Sadly, I own nothing except OC characters and the plot.
Fear was what drove man-kind. It manifests and can cripple even the bravest. So, when muggles discovered the existence of wizardry and witchcraft in the medieval times, they sought to destroy the kind. Something they saw as a threat, the unknown. Many innocent muggles died in this crusade, whilst wizards and witches alike hid, learning that muggles could not cope with the truth, choosing to allow them to live in ignorance of their way of life.

However, one family would not allow themselves to forget the truth, the Dursley clan. Through years of generations, they tried to find a way to keep themselves at the top of the chain. Many lives were wasted in the pursuit of this goal, unable to get a hold of a magical being with their useless weapons. It was until a baby was born into the obsessed family that things changed. It took just one look at the mesmerising silver eyes of the infant to know this was not a being of non-magical people. Delighted, their hungry eyes filled with a morbid greed stared at the little, newborn girl. The mother, still breathless from the pain that had come from the birth, reached for the baby, sensing the threat to her baby. But against the magic-haters, it was a lost cause.

They carried the baby away, ignoring the screams from the mother and the cries from the infant. The Dursley family had many plans for the child, the key to their victory and discovering a way to conquer the wizard-kind.

The magical society believed that the boy-who-lived was living a life of luxury, basking in his fame. It was what people wanted to believe. Some in gratitude, some in jealousy and some to fuel their hatred. This was the case with Severus Snape. It was the easiest thing to assume. Many people said that the brat's eyes were of his sweet mother, Lily Potter nee Evans. But all that Snape saw was the face of his tormentor, James Potter. He protected the famous Harry Potter for one reason, which was his unrequited love.

He was a bitter man, teaching children that he despised for their naivety and ignorance. He envied them for their futures, whilst his was just a dark path that ended with a tragedy that could challenge Shakespeare. So he did not have much to be happy about.

But, everyone knows that assuming things is not the same as knowing things.

So when Snape strode past the bathroom on his nightly patrol in the beginning of term at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, he did not expect to hear gasps of pain come from the entry of the boys' toilets. Curious, he peered round and was met with an astonishing sight.

Harry James Potter sat against the cold tiled walls of the bathroom, his shirt and jumper discarded. Without the lumpy uniform, the abused torso of the Golden boy was revealed to the Half Blood Prince by the moonlight that shown through the narrow window above.

Bruises and scars littered the upper body, obvious bones healed incorrectly, showing that this was not a one off. The battered form of Potter froze the Professor in his spot, his mind trapped in a state of confusion and shock. It was obvious that this was a case of numerous intentional beatings inflicted upon his skinny form. Thoughts came tumbling into Severus Snape's head. Was Dumbledore aware of his beloved saviour being attacked? Who was this beater? What is Potters secret and why is it a secret?

The door squeaked in protest as Snape leaned on it for support, alerting the Potter boy of his presence.

His head snapped up in surprise, and he quickly made to get his clothes, clumsily grasping for them, despite the groans of pain he emitted. Quickly, Snape moved forward to help him, stand when his limbs started to respond to his brain.

No matter how much he detested the boy, no one with at least a little bit of goodness in their heart would leave him to get up under so much strain.

Easy there Mr Potter. No need to add to further injury.' He spoke, his nasal voice adopting a gentler tone. But as soon as his fingers made contact with the scarred skin of the boy, a whimper was heard in the silent room. Potter jerked back in fear, clearly choosing to ignore his injuries for an escape of some kind. He started to franticly shake his head, and plead with his watering eyes for something Snape did not know. The frenzied and unpredictability of his mood was shown in his agitated movements. The agonising terror that seemed to possess the young boy was controlling him, gripping him in its icy grasp.

As if he was a startled, timid animal, as he was acting, Snape slowly moved towards the sixth year student carefully. Now, looking into the emerald eyes, he saw his Lily. It made his heart choke to see such familiar eyes look at him with pain and fear.

Potter, let me help you.' He whispered, reaching out for him. He got hold of the jumper. But, so quickly he could not follow, Potter grabbed some sort of cloak and dashed out of the moonlit bathroom, tearing the jumper in the process. The door still swinging from the boys exit, Snape followed in close pursuit but found that strangely, the corridor was empty; making it seem like it was only a dream. However, the piece of jumper that was still clutched in his hand proved that it was no such thing.

The enigma that was Harry James Potter presented its mystery to the Professor. With his mission on the forefront of his mind, he made his way towards the headmaster's office, prepared to give a lengthy questioning to the twinkled-eyed man.

He was unaware of the panicked filled, green eyes that followed after him, hidden by the invisibility cloak.