Summary: When Dumbledore suspects something odd going on at Number Four, he sends his resident spy to investiagte. What Severus finds will not only shock the cold-hearted PotionsMaster, but revelations that follow will rock the WizardingWorld. AU!Sevitus!DursleyAbuse!

Rating: PG13/T

Disclaimer:Nothing belongs to me.

A/N: This is a repost of my first posted fanfiction with changes that I hope make it flow better. I had kept records of all reviewers, but it got deleted, so if you know anyone who read this, please let them know! This will also be posted at PotionsAndSnitches if you wanted to know.

Cheers!


Professor Severus Snape was furious. No, that was a major understatement. He was royally peeved. He'd been 'asked' by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore to check up on Harry Potter, in regards to the events of last term. Severus Snape snorted at that thought. A load of dragon dung if Potter would be suffering! Things like this happened every term to Potter, first term it was the Philosophers Stone, second the Chamber of Secrets, third his mutt of a godfather escaped, and now the Dark Lord had returned. If anybody could bear it all, Potter could. Besides, his relatives probably waited on him hand and foot for his every need! However, Severus doubted that slightly, he could see himself in the young Potter. And it troubled him. Pushing the memories of his childhood away, Severus cast the Invisibility charm on himself as he strode up the walkway to Number Four Privet Drive. Opening the door with a simple 'alohamora', Severus crept silently into the darkened house. If he was correct, only one light was on in the entire house. He headed upstairs.

Severus froze in the hallway. He could hear the sound of wood hitting flesh, flesh against flesh, and the crack of leather (or a switch) Oh nonononononono! Severus thought as he cast alohamora on the heavily locked door to the lighted room. The heavy door opened silently as Severus slipped into the room. Potter was pressed against a wall, shirt off and his back (which was covered with blood) to the room. A fat man, his uncle, Vernon, was beating him, altering between his hand, a ruler, switch, whip, and belt, his free hand at the nape of Potter's neck, keeping the teen from moving. Shaking his head, Severus cast away the memories of his childhood, instead focusing on Potter.

The boy was trembling slightly, though not whimpering or crying out as blood poured down his back. He can't cry out! Severus realized as the boy's head turned slightly. Duct tape was over Harry's mouth, preventing the teen from crying out. When his uncle paused in the beating, moving his hand from his nephew's neck, Harry crumpled to the floor. Vernon jerked him up by his hair, dragging him to the bed. He threw Harry (Severus now refused to call him by his surname) onto it (face first), this time using his hand at Harry's neck and leg against his upper thighs to keep Harry from moving before continuing to beat the slight teen with the switch. Having seen enough, Severus stepped forward, removing the charm wandlessly.

"Dursley." He growled. Vernon froze, turning sharply for someone his size. Seeing Severus in his billowing robes, he paled, the switch dropping beside the coiled whip, bloodied piece of (splintered) wood, and belt (which, Severus noted, had bites of glass, nail, and wood on it). "You! Freak!" He hissed. Severus was unfazed as he crossed his arms, giving Vernon an icy look. "I've come to check up on Harry Potter, Dursley. We have a source that suspected abuse. They were correct." Severus said tightly. Vernon spun, glaring at his nephew, who was sweating slightly and breathing deeply. Angered, Vernon jerked Harry up by his hair, tears forming in the corners of Harry's eyes at the pain as his uncle spat in his face, slamming him into a wall. Harry dropped to the ground in a heap, his head bowed in shame.

Vernon jerked Harry up by his hair again. "What did you tell them, boy!" He hissed, throwing Harry again. Having enough, Severus stepped in the way, catching Harry before he crashed into another wall. Supporting the teen, he turned to Vernon angrily. "I warned you, we all warned you, Dursley. I'll leave Dumbledore to deal with you; he'll at least let you live." Severus snarled, using a Banishing spell to send Vernon flying from the room, the door swinging shut and locking behind him. Using one arm to support the teen, Severus used his free hand to gently peel the tape from Harry's mouth, throwing it to the ground.

Harry gave him a grateful look, swaying slightly. "Easy, Harry." Severus muttered, shifting the teen's weight. Looking down, he saw that Harry was looking at him through pain and fear filled glassy emerald eyes. "Why?" Harry asked softly, swaying despite the hold Severus had on him. "Why what, Harry?" Severus asked crisply. "Why help me? I deserved the punishment for not completing my chores on time." Harry said softly, collapsing, his broken leg finally giving way. Supporting the teen, Severus sat him on the bed, sitting next to the teen and allowing Harry to lean against him. "Harry, you don't deserve that. Nobody does. Do the Weasly's punish their children like that? The Granger's? Have they complained of being beaten and starved? Does your cousin? You. Do. Not. Deserve. That. Understand?" Severus said, taking Harry's chin and forcing the teen to look at him. Harry nodded, his eyes fluttering from sleepiness. "Good, now sleep. I've cast charms so no one but Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey, and myself can get in. I will be back shortly with potions, salves, and clean clothes and bedding. Good day, er night." Severus said, Disapparating with a small crack. Harry sank against his pillows, letting sleep overcome him.