Disclaimer – Isn't mine.

Chapter 3 - Explanations

Ron and Hermione stayed with Harry until Dumbledore returned late in the afternoon. Harry slept most of the time, only waking and looking around fearfully when the smell of wonderfully cooked food permeated the hospital wing.

Ron and Hermione ate their meal trying to encourage Harry to do the same but Harry refused, burying his head in his hands until Ron and Hermione finished and moved to the far side of the wing, ostensibly to finish their homework before classes started in two days.

Only then did he pick up the bowl of soup and sip at it slowly. It landed back on the bedside table in an instant the moment Dumbledore strode back into the wing. The Headmaster realised almost instantly what had happened and immediately moved quietly to sit in the chair beside the bed.

He looked calculatingly at Harry for a moment before picking up the bowl and taking a spoonful of soup for himself. 'This is very good Harry, isn't it?' he said, taking another spoonful. After a few more he could see the want in Harry's green eyes.

'Would you like some more?' he asked gently, swallowing another mouthful and holding out the spoon.

Harry seemed to be having an internal war with himself.

'I won't hurt you Harry.' Dumbledore said softly. 'It is your soup after all.'

Harry looked furtively around the room before reaching tentatively out to grasp the spoon. Most of the soup landed on the sheets between the bowl and Harry's mouth but he did manage to eat a small amount and the beaming smile on the Headmaster's face encouraged him to try another mouthful.

Twenty minutes later the bowl was empty and Harry was basking in the look of pride on Dumbledore's face.

'Harry, I have something to show you, will you come with me?' Albus asked gently.

The fearful look returned instantly. 'What is it?' He asked warily.

'I have a special room for you. It's in my tower, next to my room, where you will be safe from everyone.' Dumbledore explained.

'A room?' Harry asked hesitantly.

Dumbledore nodded, sensing Harry's reluctance. 'It's a big room with special pictures on the wall. There is a door, with no lock on it. You can open it and leave when ever you want. But it has a hidden door so no one but you and I will know where you are; so that you're safe.'

'No lock?' the small voice was still wary.

Albus sighed. 'Do you trust me, Harry?' he asked. Harry looked thoughtfully at him for several moments before nodding slowly. 'Why don't you just come and look and if you don't like it you can come back here. I swear to you.'

'Alright.' Harry said finally, taking the offered hand and climbing slowly out of bed.

The odd group, because of course, Ron, Hermione and Poppy had to come, trailing several yards behind them, made their way slowly and quietly towards the headmaster's tower. The gargoyle jumped aside as Dumbledore approached and Albus gently tugged Harry up the stairs and into the office. They crossed to a large portrait of Rupert Dangerfield, a headmaster from the seventeenth century, and Albus gave the password, gesturing for Poppy and the others to stay downstairs.

'Sanctuary.' He said quietly.

Harry gave a small smile at the password as the portrait swung open and together they climbed the staircase. Albus came to the top and opened two doors that were opposite each other.

'This room is mine, Harry.' Albus told him. 'The door will always be open should you need me. This room is yours.' He finished, pushing open a door that obviously had no lock, it didn't even have a handle, and gesturing for Harry to go inside.

Harry looked wary about walking in and Dumbledore guessing again, walked in first. His question was answered when Harry followed him in but made sure to stay between him and the door. Albus watched Harry's face carefully as the boy carefully checked the door to see that it, as promised, it didn't contain a lock before looking up and around the room.

Harry's eyes brightened as he took in the charms on the walls depicting open fields and snow covered forests and even a beach. Dumbledore had spent hours on them basing them in the same charms they used to decorate nurseries and building on that.

The room contained a large comfortable bed, a desk and another door that led to a bathroom.

'I hope you can feel comfortable here, dear boy.' Albus said softly.

Harry glanced back at the headmaster and smiled shyly. 'Thank you, Professor.' He whispered.

'Under the circumstances, Harry, I think Albus will be just fine.'

That shy smile made another appearance. 'Thank you, Albus.' The whisper was so quiet that Dumbledore barely heard.

'Is there anything you need Harry?'

Harry shook his head. 'No, thank you.'

'Stop thanking me, dear boy, we're like family now. I would do anything for you.' The words rang with sincerity and Harry swallowed. Albus could see the boy wanting desperately to believe him and hoped that one day he would without question.

'Now,' Albus went on, striding over to the fireplace and throwing some floo powder in. He ordered some more soup and some fruit. 'I have brought you some books and things. I thought you might like to read a bit. Just remember, you are safe here, no one but you and I know the password.'

Harry nodded. 'Thank you.' He said automatically.

Albus sighed. 'Do you want me to stay with you?'

Harry shook his head. 'No thank you Albus.' He whispered. 'I thought I might just take a nap. The walk has tired me out, but thank you for the room, for everything.' Albus smiled and headed towards the door, walking slower the closer he got to Harry.

Harry, knowing the headmaster was leaving and would have to walk through the door braced himself. Albus, watching Harry's breathing increase until it was almost painful, quickened his pace and slipped out the door.

'I'll see you soon, Harry.' He said gently.

Harry, his eyes screwed tightly closed and his jaw clenched, only nodded but Albus heard the sob of relief when the boy realised the door was still open and he wasn't locked in from the outside.

Albus waited just a few steps down the stairs to see whether Harry would close the door but instead he heard the boy lean up against the wall beside the open door and slide to the floor with a sigh, and with a small sigh of his own the headmaster walked slowly back down to his office.

'Is Harry alright, Professor?' Hermione asked as he stepped through the portrait.

'As he can be, Miss Granger. As he can be.' Albus replied distantly.

'The express just arrived, Albus. Can you leave your charge long enough to watch the sorting?' Poppy said, not a little sarcastically. She still thought the headmaster had done the wrong thing by swearing a wizard's oath to Harry no matter how much the boy needed it.

Albus didn't dignify the comment with a response, instead clasping the two Gryffindor's on the shoulder and steering them towards the door.

The trip down to the great hall was a silent one. Ron and Hermione were unsure of why the medi-witch was so angry about the headmaster's wish to help their friend, but were unwilling to broach the tense air around them to try and find out.

The rest of the staff were waiting when they arrived, McGonagall and Snape looked at the headmaster for confirmation of what Poppy told them was the truth.

'Later.' Was all Albus would say, and rather curtly at that, as the rest of the staff looked between the headmaster and his two most trusted professors in confusion.

Their attention was diverted however as the huge oak doors were thrown open and students began streaming in, all chattering madly. Minerva turned on her heel and strode off the meet the first years as the rest of the staff took their seats.

'Are you going to tell them Potter has been found?' Snape asked quietly.

'Probably not yet.' Albus murmured as he surveyed the hundreds of happy children and thought of the broken one all alone up above his office.

'You know that most of Slytherin will already know we have him, courtesy of Draco.'

Dumbledore nodded. 'Yes. Have you heard from Lucius?' he asked, effectively changing the subject.

Snape growled and rolled his eyes. 'Only the usual missive about how I should have been strong enough to ignore the Veritaserum and several ideas of how I can bring Potter back to them. Apparently he was quite the favoured toy and they desperately him back.'

Albus sucked in an angry breath and his eyes dropped to the table. His mind swirled with the visions that single sentence conjured and he only snapped out of it as Minerva walked swiftly up the centre aisle, a gaggle of first years following her.

The hat sang and the first years were sorted. Dumbledore, in between applauding for each newly sorted student, glanced between two particular seventh year Gryffindors and a single Slytherin seventh year that was smirking back at them maliciously. The rest of the upper year Gryffindors kept their eyes down, obviously Harry was missed more than he would ever know.

Albus knew, just by looking at them, that this year was going to be one filled with trouble. With another sigh he rose, the students quieting almost instantly as they turned towards him expectantly.

'Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I trust your holidays were enjoyable and you are all ready for another year of fun and learning. Before we tuck in to this fabulous feast I have a few announcements to make. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, we have a new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher this year.' Several of the older students snickered and Albus gave them a bright smile.

'Nymphadora Tonks has kindly agreed to fill the position. I trust you will show her the respect an Auror of her experience deserves.' Tonks stood up and most of the students, aside from the Slytherins, clapped and then laughed as she knocked over her pumpkin juice as she sat down. Snape did his usual and scowled at her but no one expected any different.

'Any and all Weasley products have been added to Mr Filch's list of banned products. A list of which are posted on his door, and continuing onto the wall next to it.' He added, his eyes twinkling. Another series of snickers erupted at the comment. The Weasley twins had indeed been very busy.

'The forbidden forest is just that, forbidden and I expect all….' Dumbledore's voice trailed off and his eyes became seemingly distant. The students moved restlessly as they waited for the Headmaster to speak. Suddenly he seemed to shake his head.

'Excuse me. Minerva, please continue.' Was all he said before moving his chair out of the way and walking rapidly from the hall.

The trip to his office, even with the shortcuts, seemed indeterminable. The gargoyle jumped out of the way before he reached it and he quickly climbed the stairs and opened his door. He could hear Harry's cries before he even got the portrait open.

'No, please! Don't! No!' Harry screamed and Albus quickly hurried up the stairs and into the boy's room, kneeling at the side of the bed, being careful not to touch him.

'Harry, dear boy, you're safe.'

'No!' Harry screamed as he curled tighter. Albus could see the sweat pouring off the young man and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around him. 'Please. No! It hurts. Please stop!'

'Harry, dear boy, listen to me. You're safe here, I promise. There is no one there. No hands, no Death Eaters. You're at Hogwarts, with me. You're safe.'

Harry's trembling increased and Albus knew he was waking up. He knew he was awake when the tiny form froze before the eyes blinked open and darted wildly. Dumbledore's heart broke at the look of fear and pain in the boy's eyes.

'Shhh, Harry. It's alright. You're safe here with me. It's just Albus. No one is going to hurt you.' The headmaster continued in this soothing vein for sometime before he saw Harry start to relax.

'Safe?' Harry whispered.

'Safe.' Albus confirmed, sighing inwardly as Harry's tiny hand snaked out from the covers and tightened almost convulsively on his own.

'Oh god.' Harry whispered as tears began steaming down his face.

'Harry, I'm sorry. I won't leave you again.' Dumbledore said pleadingly, desperately trying to figure out how to halt the flood of tears.

Harry shook his head. 'No, not your fault. I know you have things to do.' Harry whispered, the tears not stopping even if there was no other sign the boy was actually crying.

'No, my dear boy. My first wish is to be with you. I will only leave if you tell me too.' Albus made sure he worded the phrase as a wish and not a duty.

Harry's eyes screwed up tight. 'Please Professor, I need to be alone, please.' He said softly.

Albus' heart sank and he slowly stood up. 'I'll be just downstairs if you need me Harry.' Harry nodded but didn't open his eyes. Albus sighed softly, giving the boy's hand a final squeeze and moving from the room, making sure to leave the door open. He barely reached the top step before he heard Harry break down in sobs, the cries tearing at the venerable old wizard's heart and it was several minutes before Albus could collect himself and continue down to his office.

Harry had stopped crying over an hour before and fallen into another restless sleep. Albus checked on him several times before finally sitting down behind his desk and burying his head in his hands.

A soft knock sounded at his door. 'Albus.' Minerva's head poked around the door. 'May we come in?'

Albus raised his head, showing the weary expression that had graced his features since Harry's disappearance so many months before. 'Come in.' he gestured to the chairs around his desk as the staff all filed in one after the other. 'I owe all of you an explanation for my rather abrupt departure.'

'What happened, Albus?' Pomona Sprout asked sitting down beside the head of Ravenclaw and looking expectantly at the headmaster.

'Yes, in all my years I have never seen you leave the hall during the welcoming feast.' Flitwick squeaked.

Albus glanced at both Severus and Minerva with tired eyes and sighed.

'So it's true then.' The potions master murmured before Albus could speak. 'Poppy was telling the truth.'

'Severus, I had to. The boy has no one.'

'But really, Albus; a Wizard's Oath?' Snape hissed incredulously.

'What is going on?' Amelia Vector said crossly, several others voicing the same question.

Albus sighed again and held up his hands for silence. 'I will explain to you all.' He said placating, waiting as they all took seats. 'Just over a week ago we found out where Voldemort was holding Harry Potter.'

'He's alive?'

Albus nodded. 'Only Severus, Minerva, Poppy and myself knew. It wasn't that I didn't trust any of you, but what you didn't know you couldn't tell, even under Veritaserum.'

'Is he still there?' Flitwick asked.

Albus shook his head. 'No we rescued him several days later. He has spent that time in the hospital wing and then this afternoon he was moved to a room within mine.'

'Yours? Why yours?' Rolanda Hooch finally spoke up. 'Surely he would be better off with his friends?'

'Yes, Albus, why don't you tell them that?' Poppy said snidely.

Albus turned cold blue eyes on the medi-witch. 'Why don't you tell them the condition Harry was in when he arrived?' He commanded, surprising most in the room who had never heard him speak to the medi-witch like that before.

Poppy sighed knowing she had no choice. 'Fine' She huffed. 'He was heavily malnourished. He had eight broken ribs, his left ankle had been broken twice, both shoulders were dislocated, the bones in both hands had been shattered and healed and shattered again several times. He also had burns, cuts and gashes carved into practically every piece of available skin and bruising over ninety percent of his body.'

'Mother of Merlin.' Pomona said in a horrified whisper.

'Tell them the rest.' Albus kept his piercing blue eyes fixed on the medi-witch.

'Albus, I don't think that's.'

'Tell them.' The headmaster growled, again startling most in the room who had never heard the man speak in such a tone to anyone.

Poppy glared back at him. 'He had been raped, probably hundreds and hundreds of times. Used and abused so badly that you couldn't even touch him unless he was stupefied. Even under a strong Dreamless Sleep potion he would flinch violently away if you touched him.'

'That still doesn't explain why he is in your rooms, Albus.' Rolanda Hooch piped up.

'He's in my rooms, Rolanda, because I gave him my word. I gave him a Wizard's Oath, on my magic no less, that I would protect him and cherish him. That from now on he was the pivotal point in my life.' Albus said quietly.

Not a sound penetrated the stunned silence that permeated the room and it took several moments before anyone spoke.

'Are you out of your mind?' Minerva cried.

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. 'I have never been saner.'

'But the students, Albus; what of the school?'

'The school will be fine. If the Board of Governors decides to remove me then I will go, but Harry will come with me. I am his guardian now.'

'But Albus, you can't give up the school. It is your life.'

'It is part of my life.' Albus agreed. 'But for the first time, it is not all. I have put what's best for Harry behind what was best for the wizarding world from the moment his parents died and this is the end result. I will not fail him again. If any of you do not agree then you are welcome to contact the Board. I'm sure Lucius Malfoy will be very happy to hear from you.'

Suddenly a blood curdling scream tore through the air and Albus shot out of his chair with a speed that belied his age. He murmured the password and walked swiftly up the stairs.

The teachers shifted nervously as Harry's screams continued to filter through the air. They heard Albus talking softly as they abated and the stone staircase also carried the sound of Harry's panicked breathing.

'Severus.' Albus called out gently. The potions master rolled his eyes and stepped through the portrait.

Several minutes later he returned and they waited another quarter of an hour before the headmaster finally came down.

'Is he alright?' Minerva asked.

Albus shook his head and sat down. 'Not really. I managed to get him to swallow some dreamless sleep but only after having Dobby take some first. I've left them both asleep, but how long it lasts for in Harry's case is anyone's guess.'

'Will he come back from this?' Flitwick squeaked.

Albus glanced at the closed portrait. 'I don't know, Filius. I just don't know.'

Ron and Hermione very quietly let the sixth and seventh year Gryffindors know that Harry had been found but not exactly what had happened. The others could guess that he was in a bad way but they were still happy that he was safe and it was a cheerful group that let the great hall as the meal finished and the teachers all left.

Unfortunately their mood didn't last long as a drawling voice halted their progress outside the oak doors.

'Well, if it isn't the Weasel and the Mudblood. Happy to have your little whore back? I'm sure he was very happy to see you.' Malfoy smiled maliciously at the silently fuming Ron.

'We don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy.' Hermione said firmly before Ron could answer.

'Why Potty, of course. He was such a good little whore while the Dark Lord had him.'

'SHUT UP.' Ron bellowed, moving to punch the Slytherin but finding his hands pinned to his sides by Neville and Dean.

Malfoy smirked nastily. 'You should try him. He was really good. Nice and tight.' Hermione stepped forward and slapped him so soundly his cheek instantly blossomed into red.

'Don't you ever say that again.' She hissed.

Malfoy held his hand to his rapidly bruising cheek and leant forwards, lowering his voice. 'Keep a good eye on your friend, Mudblood, my father got quite attached to him and he wants him back. And what a Malfoy wants, he gets.'

Hermione's eyes widened and she paled.

'That's right, Mudblood. He got in once, he can get in again. Better keep little Potty close by. Not that that worked out that well last time.' He added cruelly before spinning on his heel and stalking towards the dungeons, his two hulking shadows following faithfully.

'Hermione?' Ron whispered, shrugging off the holding arms and pulling her close. Malfoy's voice had been so quiet he hadn't heard what the Slytherin said.

'I need to see Harry.' She whispered, her eyes fearful. Ron nodded, turning slightly.

'Go on ahead, guys. We'll see you in the common room.' He told the others before keeping his arm around Hermione and pulling her gently towards the headmaster's office.

'Do you think Malfoy was telling the truth about Harry?' Neville asked quietly.

'God, I hope not.' Dean admitted anxiously.

The gargoyle wouldn't move for them no matter how many sweets they named so they just waited, knowing a teacher would find them and let them in.

Almost an hour later the gargoyle jumped aside startling them and the entire staff filed out of the office. From the looks on their faces the two Gryffindors guessed that they had just been informed about Harry.

'Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, I suppose there is a good reason for you to be out of your tower after curfew.' The potions master sneered.

Hermione swallowed and dropped her eyes but Ron stared back defiantly at him. 'Yes sir, we need to see Professor Dumbledore.'

'Surely it can wait until morning.'

'It's quite important, Sir.' Ron added.

'I find it hard to believe that it could be dire enough that it can't wait.'

Hermione looked up, her eyes filled with tears. 'Please Professor Snape.' She pleaded softly.

There was something in the girl's eyes that worried the potions master and reluctantly he nodded and reversed his direction.

Albus looked up as the three entered. 'Severus, what is it?'

'Headmaster, these two needed to see you urgently.' He said, his tone decidedly sarcastic.

'Please Professor Dumbledore, can I see Harry?' Hermione whispered.

Snape glared at her. 'You said you needed to see Professor Dumbledore.' He growled.

Hermione ignored him, two tears falling down her cheeks. 'Please sir, I don't need to speak with him, I just want to see he's okay. Please.'

'What happened, Miss Granger?' Dumbledore asked kindly.

Hermione shook her head and the two adults could see she had started trembling. 'Please sir, can I just see that he's okay?'

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly and he nodded, getting up from behind the desk and opening the portrait. Hermione flashed him a wane smile and ducked quietly up the staircase.

'What happened to upset her so, Mr Weasley?' Albus asked, holding the portrait open.

Ron's face returned to its previous shade of red. 'Malfoy.' He ground out, tossing a glare at the potions master.

Severus and Albus exchanged glances, an action that didn't go unnoticed.

'That's right Professor.' Ron snarled. 'Your little golden boy Malfoy ran off at the mouth as usual. Said that he had raped Harry. That he was really good and I should try it.' Ron practically had steam coming from his ears. 'He said something else to Hermione but I didn't hear it. All I know is that all the blood drained from her face and she looked as if she could barely stand.'

'He said that his father wanted Harry back and that he was coming for him.' Hermione said from the bottom step.

'Is he okay?' Ron asked. Hermione nodded and crossed the room into his arms, burying her head in Ron's chest.

Suddenly an alarm sounded in the office, the ringing piercing through the air.

'Oh dear.'