Harrywoke gasping for air. He was being held down but gently. He stared up into the onyx eyes of Severus Snape and tried to relax.

"It's okay, Harry." Severus soothed, they were in Minerva's family quarters. He had his own room up here and now so did Harry. " It's okay. "

Harry nodded and Severus let him up. Neither saw Albus in the doorway with Minerva.

"Sorry, I woke you, 'Fessor." Harry replied, " I had a bad dream."

"If you talk about it it will help." Severus explained, "I'm here to listen to you. "

Harry took a deep breath which still hurt. He winced.

" I was really little and I was sick..." Harry started, " I'd caught a cold from Dudley, He's my cousin. Dudley had gotten meds but my uncle just yelled at me and knocked me down the stairs. He then grabbed me by my hair and locked me in my cupboard. "

"Your cupboard?"

"It's where i sleep." Harry shrugged, " I heard the locks on the door and my Aunt yelling about me spreading my freaky germs around the house. I got really cold, and kept coughing, and it just got worse and worse and I thought I was dyeing and no one came to help me. I remember that I started to cry and cry.

After a while uncle came and got me he took me upstairs to Dudley's second bedroom and tied me up on the bed... he said, he said, " I'll give you something to cry about!" then he took off his belt and began hitting me with it. I cried and coughed. I could feel blood on my back then I passed out... that's all." Harry shrugged again. " It just freaks me out sometimes and wakes me up. "

"Do you wanna cry, Harry?" Severus asked, " I'll hold you while you do."

"Big boys don't cry." Harry quoted, " Uncle says I'm a big boy so I'm not supposed to cry anymore and the Headmaster says that I have to be strong now. "

Severus gritted his teeth and calmed himself before he spoke.

"Harry, they lied to you. Boys your age still need to cry and they need to cry even more when they've been through what you have."

"I'm okay, Professor." Harry replied, shaking his head. " I should go back to sleep I have to go to class in a few hours. "

"I wanted to talk to you about that. " Severus said, " You need a lot of healing and Derek has suggested that you take a few days off and we heal you. "

"But I'll fall behind!" Harry cried, "I can't fall behind!"

"You're top of your year, Harry. I dont think a few days will make a difference. I've talked to your Professors and they've agreed to let you make up your work without it counting against you. "

Harry woke with a start again only to see Derek, Severus, Minerva, and some people he didn't know.

"Hey, Harry." Minerva said, softly " Are you hungry? Tell me the truth now."

"Yes, Ma'am." Harry said and shyly woke up. "only I don't wanna be sick and ... and it always happens when I eat. "

"Okay, Harry, " Derek sighed walking over to him. " I need you to pull up your shirt so I can scan you. All I'm going to do is feel around your stomach and throat with my hands you'll feel the same slight tingle you did when I scanned you with my wand."

"I'm a little hot." Harry whispered, all this talking was really taking it's toll on his throat. " Can I take my shirt off?"

"Of course." Harry nodded and pulled the tank top off. He didn't know it or the boxers he was wearing. They weren't his but he didn't mind because these actually fit. " Are you sure you want these people to see your scars?"

Harry just shrugged and allowed the man to feel around his tummy and throat.

"Harry did your aunt or uncle ever give you anything that smelled like a pool?"

"Never been to a pool, sir."

"Okay, that's okay, " Derek soothed, " Did it look like water but not taste like it?"

"Yeah, my aunt would give me a glass after I finished my chores. After awhile I didn't want to drink it anymore but she made me. I would get so sick but they would just lock me in my cupboard."

"Okay, Harry, your stomach lining is very weak and the reason you cant talk so well is because of damage to your throat. It'll take some time but I can correct this okay?"

Harry nodded, was he saying that he could make the pain in his throat every time he talked go away. That would be very nice his eyes strayed to the people he didn't know.

"My name is Remus Lupin." Said the shaggy looking man. " I knew you as a baby. I was one your dads best friends..."

"i'm Minister Fudge and this is Dolores Umbridge." He looked giddy like he was about to come in his robes. " We've come to confirm that it was Dumbledore who did this to you?" Harry blinked but nodded as Severus came back with some cream. "Is that true? He ignored your abuse? Don't worry we wont use your name..."

"It's true." Harry said and looked up at his professor."Sir?"

"It's a scar cream I made for my Mastery . " he explained, " It will make all the scars go away. "

"Okay." Derek nodded and took the jar he froze then began when Harry nodded. He could tell the child was going into shock about all that had happened to him because he was coming to the conclusion that they were going to take care of him now. " May I go to class, 'Fessor?"

Severus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He went over to one of the book shelves as the teachers came in for a meeting. Dumbledore was frowning. He grabbed the heaviest thickest book and gave it to Harry.

"This is the 'Potions Encylapedia" !" Harry was suddenly a little more focused. " A FIRST EDITION! AND IT'S SIGNED!"

Severus smirked at the child's enthusiem.

"Read the A section and write a report on each ingredient. "

"Yes, sir!" Harry cheered, "Thank you, sir!"

Harry was soon so engrossed in his reading that he didn't even hear what everyone around him was talking about. He grabbed a quill and parchment and began writing . His nose was almost pressed to the book. Derek noticed and lifted Harry's chin and explained what he was going to do. He examined the boys eyes.

"Have you ever had an eye exam, Harry?" Harry jerked away and went back to his work he had studying to do. He hadn't been given a time limit on when to turn it in and he wanted it done so he could get permission to read more he'd wanted to buy it but knew if the Dursley's found it it would have been destroyed. Also Dumbledore had blocked his mail " Harry, I need an answer..."

"NO!" Harry snapped his eyes burning as he looked up. "HUSH! I'M STUDYING!"

Severus and Lupin were both smirking at him while everyone else just looked worried, giddy, or pissed.