAY!"

Could it be Ron? Or someone else, come to take him away. Harry ran down a couple of steps, his Uncle rounded on him.

"WHO THE HELL IS PROFESSOR SNAKE?!" Uncle Vernon yelled at him, Harry tripped on a step, stumbling slightly. Snake? Snape…

"Snape?" Harry asked in a small voice. Before his Uncle could respond, there was a voice from outside the door. A slow, smooth, sinister voice, that Harry knew well.

"Let me in, or I will break down your door". Uncle Vernon glared at the door as if daring it to allow Snape to barge in. Then there was deafening crash as the door flew off its hinges and across the landing. There was a horrible shriek. Aunt Petunia and Dudley were cowering near the Living room door.

Snape then walked over the threshold. He was dressed in his usual black robes, billowing cloak and all. He looked from Harry to Uncle Vernon who had his hand around Harry's throat. Snape whipped out his wand and pointed it at Uncle Vernon.

"Get your hands off him", Snape said in a deadly voice.

Uncle Vernon let go immediately and ran towards his wife and son. Snape then pointed his wand at the front door and it flew back into its original place.

"Are you ok Potter?" Snape asked Harry. Harry stood alarmed. Was Snape asking Harry if he was ok? Snape?

"Yeah, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore told me to check on you", Snape said, then moving closer to Harry he said, "What happened to your face?"

Crap. Now they would know. He hadn't wanted anyone to know that he had let his Uncle beat him all these years. Subconsciously Harry glanced towards the Dursleys. That did it.

"You're coming with me Potter. Get your things. I'll see who stops me", Snape said pointing his wand at the Dursleys. Harry ran up the stairs.