A/N: Neville/Snape mentor relationship. Self-harm awareness prompt. R&R! OOC Snape. So. This is a multi-chaptered one shot that I wrote in math class over the course of a few days. Enjoy, and please, R&R.

-ooOoo- Chapter 1: THE DISCOVERY

Neville sat nervously in the uncomfortable chair in front of Snape's desk, fidgeting slightly. He hadn't even blown up his cauldron that morning, and still Snape kept him after class.

The sallow-skinned man swept into his office and dragged a chair out towards Neville. The Gryffindor stared at his Professor as Snape turned the chair on one of its legs, straddled it and folded his arms along the back before facing his student.

"Mr. Longbottom, today in class I noticed your left arm shaking as you added your Ashwinder Eggs." Snape said silkily. "And your sleeve slipped. Kindly roll up your sleeves, Mr. Longbottom."

Neville froze, staring at Snape in horror. "Sir?"

"Your sleeves, Mr. Longbottom." Snape said, his normally sneering expression softening with understanding. "Please."

Neville swallowed and with trembling fingers, rolled up his right sleeve. He presented his arm, but Snape merely raised an inky black eyebrow elegantly. "The left sleeve, kindly."

Neville took a deep shaky breath, and rolled up his left sleeve. Snape drew in a soft breath as Neville revealed the angry red marks on his arm. Snape gently wrapped his slender fingers around Neville's wrist and drew the Gryffindor's arm towards him, inspecting the self-inflicted cuts with a critical eye.

The Gryffindor swallowed and closed his eyes as Snape sighed quietly and murmured, "I thought so."

Snape released his wrist and looked up, meeting Neville's gaze firmly. "Many Slytherins suffer from depression Mr. Longbottom." The raven-haired man shifted slightly in his chair and said, "My office door is always open if you would like to talk. When I was younger, I did the same as you are now. I know what you're going through."

Neville swallowed and blinked back the burning tears of gratitude that were welling up behind his eyes. "Thank you, Professor." He croaked, his throat closing up with the knot of emotion that was rising.

Snape nodded brusquely, and he stood, moving his chair back to its original position behind his desk. "Would you like me to heal them and leave the scars?"

Neville nodded and wordlessly extended his arm again. Snape slipped his wand out of his sleeve and murmured a healing spell. The cuts sealed back together, mending his skin but leaving soft pink lines embedded in his arm.

Neville smiled and pulled his sleeve back down. "Thanks, Professor Snape."

Snape nodded again and said, "I would like you to come with me to a staff meeting this evening and tell the other members of the faculty-namely, your Head of House and the Headmaster."

Neville closed his eyes and said obediently, "Yes, Professor."

Snape motioned towards the door. "You may return to my office at 7 o' clock promptly. Do not be late. Dismissed."

Neville smiled and hurried to the door, gathering his things before leaving with a bright grin plastered on his face.