Chapter Four: Let's Be Honest

As we walked from Hogsmead to Hogwarts I decided that I was not going to take Potter to Dumbledore in the state he was in, so upon arriving at Hogwarts I took him to my quarters in the dungeons, and got him some healing potions to help him get a little more comfortable. I hoped he would relax and answer some of my questions but he seemed to be too anxious so, I decide to sit with him in the sitting area for a few minutes and let him come to terms with what he had just been through. I new he was embarrassed and angry that it had been me of all people who had witnessed his abuse. I don't blame him, I had not been pleasant towards the Gryffindors, him especially, but that was under Dumbledore's orders. I had to make sure people believed I hated the boy because I was not only a spy for the light, I was the head of house for Slytherin Even though not all, but most of their parents were Death Eaters. No they did not know about the prophecy but they all paid close attention to me, and how I acted around the slayer of the Dark Lord was important for my image.

Of course the boy didn't know that. I had no expectations for him to have any trust in me after the torment I had put him through, but what I can do is get him someplace safer; away from those vile muggles. So after a moment of silence I began my questioning.

"How Long have your relatives been abusive towards you?"

I thought the question was straight forward enough to get us where we need to be. He glared at the coffee table in front of him then looked to me and then towards the door. Of course I had already locked spelled the door to stay closed until I gave the password.

I guess he realized even if the door wasn't locked I would be much too close for him to get a good start so he slumped into the couch and mumble out "For a while."

I knew he would be too ashamed to give any informative answers so, I had to pick at his nerves, make him angry so he would be too emotional to keep things from slipping out. "Obviously Mr. Potter, they seemed very comfortable with making you cry."

"I did not cry!" He shouted in outrage.

"No? How long did it take for you to learn not to?" I stated as I stood to tower over him.

His face was red and his chest was heaving. He didn't answer.

His eyes made it difficult for me to keep my emotions hidden, they were Lilly's. I wanted to help the boy but I knew he wouldn't let me so I had to give him orders and force him to help himself.

"When we go to the headmaster's office I will put the memories of what I saw today into a pensive. We will all see how bad it really was, you will not be able to hide it from me nor Professor Dumbledore."

His eyes sparked with anger and he yelled "It is none of your bloody business Snape! You have no right to barge into my life and─"

I cut him off by pinching his ear and smoothly saying "You will do well to remember who you are talking to brat! You will cease your tantrum at once and address me with respect!"

I waited for him to answer of his own accord and when he didn't "Have I made myself clear or do I need to treat you like the toddler you are acting like and turn you over my knee for a bottom warming?"

His Glare intensified and he ground out "You wouldn't."

I leveled him with a glare that terrified even the most grotesque of Death Eaters and warned "I would, and if you do not show me some respect, I will. Now I will not repeat myself again. Do. You. Understand?"

I articulated each word of the question giving no room for doubt as to what I wanted.

I believe he wished I would drop dead at the dark glower that he aimed at me but, he wisely answered my question. "Yes sir."

The words were said with as much venom as he could muster. I released his ear almost letting loose a smirk. He should be seething inside now and if his father was anything to go by keeping his words to himself would soon be impossible and he would spill his guts out within the hour giving me enough information to take to Dumbledore.

I retook my seat as did he and continued on with questions. "When is the last time you were fed?"

His emotions were completely out for all to see.

How does Dumbledore expect him to fight the Dark Lord if every thing he thinks or feels is presented by his face?

Embarrassment was rolling off of him in waves. "Since the End-of-Term Feast."

I was shocked. "You haven't had any food since then?"

He answered with a shake of his head. I knew the physical abuse was bad but to add starvation was beyond abuse; in was inhuman to let someone more or less a child starve to the point that this one is, and the fact that there are two people living in the same house that are tremendously obese people living in the same house as him shows that there was certainly enough food to go around. I was incredulous to the fact he was even able to function. I immediately called for a house elf and asked for a meal for the boy. While the meal was being retrieved I went into my personal store room and got a nutritional potion that would help him gain weight, aid with his appetite, and give him a healthy amount of vitamins; he would have to take one every time he ate for several week to get to a healthy weight. I returned and handed the vile to the boy and told him to drink it at once so when his meal arrives he will be able to eat enough. The boy for once didn't ask questions and did as he was told. Then when the meal arrived and he began to eat I had to admonish him several times to slow down so he did not become sick.

When he had finished eating the meal vanished and I began asking more questions. "Who do the clothes you are wearing belong to?"

He looked down, his face becoming red again and then looked up at me and said "I wear Dudley's hand me downs. I don't get clothes of my own accept my Hogwarts uniforms and robes."

I wanted to make sure I had all I needed to go to Dumbledore. "So what I am hearing is that you are physically abused, mentally abused, emotionally abused, and neglected in several different ways?" he nods yes then I ask my final question. "Did they lock you in the cupboard under the stairs?"

He looks away from me and, with a shaky voice, answers "Yes."

I knew he had had more than enough and ordered "You will stay here while I go and speak with Professor Dumbledore, I would encourage you not to touch anything and to stay in these quarters, I will be placing a charm on the door that will allow me to tell if anyone but me opens it and if it alerts me and I come down here to find you have left you will very much regret defying me is that understood?"

He looks to me in defeat when he answers "Yes Sir."

I look at him in surprise because of his compliance then quickly sober at the exhaustion I see in his eyes. "You should rest. I will wake you when I return from the headmasters office."

With that said I turn on my heal preparing myself for a confrontation. I may be disgusted at the muggles for their treatment of the boy but I am absolutely livid at the headmaster because he knew it was happening and turned the other cheek.