Hi all! So this is my first Harry Potter fanfiction but not my first fanfiction. I've written under a different name before but I've forgotten my password and cannot access that account... However, this story, I really wanted to write. I'm hoping I get far with it! As I said, first HP fanfiction, please leave me a review and tell me how I'm doing!

Thanks!

Disclaimer: characters belong to JK Rowling and associated companies. They are not mine.

Warnings: abuse

Warnings for chapter: brief mentions of injuries caused by abuse

Severus Snape had dealt with his fair share of abused children, being the head of Slytherin house. It seemed adults of such children had a higher likelihood for abuse than others. His years as a death eater and subsequently a double agent made him scarily adept at picking out anomalies in students' behaviours that resembled those of abused individuals and from his own harrowing experiences which to this day he keeps well hidden under his stoic exterior.

What he didn't expect was to notice perhaps the most subtle and undetectable to most signs of abuse on his young fourth year Gryffindor student. It was undeniably subtle and to an untrained eye, perhaps invisible. No fourth year student should be able to cast such a charm that hides one's bodily abrasions. Even he had barely managed to master such a difficult charm.

But one day in his fourth year Slytherin/Gryffindor potions class, he'd caught a glimpse of a shine on one of the student's arms. It was merely a flash but upon closer scrutiny, Severus noticed it another time before class was over. He knew how signs of abuse were not something to be ignored at all, but even he grunted internally over the prospect of having to bring this up with his least favourite student's head of house. However, he knew it must be done. He had his suspicions that the boy's home life wasn't as perfect as he had once thought after the midnight escapade to catch Sirius Black and then consequently Peter Pettigrew.

Begrudgingly he dismissed his first year Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw class and swept out of his dungeon classroom and made his way to the main tower to the transfiguration room.

His Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw class had left him in a foul mood as one of the Hufflepuff girls managed to melt her cauldron and one of Ravenclaw boys saw it fit to push a fellow classmate into the mess, this kind of foolery usually only came from his Slytherin/Gryffindor classes. A disastrous combination that every year the headmaster insisted upon, using the one year they'll learn excuse to seemingly torture the Slytherin potions master.

He soon found himself at the office of the transfiguration professor. Almost regretting his decision, he knocked on the door and walked in, not waiting for a reply.

'Severus, to what do I owe this sudden intrusion?' The transfiguration professor scowled at him over her stack of second year parchments she was yet to mark.

'Don't think I want to be here any more so than you, Minerva.' Severus drawled, his patience being worn thin by the witch's demeanor. 'I am aware you have work to assess and are in a foul mood but I regrettably must insist upon a short discussion.' Minerva placed down her quill and removed her spectacles and looked up at Severus, as if scrutinising him for any indication of an ulterior motive for this blatant disruption. Narrowing her eyes, she gestured for him to take the seat opposite her desk. Severus swiftly took the offered seat.

'Now, make it quick, Severus. What is of such importance it requires to be discussed now?' Minerva asked. She had a fair point, Severus unwillingly admitted to himself. Both adults were supposed to be having their lunch breaks before afternoon classes began.

'It is in regard to one of your students.' Severus began.

'Which student might this be?' She asked him neutrally.

'Mr. Potter.' Severus said, but before he could continue was abruptly cut off.

'Merlin, Severus, if you've come up here to yet again complain about Mr. Potter's so called "attitude" problem, as you call it, I will have you-' She was cut off by the calm but impatient voice of the potions professor.

'No, that I'd have made a public spectacle of as you seem to be doing nothing to aid me,' Severus said, earning a glare from Minerva, 'this, however, is something different.'

'And this thing is?' She asked.

'Earlier today I noticed evidence of a highly skilled charm being used upon Mr. Potter's arms, one that even I found difficult to master. The use of concealment charms is tell-tale evidence of abuse in one form or another, be it at home or at school.' Severus explained stoically, Minerva sat quietly as she listened in. 'As the boy in question is in your house, it is your responsibility to follow up on, which I insist you do.' Minerva had every intention of talking with the young wizard in question, but was befuddled as to why Severus had brought this to her.

'Thank you for telling me, Severus. But I must ask,' she said, 'what your motives are for this?'

'My motives?'

'Yes, it is common knowledge that you don't have a particular liking for Mr. Potter, so why bother bringing this up if you weren't sure? Are you just making this up?'

'Abuse is not something to be taken lightly.' Severus said, rising to his feet. Appalled and irritated by Minerva's accusations. 'I implore you to look into this and will be watching until you do, so I suggest you do it fairly quickly.' With that, Severus left the room leaving Minerva with her questions as to the what the man's motives may be.

Owing to his experience as a spy, Severus was able to stalk the hallways undetected as he waited for Harry and Minerva to emerge from her office. The witch had done as he had asked and found Harry that same day, and now Severus was waiting to see that this matter was taken to the headmaster to be sorted properly.

He knew in his mind that there was no doubt that that boy had been abused. He'd recalled the boys actions in his class since term had resumed and could pick out how he'd flinch at loud noises and shy away from bodily contact. That, the use of concealment charms and his intuition made him definite of his conclusion that the young boy had in fact been abused. However by whom and to what extent remained a mystery to the Slytherin.

'Thanks, professor!' The sudden voice brought Severus out of his thoughts, he walked to the corner by Minerva's office with enough time to watch the Raven haired boy wave goodbye and smile fondly at said witch. As if aware he was there, Minerva turned and scowled once again him and ordered him into her office.

'What in Merlin's name did you think you were doing Severus?' Minerva exclaimed angrily. Severus was taken aback by her outrage at him.

'What do you mean?' He asked. Snarling at her. Unappreciative of the treatment he was receiving.

'I mean, Potter was not abused, he merely was experimenting with Weasley and Granger with concealment charms after he fell in a thorn bush. They thought it would be fun.' She explained harshly. Severus didn't for one second believe that the feeble reason Minerva was presenting him with, and he didn't believe she did, either. However, he was wrong.

'You can't seriously believe that? You've seen the boy.' Severus said. 'He's as thin as a rake, he's as light as a feather. You're going to sit here and tell me that this was all because he fell in a thorn bush?'

'He wouldn't lie.' Minerva insisted. 'I looked him in the eyes. He was sincere.' Before Severus could once again argue, he was cut off. 'Now, Severus. Go back to your dungeons and care for your Snakes, leave me to deal with my Lions.' With a furrowed and stern brow. Severus rose to his feet and stalked out of the room, his robes billowing behind him. If Minerva wasn't going to help him, so be it. He'd do it himself.