When the Malfoys arrive home, Narcissa sends Draco to his room and guides Harry into the living room. Harry was staring around the house in complete amazement. Harry had never been in such a nice house before; it was bigger than anything Harry was used to seeing. Harry was scared to touch anything out of fear of getting in trouble. For a child who'd just been removed from his home by strangers, he was being really quiet. Quiet to the point where it was almost unnerving. It was almost like the child didn't care what was or what was about to happen.
For a child who'd just been removed from his home by strangers, he was being really quiet. Quiet to the point where it was almost unnerving. It was almost like the child didn't care what was or what was about to happen.
Lucius stepped towards the fireplace in the next room and placed a floo call to his dear friend, Severus. Severus answered quickly, looking as aggravated as he always did before a school term.
"What is it, Lucius? I was working on a potion," Severus said, sounding annoyed but something in Lucius' expression caught him off guard.
"I need you to come through and bring any healing potions you can get your hands on," Lucius said, causing his friend's eyes to widen into a look of worry and concern.
"Is it Draco or Cissy?" Severus asked frantically.
"No, I'll explain once you get here," Lucius said, knowing Severus was the best person to handle Harry's treatment. He was the only person Lucius knew who would handle this with discretion. Severus had disappeared but Lucius could hear jars shifting and cupboard doors opening and closing. Within a few minutes, Severus had stepped through the floo network and was staring at Lucius expecting an explanation.
"My family and I attended a dinner with a family called the Dursleys," Lucius started; when he saw the man's eyebrows rise, he knew Severus knew who he was talking about. "While we were there, we learned that Harry Potter had been left in their custody."
Severus' expression was that of shock and terror.
"What was that old coot thinking? Since you are asking for healing potions; I'm going to guess the Potter boy is here," Severus stated in a dull tone. "How bad is it?"
Lucius didn't answer; instead, he guided Severus into the living room where she was rinsing the deep, inflamed welts on Harry's back. It was nearly impossible to find any skin on Harry's chest, back and arms that weren't covered in bruises, welts or cuts. Harry was so thin that his skin practically clung to his bones. Harry seemed confused by the kind treatment he was receiving from Narcissa who looked ready to burst into tears at the sight of such an abused child.
Narcissa was whispering quietly to the child, trying to help him relax but the child was too suspicious of the kind words and treatment. He stared at the adults as though he was waiting for them to start beating him.
Lucius glanced at Severus who appeared completely speechless for a few moments before springing into action.
After the examination was complete, Severus discovered malnutrition, broken ribs, poorly healed fractures, and several deep bruises. After taking pictures to document the extent of the abuse, Severus put Harry into a deep sleep before he began healing Harry's injuries. Bones had to be reset, bruises needed to be mended and Harry needed rest to be able to deal with everything that was happening. Lucius had been voicing concern as to why Harry was being so quiet with everything that had happened and Severus had concluded that the child was in shock.
"He's going to need nutritional potions to help bring his weight up. You might want to consider putting him on a light, blended diet until he can handle heavier foods," Severus said. Severus was used to handling abused students at Hogwarts; he saw them so often in Slytherin that he reacted automatically to them. "He's probably going to be quite nervous when he wakes up. The shock should have worn off by then and he won't be as quiet. I'll come back tomorrow with the paperwork to issue a formal complaint with children's welfare from both muggle and magical communities."
Lucius gave a terrifying grin to Severus who could only wonder what the blonde man had planned for the family.
"Yes, I have plans for them as well. I have ties with so many branches of government that their lives will be hell," Lucius informed Severus, knowing that the Dursleys were going to regret everything wrong they did to Harry. "I am planning to put several things into motion tomorrow. Life as the Dursleys knew it is officially over."
Narcissa had carried Harry up to a guest bedroom and put him in a fresh pair of pyjamas. Draco's clothes were a bit big on Harry but they fit much better than the clothes he was wearing before. Narcissa found herself surprised at just how light Harry was. Today was Harry's eleventh birthday and the fact that he was light enough for her to carry without help was terrifying.
When Harry woke up, he was scared but made no attempt to run from Narcissa.
"Hello, Harry. I am Narcissa Malfoy. You are at my house. Do you remember when my son found you tonight?"
Harry nodded slowly, watching Narcissa with a careful expression.
"I was doing chores and pretending I didn't exist when he came into the bathroom. I was very careful not to be heard, I promise," Harry said causing Narcissa's eyes to widen. The child thought he was in trouble for getting caught.
"Don't worry about it. It is a good thing we found you. You aunt and uncle had not right treating you the way they did and they are going to learn why what they did was wrong very soon," Narcissa promised, causing Harry to wonder what was going to happen to his relatives. He didn't like them but he didn't want them to die either.
"What's going to happen to them?" Harry asked. "They aren't going to get hurt, are they?"
Narcissa looked at Harry and decided it was best to be completely honest because the child also needed to know what his aunt and uncle did was wrong. "Not physically but they will be paying for their actions. They will have a very large price to pay."