Don't own Harry Potter, the books, the movies, etc. I own this plot.
Elements of that story will appear, but this Harry Potter is different from that Harry Potter. And by that, I mean the one written by J.K. Rowling.
Warnings: FemHarry, abuse (ABUSE IS WRONG.), Good/guardian Snape.
Six years passed, but it still felt like yesterday when he celebrated Harriet's birthday with Lily. Severus stared at the ceiling in his room. He should get some sleep, but for some merlin damned reason, he couldn't sleep. He turned his head and glanced at his clock: 2:34 A.M.
He glared at the time, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep. His eyes opened when a voice from the fireplace called out, "Severus! Severus, your presence is urgently needed!"
He would not admit that he threw back his covers almost gratefully for the distraction. He would not, and anyone who so much as hinted at that would face his wrath. Thinking about ways to get back others usually made him feel more energized. He sneered as he entered his living room, his mood turning sour. Albus Dumbledore was paying him a fire call.
"Albus, to what do I owe for this…visit?"
"Severus," Dumbledore rushed on, the flames besides his head dancing as it reacted to his emotions. "Quickly, I need you to go to 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey."
Severus frowned. He knew that house, much to his displeasure, because Lily refreshed and added on to his memory of her darling big sister Tuney as she and he went to get the presents during the party. Petunia was not a pleasant child, and she hadn't gotten any better over the years. Why would Dumbledore need him to pay a go to Lily's horse of a sister?
"Severus," Dumbledore said sharply, "It is a matter of life or death; I need you to go there immediately."
Severus nodded reluctantly, although he was getting curiouser by the minute, seeing Petunia again wasn't his idea of a good night.
"I would come if I could, but unfortunately Cornelius requires my presence — something to do with the ball hosted for the incoming ambassadors from Spain and France — and I cannot reach Minerva. She mentioned something about visiting family two weeks ago and I left a message, but I am unable to confidently confirm if she has seen my message and if she is on her way there. I understand that this is rather last minute and very late at night, but I need someone to go to Surrey. It is very important." If Severus didn't know better, he would have claimed that Dumbledore was babbling.
To shut Dumbledore up more than another reason, Severus snapped, "I'll go to Surrey as soon as I can, Albus. But why—"
Dumbledore hastily made a farewell and a thank you to Severus, leaving him kneeling in his fireplace without answers.
He straightened himself, sneered at the place where Dumbledore's head made out of flames had been, and grabbed black robes. If he was going to visit Petunia's house, he might have the chance of scaring the muggle.
But there was one extremely important question: how was he going to get there in the middle of the night?
Floo was out, since Petunia didn't have magic, and detested it. He had three options really for quick transportation: flying, apparition, or the Knight Bus. Apparition may do it, but seeing as how he had never been to 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey, he would probably splinch himself. Flying wouldn't be better, since he would have to pay close attention to details on his way, which would consume more time. The Knight Bus would have to do.
After he locked the door and cast a locking spell, he walked down to the street, made one quick look around, and stuck his wand arm out at the curb to summon the bus. The Knight Bus was a large triple-decker purple piece of metal and wheels that functioned as a vehicle.
"Welcome aboard! I'm Henry Shunpike, and I'll be your—" The man's smile froze as he took a closer look at Severus, obviously recognizing him. Dropping the smile the man said, "That'll be seven galleons, Snape."
Severus sneered at the man. He handed him three galleons as he said lowly, "You are fortunate that I do not have time to waste on an imbecile like you, who can't seem to remember the correct charging price for an adult wizard. Get me to Little Whinging, Surrey."
He didn't wait for a reply as he strode in the bus with a sneer on his face to keep the few other occupants from interacting with him. After, he settled himself down in a secluded part of the bus; the Knight Bus went into action. Soon, Severus heard Shunpike call out, "We're at your stop, Snape."
Severus ignored him as he made his way out of the vehicle. He had barely placed both feet on the ground, before that wretched vehicle left. Looking at the rows of houses, Severus scowled. Trust Petunia, to live in a neighborhood that practically screamed normalcy. He casted the disillusionment charm, and pursued down the road.
Eventually, he managed to find the house he was looking for. He barely stepped on the threshold, before a purr caught his attention. He looked down and quirked an eyebrow at the tabby cat. In a split second, the feline changed into the form of his colleague Minerva McGonagall.
"Severus; nice to see you out of your dungeons," Minerva nodded at him in greeting.
"Do you know why Albus wanted us here?" Snape asked. He didn't hate the Griffindor Head, who was one of the few outside of the old crowd who treated him decently.
"Merlin knows how that man thinks." She replied, her lips thin. "I suppose we might as well go in and see what's wrong."
Snape stepped aside, dispelled the charm, and allowed Minerva to knock on the door. They waited, but no one answered. Minerva exchanged looks with Severus, before knocking once more. She knocked louder and more insistently than before, and this time the door opened a crack. A face peeked through. It was a child, a very large child.
"W-what do you want?"
"I am Professor McGonagall," Minerva introduced herself. "This is Professor Snape."
The boy opened his mouth, but a hand pulled him away. The door was yanked open wider, and an oddly familiar feminine voice hissed, "Get in, quietly."
Exchanging another look, Severus and Minerva entered the house. Bony thin hands clasped his arm, and pulled him into what appeared to be a sitting room. He pulled his arm free and whipped out his wand. He noticed Minerva doing the same.
Their wands were pointed at a thin blonde-haired woman with much more neck than the usual person, who looked oddly familiar to him. Her hair was matted on her head like it needed a good washing, which was unusual compared to her neat and proper night gown. Behind her was a rather large boy, who seemed to be trying to hide behind his mother. Like the woman, his eyes were red as though he had been crying.
"Snape," said the woman in a defeated voice.
"Mrs. Dursley, what's wrong?" Minerva inquired.
Severus stared at the woman. This woman was not like the Petunia he had grown up with. She had an air of defeat and pain while the Petunia he remembered was a fiery brat who knew the exact words that would hurt others, especially freaks. To be honest, she was more reminiscent of his mother. What on earth happened to Tuney?
"Get the girl, quickly." The woman said. "Take her far away from here."
"Tuney, what is going—"
A door was slammed shut. Petunia paled dramatically and who could only be her son, whimpered. Startled, Severus realized that if that huge boy was Petunia's son, then that would mean he was seven years old.
"Hide!" Petunia hissed. "Use your freakiness and be invisible."
Minerva looked affronted and was about to reply, when Severus snapped at Minerva. "Do as she says."
Severus re-casted the disillusionment charm and a heat-beat later Minerva did as well. None too soon, for a horribly obese man entered the room. He gave Petunia a look that, Severus supposed, was to have covey affection, but looked more like maniacal. The boy let out another whimper and the man turned his attention to him.
"Dudders, what are you doing up from bed, boy?" The man said in a frosty tone, his face turning redder.
"Dudders just wanted a cup of water, V-v-Vernon." Petunia stuttered.
"Is that so?" Vernon grinned. Petunia and the boy stiffened at his smile, "Atta boy, Dudley. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your mum."
The boy nodded curtly, his eyes looking away from his father, "Y-yes S-sir."
The man frowned. He marched up to the boy and pulled him away from his mother. Severus could see that the man's grip was meant to hurt. There was a smug gleam in his eyes as his son stared at the ground.
"What did I say about stuttering?" The man said in a deceivingly sweet voice.
"N-not to do it," the boy whispered.
"Why don't you go back to bed, dear?" Petunia said quickly. She wringed her hands, "I'm sure you're tired."
"Don't worry Pet; I just need to do something." Vernon said. He waved a finger at Dudley's face. "Remember boy, normal men don't stutter."
"Yes sir." He said to the ground.
Vernon took a few steps away from his son, and Petunia let out a sigh of relief. The man paused and marched back to the boy, whose hopeful eyes dimmed as his father returned. The man gave a wide smile, and smacked the back of his head. The boy fell, clutching his head. The man leaned over and gave the boy a few more slaps, followed by a sharp kick in the gut, before straightening himself. To Severus's disgust, the pig was pleased with himself.
"That outta keep it in your head." He chortled, before walking over to Petunia. Petunia had stood frozen as her husband hurt her son, her eyes wide with horror and fright. She barely kept herself from flinching as her husband pecked her cheek and climbed up the stairs to their bedroom. It was silent. The door's slam was pronounced. At the sound, Petunia sprang into action and clutched her son in a hug.
"I'm okay, mum. Dad let me off easy." The boy tried to smile to his silent sobbing mother, but it only made her cry harder.
"Mrs. Dursley," Minerva helped the woman stand and sit on the couch. She quickly transfigured a tissue into a handkerchief and gave it to Petunia. "There, there, it'll be alright."
As Minerva comforted the woman, Severus casted the muffliato charm and sent a ward up at the bedroom, where it would tell him if that beast of a man left the room. As his sleeve was tugged, Severus looked down and saw the red marks on Petunia's son's face. He scowled at them, but forced himself to drop it as the boy flinched. He made his face neutral, took a deep breath, and asked. "Yes?"
The boy tugged on his sleeve and stepped quietly into the hall. He looked over at shoulder at Severus, and gestured him to come over here. Noticing Petunia and Minerva not paying them attention — Petunia was arguing with Minerva about not helping her Dudley — he quietly followed the boy.
The boy stopped at a cupboard under the stairs, and pointed at the door. He persistently pointed at the door as his other hand mimed opening it. Severus eyed the handle, sure that it was locked.
He waved his wand and wordlessly casted the unlocking charm. Alohomora.
Carefully, he opened the door. The boy rushed past him and was barely able to fit in. His large girth covered a great amount of the room, giving Severus only a faint view of what he was doing. The boy gathered something in a blanket in his arms and came back out of the cupboard. He rushed to the sitting room with his arms protectively over the bundle. Free to look at the empty cupboard, Severus inhaled sharply.
There was blood on the walls, the walls, and the piece of furniture that he could only conclude to be a mattress with a threadbare blanket on it. The cupboard was small, dusty, and filled with spiders. Despite the clutter, judging by half hidden drawings and bed, it was someone's bedroom. His attention was caught by the blood that started from a corner to the cot and trailed out of the cupboard.
Severus quietly followed after the boy, his eyes narrowed on the trail of blood that was coming from the bundle. From his quick glance at the bundle, Severus could tell it was a child, a younger one judging by its size.
The boy was settling the bundle down on the ground gently. Petunia and Minerva noticed the new addition in the room, halting their quiet argument. While Minerva crouched down next to the boy, Petunia was lifting a cushion from the coach and pulling a white box out.
Severus came closer to the body and helped the others unwrapped the cloth from the body. He heard Minerva's sharp intake of breath and glanced at her. There was raw fury on her face. He followed her gaze, and was stuck dumbed with shock. In a second, the shock was replaced with horror and furry. He abruptly stood up and started to head towards the stairs, when Minerva grasped his arm, stopping him.
"Severus, remain calm."
"Calm?" said Severus lowly. "You expect me to calm down?"
He glared at Minerva as he pulled her hand away from him. He tightened his grip on his wand, and sneered, "Don't you dare tell me to calm down."
"I know this is horrible." Minerva said, "But you are of no help to her if you get sent to Azkaban. Regain your senses, Severus. No matter how badly you want to do it, you can't."
Severus glowered, but he didn't say anything. The professors turned their heads to Dudley as he spoke.
"H-harry, D-D-dad's gone now," He said with forced cheer in his voice. His efforts were rewarded with eyes blinking blearily at him. "W-we're going to be fine. W-w-won't we mum?"
"Keep talking to Harriet love," Petunia said softly.
Harriet. Bloody. Potter.
Severus looked at the bloody body, unable to connect it with the bubbly happy baby in his head. The girl's hair was cut roughly close to her scalp, and there was a large red bump in the middle of her forehead as though she was slammed repeatedly against a wall. Blood trailed down from the center of her head, slowly falling over her nose and mouth. She had a split lip, and bruises lined both of her arms. Some were purple, others blue, and still there were some fresh red ones mixed in. Her left leg was in an abnormal angle. Severus narrowed his eyes at her wrists and ankles.
"He tied her up," Severus clenched his jaw. "He tied her up so that as she struggled, her skin would cut into the binds. And judging by the angle of her leg, I believe it's broken."
Minerva was white with fury, her eyes flashing and her nostrils flaring. "I told him, I told him not to leave her here." She said mostly to herself. Louder, Minerva hissed, "Mrs. Dursley, how far has your husband gone?"
"He's not a pedophile," Petunia said her chest puffed up with indignation. Shortly her chest deflated as she looked at her niece, "At least, I don't think he is. He likes hitting her, but I don't think — he can't — Vernon isn't — he's not a pedophile." She finished pathetically.
"You think," Severus said through clenched teeth.
Minerva gave Severus a look. "Mrs. Dursley, we need you to tell us what has happen since Harriet was placed in your care."
"After I tell you, you'll take her away right?" Petunia pleaded.
Minerva frowned. "What about you and your son?"
"W-we can't leave, m-ma'am," Dudley said from where he crouched next to his cousin. "Aunt Marge is f-friends with a lot of people. If m-mum and I-I leave, then she'll get her friends to help d-dad find us. If I leave, dad will k-kill mum."
"Dudley," Petunia hugged him. "He won't kill me." Petunia looked at Severus. "Can you take my son as well?"
"NO!" Dudley looked at his mom with horror. "M-mum, I'm not leaving you alone! He'll k-kill you! M-mum? Mum!"
Petunia ignored her son pleas and looked straight at Severus. He clenched his jaw and looked away from her. "You are not staying here." Severus said finally.
"Indeed," Minerva huffed. "You and your son can stay with me or with my relatives until we have found an appropriate new home for you."
"We don't need charity." Petunia retorted. "If you can get us out of this house and away from Vernon and his family, I can handle it from there."
"Tuney," Petunia's head snapped to Severus. "Start from the beginning. Then we can talk about what we will do."
"Fine," Petunia said as her son muttered, "Tuney?"
"I first met Harriet when I opened the door on that November day. I was going out to retrieve the newspaper. Vernon always reads it during breakfast. If he didn't have it, he would rage. Of course back then, he used his words instead of his fists, and he aimed it at the newspaper boy. As his wife, I saw it as my duty to make sure that he wasn't displeased. Anyway, I saw little Harriet wrapped in a blanket in a basket on my doorstep. As I brought her inside, I noticed a letter in the basket. I didn't read yet, since I had to go get Vernon's paper."
"After I came back into the house, Vernon was up and standing in front of the baby. He turned around with a scowl on his face. He called out to me, inquiring about the baby. I told him that I just found the baby on our doorstep and there was a letter. Without asking, he took hold of the letter, ripped it open, and read it. As he was reading, I put down the paper, finished making breakfast, and woke up my Dudley. It was Vernon's bellow that caught my attention in the nursery. With Dudley in my arms, I went to Vernon."
"I asked him, 'What's wrong?' He simply held out the letter to me, too full with rage to speak. I settled Dudley down, and read the letter. After finishing it, I decided to be Harriet's guardian. I do admit that I did it reluctantly," Petunia quirked her lips bitterly, "A constant reminder of my perfect sister growing up in my own house with my family."
"Vernon was dead set against it. He insisted that we dump her in an orphanage or leave her in the streets. I felt that the protection that Harriet would give us overweighed the benefits of leaving her." Petunia looked sharply at Snape, "I have you to thank for telling Lily, who told me all about the horrible things that can happen to one who got on the bad side of a witch or wizard. Vernon was displeased until the first pension came in."
"After we first experienced her accidental magic, we moved her from Dudley's nursery to the cupboard under the stairs."
That tiny dirty pest-infested room was Harriet's bedroom? Snape stared at Petunia in disbelief, before glaring at her to continue. He'll have a word with her soon, just not now.
"For the next four years, Harriet did chores and garden work, while I let Dudley have fun. I taught her how to do her tasks, and worked alongside with her until she got the hang of it. Since I grew up with…someone like her…I was the best suited to making sure that she didn't do anything to destroy our image. Vernon was happy to ignore her, but after Dudley's sixth birthday…something happened."
"D-dad went d-daft." Dudley stuttered bluntly. "H-he came home one day, grabbed H-harry, who was setting the table, and threw her in the cupboard. He yelled at m-mum to not give any dinner to the f-freak, and told me between bites to teach the f-freak a lesson. Afterwards, h-he grabbed me and took me to the c-cupboard and made me w-watch him."
Minerva's eyes flared. "Watch what?"
"H-he b-beat her, b-beaten her up real bad," Dudley looked down at his cousin. "Then, he told m-me to follow his example. I-I started H-harry hunting after D-dad came to pick me up at school and saw her playing with the blonde girl across the street. D-dad went to talk to her dad after we came home. When he came back, h-he took H-harry back to the cupboard. W-when he left, his fists were b-bloody and he was smiling. No dinner for the f-freak, h-he told m-mum."
"At school, the girl s-stopped playing with H-harry, and started saying b-bad things about her. She said her daddy told her that it was wrong to play with H-harry and listed off reasons why it was b-bad. H-harry hunting started since I-I-I thought that if I-I and my friends chased H-harry around, then I-I could make d-dad happy that I-I was doing what he said and he would stop it with the l-lies and s-stop hitting H-harry. I mean h-he was happy with her being in pain, so if I did it, maybe he wouldn't hurt h..."
His voice trailed off as he stared at Harry's bright green eyes stared up at him. She opened her mouth with her eyes squinted as though it hurt it hurt to breath. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke, "Your Da' is sick, Dud."
She craned her head to fall, and stared up at a strict-looking woman, and a greasy haired, large hooked nose man, both wearing some funny clothes. "Who are—"
She broke off as a coughing fit started rising through her throat. Blood slid down her chin, much to the horror of everyone in the room.
"We need to get her to Poppy," Minerva said, "Mrs. Dursley, Mr. Dursley—"
"D-dudley, ma'am; m-my f-father is Mr. Dursley."
"Very well," Minerva nodded. "You and your mother should gather your things, or tell me what you wish to keep so I could summon them to you. We must leave this house soon. Harriet's condition needs immediate attention. Please, Mrs. Dursely, I'm afraid there's no time to argue, we must leave.""
Immediately, the boy went to the couch, removed the cushions, and dropped two large burgundy bags into the room. He looked at Minerva with a cocked eyebrow, and simply answered, "Mum."
Petunia smiled weakly, "I never managed to get the nerve to take the final steps."
"How unfortunate," Severus snarled, "Packing your things, yet not having the heart to move out. I suppose your niece would have proven a nice distraction while you and your son make your get away if you had managed to bring forth the will."
"Severus!"
Minerva would have said more to her younger colleague had Harry not release a groan of pain. Severus retained a blank expression as they were reminded that the clock was ticking for one Harry Potter.
"By the way, Minerva, did it escape your mind that Poppy is away with her family because her niece is terribly ill?" Severus drawled. "Making it highly unlikely to find her at the school?"
Minerva swore. "St. Mungos will have to do then. But we'll have a grand time getting the occupants to keep their mouths shut."
Severus said disdainfully, "St. Mungos is a building packed with people who can't wait to fire their tongues at the slightest hint of something out of the ordinary. No doubt tongues will wag at the sight of the Girl-Who-Lived, especially since very few have seen her."
"What do you suggest, then Severus?" Minerva asked in exasperation. "Shall we go and stay in your home? The home of a potion…master… with all sorts of potions…" Minerva drawled off thoughtfully.
"Minerva," Severus started with a sinking feeling in his gut. Perhaps, it would have been better to have said nothing about St. Mungos.
Suddenly, she grinned like a cat that caught the canary. "Yes, a potions master house will do quite nicely; stoked full of potions that can no doubt keep Harriet stable until I can find Poppy."
Severus growled. "You don't know where I live."
"Spinster's End," Minerva responded almost gleefully at the flush that started to appear on Severus.
Turning her back on him, Minerva waved her wand over the luggage, which abruptly minimized, and turned her attention to the Dursleys. "I need both of you to put your things in your pockets and hang on to me. It won't be a pleasant experience I'm afraid, but we will get out of the house. Severus, I need you to bring Harriet. Just bringing two others is going to tax my strength."
Seeing the stubbornness on Minerva's expression, Petunia wordlessly did as she said, grabbing Dudley's hand on the way. She hovered near Minerva, her body screaming how uncomfortable she was. Minerva clicked her tongue, grabbed her free hand, and Apparated. Severus looked down at Potter, noticing that more blood had been lost.
As gently but firmly as he could, he had her in his arms. Then he took down the spells and Apparated. His last thought was thinking that it was fortunate Vernon Dursley slept like a pig. His snores would have covered any noise they had made.