Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter that privilege belongs to JK Rowling

Warning: This story mentions abuse and has male on male sex themes so if you don't like it then I suggest you stop reading it

Pairings: HP/SS, RW/HG, NL/LL, DM/PP, GW/DT

Summary: Harry is been abused by his relatives, The Weasley are mad at Harry for hurting Ginny, Severus Snape gets de-aged and has a surprising sorting. There are no horocrux in this story. AU, OOC.

A/N: Thank you for those who have taken their time to review.

Beta: I do not have one but anyone who would like to be please feel free to PM me.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

The day went slowly for Severus; he had not seen Harry since his talk with Granger that went so terribly wrong for him.

Severus desperately wanted to find him and he started to head up to Gryffindor tower when he heard Albus call out to him.

"Lionel" Albus said his eyes twinkling at him while Severus glared at him.

"Headmaster"

"Did you enjoy tour first day of classes?"

"No, I hate this infernal idea of yours making me re-do my last year at Hogwarts and what's more why did you have the stupid bloody hat sort me into Gryffindor?"

"Come now Lionel you are braver than what you think you are" Albus said but Severus had a feeling there was more to it and he was about to say something when Albus spoke again.

"Harry my boy, how are you?" Albus said cheerfully and Severus looked up to see Harry coming down the stairs.

He took particular note of Harry, he looked like he did this morning but once again Severus detected something was off and took a closer look at Harry.

It seem that Harry was hiding something, to anyone else he looked as if he was normal but to Severus who spent years as a spy he could pick when things are off and something was severely off with Harry.

What Severus notice that was off about Harry was a slight grimace each time he took a step suggesting he had done something to his leg, the next was that Harry seems to be breathing with some difficulty and lastly his eyes; Harry eyes always seem so bright but now they were dull.

"I fine Professor" Harry said and Severus picked up the slight pain that was betrayed in his voice and he wasn't sure that Albus did.

"Excellent my boy" Albus said with a smile and clapped his hands together "Come let's eat I hear they are having Sheppard's pie tonight" and with that Professor Dumbledore walked off to the great hall.

Harry watched as Dumbledore walked away with a slight skip on his step and shook his head slightly and continued on down the steps and pass Lionel.

When Harry walked passed Severus it brought him back from his musing.

"Harry" Severus said.

"Yes Lionel" Harry replied looking back at the boy he felt attracted to.

"Do mind if I walk with you?" Severus asked knowing how dumb it sounded but he did promise himself that he would try and be friends with Harry.

"Sure" Harry said giving Lionel a smile and Severus felt that his heart skipped a beat, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Both boys walked to the great hall together both unaware that they were both lost in their thoughts of the other.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER" Someone screeched out his name and as looked up her saw one very angry red head by the name of Ginny Weasley heading at him.

WHACK!

Harry felt the sting across the left side of his face more then what it should have been for that side of his face was already severely bruised from the beating he took a couple of days ago but he wasn't about to show Ginny how much it really hurt so he turned back to face her.

"YOU ARE ONE SICK BASTARD...I DON'T KNOW WHAT I EVER SAW IN YOU, YOU SICK PRICK" Ginny screamed at him causing everyone in the hall to go quiet.

"Ginny I never..."

"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR LIES" Ginny said with tears streaming down her face.

"Why Harry? Why? Just tell me" she said quietly almost begging him to say what she heard wasn't true.

"It's nothing to do with Ginny, I never should have dated you" Harry said calmly

"Dam right Harry do you know how humiliating this is knowing your ex boyfriend broke up with me because he already knew he was gay" Ginny said raising her voice again.

"Ginny I..."

WHACK!

"Don't you ever come near me again Harry" she said after hitting him again then storming off.

Severus could not believe what had happen and he turns to face Harry to see how bad his face was after been hit twice.

He turned his head and took a closer look. But he saw shocked him, there was nothing on his face, not even a red mark from where Miss Weasley had hit him twice and there should have been. Then it was like a heard of hippogriffs hit him – Harry was wearing a glamour and he couldn't believe he had not picked it up before this for usually he could sense these things from people but for Harry to get pass him was an indication of how powerful the glamour was.

"You alright Harry?" Severus said

"I'm fine" Harry said before he started to move when a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.

"What the hell" Harry said surprised at been spun around to come face to face with a very angry Ron Weasley and in Harry's mind no doubt that Hermione had told him of their conversation earlier today.

"You are a downright git you know that Harry" Ron spoke his voice speak with volumes of anger, malice and venom.

"Ron it's not..." Harry started before Ron interrupted him.

"Not what Harry? That you are nothing more than a freak? A fag? Huh" Ron said knowing that calling him names was really going to hurt him especially freak.

Harry flinched really badly at been called a freak and Severus took particular notice of that and was about to say something when all of a sudden Weasley punched Harry as hard as he could and Harry collapse down to the ground like a ton of bricks, curling himself into a tight ball.

"Stay away from me, stay away from my sister and stay away from my family for I want nothing to do with you; you fag" and was about to kick Harry when Severus pulled his wand on Ron stunning him with a spell before walking over to the red head.

"I suggest you leave him alone Weasley" Severus threatened.

"Or what Lionel, are you going to stop me?" Ron said arrogantly unaware of whom he was really up against.

"That I am Weasley, for your pathetic excuse of mentality would not go good against the likes of me" Severus bit back.

"YOU! Don't make me laugh, you're a nobody"

"I'm giving you one more chance to BACK OFF" Severus said in a dangerous voice

"Don't Ron, it's not worth getting into trouble over" Hermione said placing her arm on Ron's. Ron looked at her for a few seconds before he nodded and turned back to where Severus was.

"Fine I will leave you alone with your boyfriend" Ron said spitting out the word boyfriend as if he tasted something horrible than walked over to the table and filling up his plate.

Severus stared at the Weasley boy, he couldn't believe that Harry best friends turned on him because he was gay and what's more he accused him of been Harry's boyfriend, not that he would object as he was finding himself more and more intrigued by him every minute he spends with him.

But enough musing he turned back to Harry and kneeled next to him.

"Harry" Severus said gently placing his hand on his shoulder.

Harry just groaned.

"Harry I am going to levitate you up to hospital wing"

Harry could only nod, he really didn't want to go to see Madam Pomfrey at all but he was in too much pain to put up a fight against it.

Severus levitated Harry up to the hospital wing and placed him on the third bed on the right.

"Pop...Madam Pomfrey" Severus yelled having to correct himself.

"There is no need to yell Sever...err...umm..." Poppy said stumbling over her words also for she was only one of three people who knew his true identity and seeing that Harry Potter was lying injured in one of her beds was not one of them.

"Lionel Prince" Severus said trying bail the medi - witch out trouble and hopefully Harry was in too much pain to notice the mistake they both had made.

"Thank you Mr Prince, now tell me what has happen to Mr Potter this time" she said and ran a diagnostic charm over him while Severus explained what happen in the great hall and his suspicions of Harry already been hurt.

Poppy looked at Severus she couldn't believe how much he has taken notice of the boy considering how much he loathed him but perhaps been a seventeen year old again was good for him, seeing things in a new light and perhaps find some happiness that he so much needed.

Poppy was shocked at what she read but not surprised by it, for every year that Harry has come to Hogwarts, those muggles have left their mark on him and it usually took Harry a lot longer to get to the hospital wing perhaps this was an indication on how much Severus has change his attitude towards Harry Potter in such a short time.

Poppy also knew that Harry was able to hide his injuries extremely well for he had been doing it for years much like Severus has when he was attending Hogwarts, then as a death eater turn spy.

Poppy removed the charm and spent the next thirty minutes patching Harry up and giving him the necessary potions including dream sleep completely aware that Severus stayed with him the whole time watching silently from the corner as he always does.

"There all done" Poppy said cleaning her hands.

"What happen to him?" Severus asked.

"You know Severus if I didn't know any better I would say that you care for our Mr Potter" Poppy said with a small smile.

Severus glared at her but then looked away to where Harry now laid sound asleep.

"You shouldn't call me Severus in case someone hears Madam Pomfrey" Severus reminded.

"Always the martyr Mr Prince" Poppy said with a smile while Severus glared at her.

"What happen to him, Madam Pomfrey?" Severus asked after a few minutes of silence.

"That Mr Prince is up to Mr Potter to tell, but I will tell you one thing though and it won't breach of any confidentiality I have with Mr Potter is listen to the rumours Mr Prince just listen to them" Madam Pomfrey said than she left for her office leaving a confused Severus Snape standing there.

Severus stood there for a while just staring at the now sleeping teen wondering what Madam Pomfrey meant.

He had heard rumours about Harry over the years mostly what some girl had said about him and he didn't take any notice of them at all but there was also rumours going around that Harry's relative didn't particularly like him and that he slept in a cupboard under the stairs but once again he didn't take any notice of that because he always perceived Harry Potter as a spoilt arrogant child who thrived on attention but since the train trip everything he once believed about the boy hero is now changing.

After a little while Severus made his way back to Gryffindor tower.

"I can't believe that Harry is a fag" Ron was saying as Lionel entered the common room.

"I know Ron it's just wrong but I have been doing research to find a way to cure his illness" Hermione replied to Ron's statement.

"You know for a know it all you are pretty stupid girl" Severus retorted.

"How dare you say that Prince" Ron bit back.

"Why because it the truth" Severus said mocking him.

"No you moron"

"Your vocabulary Weasley astounds me but then again if you used that thing above your head you might be able to learn how to think"

"I can think for myself I am not a child"

"Really I would never have guessed it with the way you behave especially towards Harry"

"What would you know Prince you have only been here a couple of days"

"More then you know Weasley"

"Whatever" Ron said and went back to sit with Hermione.

Severus looked at them and couldn't believe that they were trying to find a cure for Harry being a homosexual; it's not what Harry needs. What Harry needs is his friends support, not what they are doing and for the first time in his life he was going to be there for a friend to Harry for Severus knew what it was like coming out as been gay.

Severus remembered it like it happened yesterday, he was in his seventh year just like Harry is now and when he told his best friend Lily she was there for him which he was glad for because when he got back to the Slytherin common room everyone went quiet until Lucius Malfoy said that he heard him telling some Gryffindor girl that he was gay before turning back to him asking if it was true and he said it was true than the next thing he remembered after that was waking up in the infirmary and Madam Pomfrey giving him the third degree for fighting in the school corridors.

After that happened the rest of his school year he was taunted more than ever by the marauder's before he came out, he spent most of his time trying to avoid hexes and been beaten up because of his sexuality thus after school had finished he was really depressed and the only friend in the world who stood by him was Lily but even her friendship was not enough to stop the darkness consuming him.

He spent the next couple of years of his life been a Death Eater, not ever having a chance to fall in love but he did have a few sexual acquaintances but he always wanted something more but he never really got the chance for after he heard about the prophecy things escalated very quickly, actually he had to go later than that it was when he discovered that the prophecy was about his best friend he did the only thing he could think of and that was to go to Albus Dumbledore.

He told Dumbledore about him been a Death Eater and what he had done, he never felt so ashamed of the things he had done until that moment in his life but most of all he told Dumbledore about over hearing the prophecy and how Voldemort was going to after the Potter's.

Dumbledore after a while accepted what he told him and said that if he left Voldemort he would more than likely try and kill him, which, of course Severus knew that and at one stage he did wish for it to happen.

After many arguments about what to do that's when it was agreed upon that Severus will spy for the light and provide Intel on what Voldemort was planning and for the past sixteen years he did that.

Severus left the common room and headed up to this dorm for so much needed rest.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry was released two days later from the infirmary with the same instructions he got all the time from Madam Pomfrey which always consisted of if there was any problems come straight back, take it easy, limit the use of his magic and no flying for about a week.

During his stay in the infirmary neither Ron nor Hermione came and saw him and he had a good guess at why considering the reason he was there in the first place was because of Ron.

Neville and Luna came and saw him both telling him that they don't mind if he was gay which he was grateful for because he really did value their friendship a lot.

But it was Lionel who spent most of the time with him. Although they didn't talk much the other than school work they both mainly sat in silence enjoying been in the others company.

Harry often wondered if Lionel had heard the gossip a about him being gay, in fact he wondered if the whole school had heard about yet but he knew they did because it was after announced in the great hall by Ginny and Ron. He even the daily prophet had got wind of it yet and also how they rest of the school was going to react to him been gay and he was about to find out as headed down to the great hall for lunch.

"Harry" someone yelled

Harry stopped and turned to the voice that was calling him when he saw Lionel coming down the hall towards him.

"Lionel what are you doing here?"

"Apart from the fact I go to school here and like everyone else I do need to eat I thought I will walk with you" Severus said sarcastically.

Harry couldn't help but smile at Lionel wit.

"Sorry just been a long couple of days"

"I guess it has been whoever said that school was the best years of your life needs to be admitted to St Mungo's and have their head examined"

Harry gave out a small laugh.

"I thought I would join you for lunch if you don't mind" Severus said

"I guess" Harry said feeling a bit hesitant especially after his last confrontation with Ron in the great hall and he didn't want to lose Lionel friendship because he like men for he really liked Lionel.

Harry and Lionel both continued their walk in silence once again lost in their thoughts about the boy walking next to him.

Harry although he had comes to terms with his sexuality for quite some time and he knew that in the muggle world opinion of homosexual was slowly changing and he thought the wizarding world was the same.

As they entered the hall most people looked at them and then went back to eating except for the Gryffindor seventh year boys except for Neville, who glared at him, while Ginny gave him a look of disgust and Hermione who had her head stuck in a book.

Harry posture changed from hesitant to downright defeat. His shoulders slumped; he hung his head and turned to leave.

Severus notice the change straight away and as Harry turn to leave he grabbed Harry by his arm.

"Harry they are not worth it" Severus said letting go of his arm.

"Not to you perhaps Lionel but to me they were once my friends and now..." Harry couldn't finish what he started before the tears started to fall and he ran out of the hall.

Severus glared at the seventh year boys for a second before turning and running after Harry.

He didn't know which way Harry went, he quickly looked up the stairs and didn't see Harry anywhere so he headed outside towards the lake where he has often see the boy sit during his rounds when he use to patrol the grounds.

As he approached the lake he spotted Harry sitting under a tree with his knees brought up to his chest and his head resting on his knees and Severus felt for him, in a way that he never thought he would feel.

"Harry" Severus said feeling a bit uncertain how he should continue he never really had to comfort anyone before.

"Go away" Harry muffled.

"I can't do that Harry" Severus squatting down in front of Harry. "Harry..."

"Leave. Me. Alone" Harry bit out of anger.

"No Harry, I can't do that"

Harry didn't say anything or raise his head to look at Lionel but he guessed by Lionel movement sounds that he went from a squatting in front of him to sitting next to him.

Severus sat right next to Harry drawing one knee up and wrapping his arms around his leg.

They both sat in silence neither speaking nor leaving when they heard the bell go for the end of lunch, they just sat there with Harry resting his head on his knees and Severus staring over the lake.

After a little while Harry finally looked up squinting his eyes a little bit, he looked next to him where Lionel was sitting than back out towards the lake and let out of sigh.

"Why?" Harry asked breaking his silence.

"Why what, Harry?" Lionel said without taking out his eyes off the lake.

"Why did you stay out here with me and not go to glass, you know we are both going to get into trouble for skipping class"

"Because you look like you needed a friend" Severus simply said.

"But you hardly know me" Harry said looking at Lionel.

"That maybe so Harry but I do share a dorm with you and nobody deserves to be treated the way you are been treated by your so called friends"

"What would you know?" Harry said with malice

"I know that your friends can't be your true friends if they turn their back on you"

"Yeah well it like Ron said I am a freak"

"Why would you believe him Harry?"

"Well I have to be if I am attracted to me..." Harry stumbled not wanting to scare away what seemed like his only friend.

"If I get this straight Harry, you think you're a freak because Ron said so all because you're gay?"

Harry looked at Lionel in surprise.

"Harry I know how hard it is to admit to your friends that you are gay" Severus said with sincerity.

"How would you know?" Harry asked very sinistral of Lionel statement.

Severus looked at Harry, he really didn't want to tell him of anything personal about him but he also promised himself that he would help Harry and the best way to do that is the truth and that was the method he went with.

"I know Harry because when I came out that I was gay nearly everyone turned against me except for my true friends who stuck by me"

"What happen to you?"

"I ended on requiring medical attention regularly from been beaten up and on the receiving end of some rather nasty hexes."

"How did you get by?"

"With the help of my one true friend for she believed that I was still the same person I always was and because I was gay didn't change who I was here" Severus said pointing to Harry's heart. "Don't let those people in there (pointing towards Hogwarts) control who or what you are Harry"

"But they make part of who I am" Harry argued

"No they don't Harry, no one in there define who you are Harry"

"Yes they do my friends are a part of who I am"

"Let me tell you about your so called friends Harry"Severus started and spat the word friends "Did you know that Granger is spending every minute of her free time trying to find a cure for been gay.

Weasley is spending his time calling you a freak of nature, saying that you should be locked up somewhere, where you can't spread your disease.

Thomas and Finnegan also agree with Weasley and the same with the Weasley girl who is also stating how ashamed she was for liking you, then dating you considering that you like guys.

But Longbottom is the only one who is worth your time Harry; he has defended you to no end. He reminds me a lot of my best friend despite what everyone else said she stood by me just like Neville has done to you"

Harry looked at Lionel as though he had three heads.

"I don't believe you; they wouldn't do that to me"

"They are. Did you know that they did not once ask how you were while you were in hospital?"

"They just..."

"Just what Harry, care, some friends you have Harry" Severus stood up and started to walk away. He stopped and turned back to Harry. "I tell you something Harry your friends don't define who you are, you do and if you want your so called friends to treat you like shit that is your choice. From where I stand you deserve better than that, friends that stand by who you are and not against you, friends that respect who you are Harry and don't turn against you when they find something out about you they don't like." And with that Severus walked away leaving a stunned Harry behind.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry spent the rest of the afternoon by the lake before he headed up to common room.

"Hay Ron, Hermione" Harry said as he spotted them in the corner room of the common room.

Hermione looked up from her book while Ron glared at him.

"Um...I...was wondering...if you want to hang out." Harry stuttered

"Hang out, hang out" Ron started to yell "Why would I hang out with a fag like you"

"Ron we are friends and that was friends do" Harry said

"Friends! I am not friends with a freak like you"

"I AM NOT A FREAK" yelled Harry

"YES YOU ARE FOR ONLY FREAKS WOULD WANT TO BE WITH PEOPLE OF THEIR OWN SEX"

Harry was taken back, it was then that he realized that Lionel was right his friends had turned their back on him again and this time it was because he was gay.

After everything they have been through together, every fight, every battle, the war against Voldemort. It all meant nothing when it came to be different from them.

"What is your problem Ron?"

"My problem is that my former best friend is a fag, a homo, a cock sucker, it's like I never knew you"

"That's not fair Ron"

"Why because it's the truth Potter"

"It's not the truth Ron and that is mean calling someone that"

"Whatever Harry"

"I am still the same person I always have been Ron"

"No you're not Harry"

"Harry, I have been doing some research into your problem..." Hermione added but was interrupted by Harry

"I don't have a problem Hermione"

"Yes you do Harry, you have an illness and I am doing my best to find a cure"

"What illness Hermione, there is nothing wrong with me" Harry argued

"Don't deny it Harry"

"I'm not the one denying anything Hermione you are"

"I am not Harry"

"Yes you are. The fact is Hermione I am gay, it's not an illness, it's not a problem, it's is who I am."

"And it sick" Ron added

"It's not sick Ron just because I am not attracted to girls."

"Been attracted to girls is natural Harry"

"To you perhaps but not to me Ron"

"That's why you're sick Harry"

"Oh I get it now, Lionel was right about you two, and you were never really my friends"

"What you mean never Harry we have always been there for you"

"No you haven't the moment something happens that you don't approve of you Ron fly off your broom and you Hermione have to go to the library to do research on problem that sometimes does not require a book to solve it and this is one of those times."

"But Harry..."

"But nothing, the way I see it just because I am different in my sexuality then you, you treat me like I'm some disease and I'm not. I tell you something the world don't move to the same beat Ron, what's right for you Ron may not be right for others, including me Ron"

"What you mean by that Harry" Ron asked confused

"Ask Hermione Ron" Harry said and started to head up to his common room but stopped and turn back to his friends or ex-friends now "I always considered you my family that what I was until I broke up with your sister Ron and you Hermione ever since I told you I was gay you went off your broom to see if you could find a cure, that's not been friend" and with that he left them and went into his room leaving a very stunned Hermione and a angry Ron behind.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

Severus never saw Harry for the rest of the day nor did he come to diner and he hated to admit it, he was worried about him. He never thought he would ever be worried about Harry Potter and after the potion accidents when Albus said to re - do his seventh year he was fuming especially since he had to be in the same year as Harry Potter.

But now things were different, in fact they have been different since the train ride when Harry came into his compartment and ever since that moment he started to care for him, more than he should but he can't stop himself and for once he was going to be happy and worry about telling Harry who he really is later but then again the longer he left it the harder it will be.

His thoughts plagued him all through diner so much so he didn't hear about what Harry said to Ron and Hermione.

He made his way back to Gryffindor tower and to his room and he sat on his bed not seeing that the person who was plaguing his thoughts sitting on the bed across from him.

"You were right you know" Harry said quietly.

"About what?" Severus asked seeing the look of sadness on Harry's face.

"About Ron and Hermione" He said trying to stop himself from falling apart but Severus could see that he was failing.

"I'm really sorry Harry" Severus said getting up making his way to Harry's bed and the moment he put his hand on Harry's shoulder, Harry started to cry.

At first Severus was stunned but he did the only he knew and sat on Harry's bed and pulled the crying boy into his arms.

Severus sat there for ages holding Harry, he had never seen anyone cry as much as what Harry had and he thought that it wasn't only over losing his friendship with his now former best friends but he believed Harry had cried over everything that had ever happen to him.

TBC...