I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.
CHAPTER TWO.
SS-POV
I stared at the green eyes that were so much like lily's, that's all I could see from the shadows under the stairs, I looked down and saw a leash leading from a hook to under the stairs and I felt sick, surely they hadn't.
I crouched down to get a better look and saw a small girl sitting there looking at me with wide fearful eyes, she was shivering and her eyes kept flicking between the three of us.
" its alright Haley, your safe " I said quietly " the muggles will never hurt you again " I promised, she looked doubtful and hadn't moved.
" Hello dear, " Minerva said gently as she gave Haley an assuring smile. " We aren't going to hurt you, we won't even touch you. But could you come on out for us? " she asked.
I saw Haley looking at all of us cautiously as she crawled out from under the stairs and stood up, I clenched my hands into fist's in fury. She was covered in bruises head to toe!
I think Haley saw my anger because she flinched and looked at the ground.
" Haley, I am not mad at you " I said but she didn't look up.
" Lets get that thing off you dear " Albus said stepping a bit closer, she looked up at me in fear and backed away shacking her head in panic.
" no! if I take if off uncle will be angry and I'll be punished " she said
" Calm down dear, we aren't going to let those people near you ever again " Minerva said, she was much better with children then I so I stood up taking a few steps back.
" E-Ever? " Haley asked in a shaky doubtful voice.
" I promise if they never do " Albus promised and she seemed to calm a bit, but not much.
" Can we take off that collar off now? " I asked and she nodded hesitant.
I stepped forward and got on my knees in front of her so our eyes met, I reached up gently and unbuckled the collar from her neck, once it was off I tossed it aside in disgust then I looked back at her and saw the dark bruises covering her neck and I reached out gently.
" does it hurt Haley? " I asked and she hesitated before nodding.
" Its alright though sir, I've had worse " she muttered, so quiet I believed I had been the only one to hear it, but when I heard Minerva's gasp I knew that had not been the case.
" Sweetheart, why don't I take you inside so you can grab your things, you won't be coming back here ever again " Minerva said, Haley stared up at her with wide hopeful eyes.
" I'm never coming back? " she asked
" No Haley, you are never coming back " Albus said just as I did.
She glanced at us both before nodding her thanks and walking into the house with Minerva, I stood up brushing the dirt off my robes and looked over at Albus.
" the Dursleys will not get away unpunished " I vowed " they will pay for what they did to Lily's child " I said and Albus nodded his agreement.
MM-POV
I followed close by to Haley as we walked into the house, she lead me to the cupboard under the stairs and I stared sadly as she grabbed a ratty old bag and stuffed clothes that were old, ratty and much to large for her, inside. She then grabbed a worn out stuffed animal Stag that I recognized to be the little toy James had given to his daughter when she had been only a baby.
She put it in the bag as well and then closed the bag shut before looking up at me.
" where are your shoes " I asked and she blushed before looking down, then she lifted up the filthy mat she was given as a bed, and pulled out a pair of black and white converse that were about five times bigger then her feet and had holes in them, she yanked them on and looked back up at me.
" All set? " I asked managing to hold in my tears, I had to be strong for this girl, I didn't need to break down in front of her, but it was so hard not to! The girl had been through so much, I wanted to bawl my eyes out for her, then move on to punish those pathetic excuses of humans.
She nodded at me and I lead her outside to the front where Albus and Severus were waiting patently she grabbed my hand gently.
" now were going to apperate, and its going to feel very odd so Severus here is going to give you a potion, its going to make sure you don't get sick, alright? " I asked and Haley nodded but looked a bit hesitant, Severus crouched in front of her as he pulled the potion bottle from his robes.
" I promise nothing bad will happen from taking this, It may taste a bit odd but it will help " Severus promised, Haley nodded and took the potion, the put it to her lips and tipped her head back, downing the hole bottle.
She swallowed and her nose scrunched up so cutely that I had to smile, Haley handed the empty bottle back to Severus, who gave her one of his rare smiles, before standing up and turning to nod to Albus.
I took Haley's hand in mine and apperated, Quickly being followed by Albus and Severus.
HP-POV
When we apperated it felt like I was being forced into a hole much smaller then my body, my stomach clenched painfully and I felt light headed, the next thing I knew though is I was standing at the gates of a large, beautiful castle.
I bent over at the waist wrapping my arms around my stomach and taking deep breath's, Minerva put a hand on my back rubbing soothing circles with her hand as she whispered assuring words in my ear.
When I recovered I stood straight and looked at the castle beyond the gates, Albus waved his hand and the Gates opened, we walked through and I glanced over my shoulder watching the gates close behind us.
We followed the dirt trail leading to the front doors to the castle.
" Welcome to Hogwarts " Albus said as the large golden doors opened, he lead us all inside and I walked in, turning in a circle as I walked, I stared in wonder at the inside, to the and right there was a pair of marble stairs, large doors on the far right that looked like brass, paintings everywhere that moved!
I looked over at the three adults to see them smiling at me, I felt a large grin break out across my face and couldn't help feeling shocked, I hadn't smiled in ages.
" Come dear, we need to let madam Pomfrey check on you, we need to get you all healed up " Minerva said
I took her hand and she lead me up several flights of stairs, I was aware of the men following behind us but I was to busy waving to the people in the paintings.
They smiled and waved back, sometime noting how skinny I was and scolding the adults that I needed to eat more.
When we walked through a couple maple wood doors I glanced around and saw rows of beds, privacy curtains, there was a large window, and some paintings as well, I smiled and waved to them and looked over as the door inside the room opened, an older woman walked out wearing a red dress with a white waist apron with two large pockets, she had her hair pulled back and wore a small little white hat.
" oh, hello professors, and who's this " she asked
" Hello madam Pomfrey, this is Haley. " Severus said
" Haley? The Haley? " she asked in shock and I looked at her in confusion.
" Why does she say my name like that " I asked quietly as I tugged on Severus's sleeve staring at the floor.
" Its okay Haley, everything will be explained soon " Albus said
" Haley needs a check up Poppy, If you would " Minerva said
" of course Minerva, " Pomfrey said and then she smiled down at me " Would you mind sitting up on one of these beds " she asked and I looked up at her shaking my head in panic.
" Freaks are not to sit on the furniture " I said, it was getting harder to breath, my heart rate was picking up.
" Haley, calm down, " Severus said crouching in front of me and putting his hands on my shoulders looking up into my eyes. " deep breaths…..that's it..in….out…there you go…good…" he said breathing with me, and soon I had calmed down, but my hands still shook.
" What is she talking about Albus? " I heard Pomfrey ask her voice shacking a bit.
" It will be explained in time Poppy " Albus said
" Haley, look at me " Severus said gently and I turned to look into his dark eyes, finding comfort in them, slowly my hands stopped shacking and Severus smiled at me tucking my hair behind my ear.
" There you go, now I want you to listen to me. You are not a freak Haley, I want you to forget everything those people ever said to you, you are a very special girl. " Severus said, I looked at him as a tear ran down my cheek, he wiped it away gently with his thumb and he left his hand on my cheek.
" Okay? " he asked and I nodded, I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest, I felt him hesitate for a moment before he wrapped his arms around me.
" Alright now, do you think you can get up on the bed? " Pomfrey asked, I hesitated but nodded, Severus pulled back and smiled at me then he stood up and lead me over to the nearest bed, I lifted my arms up, allowing him to set me up on the bed, he gave me an assuring smile.
" Can you lay back? Madam Pomfrey needs to do a diagnostic on you, but you need to be laying down, and be as still as possible " Albus asked and I nodded.
I laid back and my hands twitched, Severus noticed my nervousness and put his hand on mine giving me a small smile.
" Minerva, can you go prepare some rooms for Haley, close my quarters please " Severus said
" of course " Minerva said and left.
Pomfrey stood beside me and pulled out a long wooden stick, but it was smooth and had a shine to it, but I gasped sitting up in panic.
" No, no magic! I'll get in trouble! " I said in panic and then I gasped covering my mouth, I'd said it! I'd said the 'M' word!
" I'm sorry " I said looking at them in panic as tears began to slid down my cheeks.
" No Haley, its alright. They will never hurt you again, its alright " Severus said but I shook my head.
" He'll find out. He'll find me, and I'll be punished " I sobbed.
" Haley, you have to calm down, remember deep breaths.. come on, do it with me " Severus said and I calmed myself as I stared in his eyes and took deep breaths with him then I leaned against him.
Once Severus was sure I was calm I laid back down and let Pomfrey run her wand up and down over my body, I laid there slowly getting bored, I stared in interest as a piece of parchment and quill appeared beside her and the quill began moving, writing on the parchment, soon the paper had reached the ground and it was still writing, Severus stared at the paper as it grew and when it stopped Pomfrey walked over, as the quill popped away, and she grabbed the parchment reading over it. After awhile she gasped and Severus walked over taking the paper from her, I was getting bored laying there and I was still hurting so I decided to sleep, slowly my eyes slid closed and I drifted off, the last thing I heard was someone beginning to sob.
