AN:/ So this is the second re-posted chapter (I really do need to actually update this story someday soon, but for now I remembered this edit will have to do. Hopefully it fixes some of the more atrocious errors in my old writing… If that's even possible; writing really isn't my strong suit.
Disclaimer: Claiming less than no ownership over any of the characters, locations, etc used in this story.
"Harry," Minerva began, voice tight. "Why didn't you tell me or one of the other professors if something bad was happening in your home life?"
Harry swallowed nervously, trying in vain not to fidget. "Professor, I already told Ron and Hermione, it's really not that important what happens to me."
McGonagall was appalled, no longer able to hold in the emotions coursing through her the Scots-woman spoke sternly. "Harry Potter."
Near pissing himself, Harry paled. Never before had anyone called him by his full name, let alone a professor. "Um...P-Professor...I r-really sh-should g-get goin–" he stumble out, his terror stuttering his words. His attempt to flee was brought up short by a sharp gaze from Minerva.
"If you think for one more second that you are unimportant to your friends, your peers, or your professors …" she spoke solemnly, voice heavy with emotion. She was at a loss though. Minerva could not force anyone to see their self-worth. No one could do that, much as she wished she could.
He was looking around frightened though, so Minerva knew she had to say something. "If you think that Harry…well, first of all I'm deeply saddened to learn of it. But moreover I would hope that you will believe me when I tell you, you are sorely mistaken. A great many people care very much about you, young man." She paused. "I am no exception to that. And I hope if nothing else you can believe that."
In many ways his lack of response to her statement spoke for itself. He didn't believe it. Minerva felt a not inconsiderable part of her heart break at the thought. Regardless, she steeled herself and pressed on. "Alright, I've kept you here for long enough. Shall I write you a note for Severus?"
"Yes please professor." Harry murmured. Minerva felt her lips twitch upward just slightly.
"Alright then, Mr. Potter; however, I would ask you to come back here at 6 o'clock this evening. You may bring Miss. Granger or Mr. Weasley or anyone else if you'd like, but it's either you come here, or I'll be coming to the common room to retrieve you myself. Clear?"
With a gulp Harry nodded. "Yes professor."
Nodding Minerva stood and passed him the note; "You may go now , and please inform Professor Snape that if he has a problem with you being late to take it up with me personally."
Five minutes later Harry arrived at potions to have Severus Snape glare bullets at him before scrutinizing him on his tardiness.
"Ah Mr. Potter so nice of you to finally join us… A full 20 minutes late for class. I believe that merits some hefty point deduction." Snape was smirking as he spoke.
Producing the note Harry replied weakly, "Sir, I was with Professor McGonagall; she said to tell you to speak with her if there were any issues."
Snape sneered at the boy; lip curling back in disgust. "Very well Potter," he spit. "I will be speaking with Professor McGonagall later. Now go take a seat next to and see if you can accomplish something with your tiny arrogant brain." Harry quickly scrambled over to sit beside Hermione, who was regarding him worriedly.
Immediately after class Ron cornered Harry and half yelled, "What the bloody-hell did McGonagall want with you?! You were gone for 20 minutes mate!"
Harry was quiet but shot Hermione a dirty look, "I'm sure Hermione can tell you." He murmured quietly, shoving past the redhead. He wasn't in the mood to talk. He could hear footsteps coming up fast behind him, it was Hermione he was sure, but he desperately wanted to hide. To be left alone. He couldn't though, Hermione wanted to talk to him, and he had never been able to deny his friend anything.
Hermione was panting hard when she caught up to him, face flushed. Breathlessly she started speaking. "Please don't be angry, Harry. I-I care about you a lot…and what your relatives did was horrible and wrong! I just want you to be safe, and away from those horrible people! I swear I didn't mean to make you upset but Professor McGonagall needed to know that they were doing those kinds of things to you. Please don't be angry Harry."
Holding in a sigh Harry spoke quietly. "You don't get it," he began. "I'm going to have to go back for a semi-formal interrogation tonight, Hermione. And it's because you didn't listen when I told you not to interfere."
The brunette girl was too stunned to speak so he continued. "The professors are going to be questioning me, which would be suspicious enough to the others normally. With the chamber open…Well, I'm sure everyone will be relieved thinking the 'Heir of Slytherin' has been caught won't they." Harry finished quietly. The words were acidic on his tongue, and he wasn't quite sure why he was saying them. He just couldn't help it. She hadn't listened to him, and now he had to deal with the consequences.
"Harry, I-I… If I knew this would happen I wouldn't have done the same thing!" Hermione stammered. "Maybe I should've gone to a different professor… Harry I'm so sorry. Please forgive me?" Brown doe-eyes regarded him pleadingly and Harry was fast finding himself defenseless against them.
Rather he found himself a bit awestruck. 'What have I done now?! Hermione thinks she should apologize to scum like me.' He chastised himself.
"It's alright 'Mione." He mumbled, not noticing her blush at the nickname. "I'm just a little edgy about it. S'not your fault." He looked away as he mumbled the last bit, but she could tell he meant what he was saying.
Clearing his throat, Harry looked at the floor and spoke. "Um, a-about tonight…W-would you help me cover up where I'm going to be? I really don't want people to know about this…" He trailed off embarrassed.
Hermione smiled warmly at him. "Of course Harry! I'll help however I can." She spoke imploringly, trying to redeem herself for getting him into the situation.
Returning the smile weakly, Harry murmured a quiet "Thanks." The pair slowly made their way back to Gryffindor tower, not speaking about anything of great consequence. Upon arriving they found a corner of the common room to relax in until dinner. After all, Harry was nervous for the evening and the things people dread tend to come the fastest.
(Time skip: Great Hall, Supper)
"I wonder why Ron's acting so weird." Hermione observed, as the red haired boy sat with Seamus and Dean further down the table, having ignored Harry and Hermione when he came in. Harry could only shrug, distracted as he was. Harry felt little more than absolute terror about what was coming up for him as the day wore on. He was determinedly looking at everything and anything but the head table.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay tonight, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly. She really did feel horrible about what had come from her telling Professor McGonagall about the Dursleys little fire escapade.
Meanwhile at the head table Severus Snape was regarding a certain bespectacled, black-haired Gryffindor with interest. Snape had indeed talked with McGonagall after the earlier second year class, and found himself more confused than ever for his trouble.
Finally he leaned over to the woman beside him and questioned, "Minerva what exactly did you and Mr. Potter discuss for 20 minutes?"
Minerva glowered at him. "That is between Mr. Potter and I, Severus."
Snape scowled, "Be that as it may, Minerva, when a student is missing from my class for an extended period of time as a result it becomes my business."
McGonagall raised a brow, "Oh?" she questioned. "Does that mean that we've moved past that foolishness where you make it so none of your Slytherins are directly dealt with by any other professor?" she asked scathingly.
Nonplused, Snape demanded, "What are you doing with Potter? Giving him special treatment and lessons so he can become unfathomably more arrogant like his fool father?"
Minerva was having a bit of trouble reining her emotions at the moment and hissed at Severus, "Honestly Severus do you really think that way? Harry has never had anything 'handed to him on a silver platter' as you so eloquently put it. If anything he has more work than any other student."
Snape nearly laughed, "Minerva we both know that Potter receives special treatment from not just the students but his professors too. Why should I expect you to be any different?"
"I swear Severus you get denser regarding that boy every day. He has done nothing to you and yet—" she was cut off by Snape's irritated growl.
"Nothing except make my life increasingly more difficult by the day." He sneered, lip curling.
Eyes blazing, McGonagall hissed at him, "He is not James, Severus! He has done nothing to you except come to your classes and cause perhaps as much disruption as any other student. If you did not go out of your way to antagonize him I doubt he ever would have done anything wrong worth noting in your presence."
Snape scowled darkly and turned away. Minerva wasn't having his attitude though, she had put up with it for too long already. "Now you listen to me Severus, that boy has been through more in twelve years than many adults have been through in their whole lives!"
Snape scoffed, "Oh yes, I imagine being pampered and pandered to for twelve years really has been a huge strain on him." He drawled.
Seething Minerva ground out "He has not been pandered to Severus! Merlin's beard those blast muggles set his Christmas presents on fire—"
"What?" Snape cut her off sharply.
Realizing she had said more than she meant to, not an uncommon occurrence for her when her Scottish temper flared, Minerva attempted to backpedal. "Nothing Severus." She said resolutely turning back to her meal.
Not amused Snape snarled, "We both know what you just said Minerva—"
"Then why are you asking me to repeat it?" she snapped peevishly.
Sighing in exasperation Snape bit out, "Perhaps because the very notion that perfect Potter's family would destroy something of his is the most utterly ridiculous load of tosh I've heard all day."
Minerva had had enough, "Believe what you want, Severus. Nothing I can say will ever change your mind on anyone with the last name Potter — we both know that." She turned back to her meal and the pair sat in silence for several long minutes.
"You're meeting with the brat again, aren't you." Severus observed. Minerva turned to him, eyebrow raised.
"And what makes you say that?" she asked.
"Because I know you, Minerva," Snape began. "And if you truly believe whatever drivel the boy has fed you, then you won't let it go after one twenty minute conversation." Smirking slightly Snape added, "You can't let a mouse go once you've caught it."
Minerva bristled at the comment, before taking a calming breath. "I have nothing further to discuss with you, Severus." She said finally. Snape frowned deeply at the remark, but let the issue go for the time being. After all, there were other ways to insert himself into this situation, he mused, casting a glance at the Headmaster sitting a few seats away.
(Time Skip: McGonagall's Office)
An extremely nervous Harry James Potter stood outside his Head of House's office moments before he was due for a meeting. Slowly he raised his fist and knocked softly on the door, praying against all odds for silence to come back.
Lady Luck had left him today though, as less than 30 seconds later Minerva immerged, clearly having expected him.
"Come in, Mr. Potter." She said, stepping aside for him to enter the altogether foreboding room.
Once in the room Harry's urge to run only increased. He felt like he was going to hurl; not only were Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore there but Snape was in the room. The potions master absolutely despised him—what in the name of Merlin had McGonagall been thinking bringing him?!
Dumbledore smiled serenely at him. "Good evening Harry." He greeted jovially, as though this was simply a casual gathering among friends.
Harry mumbled a muffled "Hi Professor." before taking what he assumed to be his designated seat. He sat in the silence trying very hard not to squirm as Professor McGonagall took the seat across from him, Snape and Dumbledore on either side.
Finally McGonagall broke the heavy silence. "I presume you know why you're here Harry?" he nodded. "And do you have any questions for me before we begin?" Slowly he nodded again, fear in his eyes.
Slightly surprised, but nonetheless content to answer any questions he had, Minerva asked what he wanted to know.
Harry replied in a voice they all had to strain to hear, "Why is Professor Snape here?"
Minerva barely contained a scowl and a sigh. 'Why indeed.' she thought annoyed. Severus had gone behind her back and implored Albus to let him attend, and of course Albus would never deny Severus anything for Merlin knew what reason.
Trying to think of a plausible reason to tell Harry, Minerva was saved when Albus spoke. "Ah," he began. "You see Harry, my boy," Minerva noticed Harry's barely contained flinch. "Severus here came to me deeply concerned about some rumours he has heard concerning your home situation. Naturally, I suggested he attend this meeting so he might rest easy knowing he needn't worry."
Minerva nearly snorted, and Harry merely stared at the headmaster incredulous. Severus Snape having concern for a student, especially a Gryffindor— especially a Potter— was less likely than the man deciding to invest in pink robes.
Slowly Harry nodded. He may not believe what was being said, but he wasn't exactly in a position to argue. He knew better than to contradict his superiors. 'Not that it makes much difference now. McGonagall and Dumbledore'll likely throw me out themselves once they realize I'm just a freak.' He thought morosely.
Dumbledore spoke again, cutting through Harry's thoughts "Harry, it has become my unfortunate understanding that your relatives took it upon themselves to burn your Christmas presents. Is this true?"
Wide-eyed Harry struggled to respond. He knew it was true, of course he knew it was true. But he had long since been taught the consequences of speaking out against his relatives. He had only made the mistake once early in primary… When the Dursley's had found out he had been beaten within nanometers of his life. He remembered a great deal of white in his dazed state within the cupboard, bound and weak as he was.
White and wisps of dark red hair… He couldn't help but wonder now if he hadn't been recalling long forgotten memories of his mother. Everyone talked about Lily Potter's long red hair and bright green eyes. He couldn't think of anyone else he'd have seen at that age with red hair.
Anxiety grew rapidly like a muscle twitch within Harry until he felt dizzy. The walls felt as though they were closing in on him, and the whole of McGonagall's office began to feel very tiny. Tiny and constricting…Just like his cupboard. Freaks belong in cupboards after all. Harry could hear the blood rushing in his ears and his breathing was becoming shallow as he tried to think of any answer he could give.
He couldn't lie his way out of this. Not now. Not when McGonagall already knew the answer and was looking expectantly at him. He felt renewed anger toward Hermione for a moment for getting him in this situation, but he viciously squashed it as fast as it came. This was not Hermione's intention. He had to find his own way out of this box he'd gotten himself cornered in.
Snape, for his part, was internally scoffing at Dumbledore's words. 'Potter's presents were burned? Oh that's rich Albus. Surely you realize the boy is lying for attention. Precious Potter hasn't been in the spot light recently so needs to kick up a fuss.' The man's lip curled back in a sneer, his dark eyes filling with contempt.
Severus would not allow himself to know, to see, that Harry never truly got anything. Not presents, not love, not even the barest forms of a comforting touch. The one time Hermione had hugged him had been the first hug he remembered in his life. That was the closest he'd ever gotten. And as far as Harry was concerned it was as close as he'd ever get.
Harry knew he didn't deserve presents. He had been reminded nearly daily through his upbringing that freaks did not deserve anything. He was scum. He was worthless. Gifts and kindness were for good, upstanding people not freaks. So Harry got in the habit of giving away nearly anything he'd ever gotten; his father's cloak and Hedwig among the only exceptions.
Finally an extremely soft "Yes" escaped Harry's lips in response to the headmaster's question. Silence followed the response as questions began to circulate around all of the professors' minds. Harry, for his part, was trying furiously to stay conscious and stop the impending panic attack from occurring.
AN:/ Well… there we go, ball is officially sort of rolling. If any of you are reading this as the updated version as opposed to for the first time, I hope I got the characterization better this time. Younger me was much worse with the finer details like believable character interactions.
For you lovely people reading for the first time I apologize in advance for any shit writing between here and more recently posted things. But I really do appreciate any and all forms of criticism— it's how I fuel my self-deprecation haha.
Cheers,
GGUC