Most characters belong to J.K. Rowling. Hopefully she doesn't mind if I play around with them. Severus is the good guy here. Dumbledore has been a very naughty boy.

Not completely according to the books. No threats from Voldemort. I do not expect to bring him back to life but there is always the possibility. If Harry acts younger than he is remember he almost died so there is some regression and he will be much more needy. I realize Harry is a wizard and usually they heal quickly but not in this case the damage is too severe. He does heal faster than us mere mortals though.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review. This is my first fanfic and I appreciate your comments. I'm hoping to update every other day though sometimes life makes it a bit longer.

Chapter 4 Facing the Dursleys 7/25

Bright and early that morning Severus met up with Arthur Weasley and Minerva McGonagall at the Leaky Cauldron where they proceeded to apparate to the alley near #4 Privet Drive. Slowly they walked to the door each lost in their own thoughts. Severus knocked on the door which was opened by a whale sized man. "Vernon Dursley, I presume, my name is Severus Snape. I'm a professor at Hogwarts School..." Before Severus could say another word the door was slammed shut in their faces and they could hear the man bellowing for his wife.

"Petunia, there are some of those freaks at our door. I thought we didn't have to have anything to do with them once we sent the boy to their freaky school." Vernon screamed as he headed for the kitchen.

"Alohamora!" three voices shouted, the door blasted open and Severus, Minerva and Arthur entered with wands poised. Closing the door behind them, they stood there as Petunia and Vernon entered the room. "Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley do you know where your nephew is right now?" Minerva asked.

Petunia looked down her nose, disgusted at the wizards and witch standing there. "Of course I do,` he's upstairs locked in his room. We can't have him contaminating our Duddlykins with his freakishness." Vernon was trying to get his wife to be quiet but she was paying no attention to him. Minerva gasped in disbelief. Harry had been gone for four days and his aunt didn't even know.

Minerva gathered herself together and said "Please take me to Harry's room. It is urgent that I speak to him." gesturing for Petunia to lead the way. Vernon attempted to place himself between Minerva and the stairs but a glare from Severus stopped him in his tracks. Petunia led Minerva to the door with all the locks and began to unlock them. Petunia opened the door to let Minerva in when she was stopped by Minerva saying "After you, Mrs. Dursley."

Petunia entered the room " Boy one of your... " Petunia stopped dead in her tracks and looked around. There was blood everywhere including a large puddle of blood in the center of the room outlining the spot where Harry had been laying. "What happened? Where's the boy" Petunia yelled at Minerva looking totally puzzled.

Minerva could not believe what she was seeing. Holding her anger in as well as she could "Harry has spent the last four days at Professor Snape's home in a coma, close to death, and you DID NOT EVEN KNOW HE WAS GONE." Minerva took a deep breath and took a step closer. "You never checked on the boy, or let him out to use the bathroom, or gave him any food. You call yourself a human being, woman, I've seen animals take better care of their young then you have." Minerva then pulled a folder out of her robes and removed some photographs and pushed them in front of Petunia's face. "THIS is what YOUR nephew looked like when Severus retrieved him, after receiving a note for help, written in the boy's own blood." Petunia looked at the photos, clasped her hand over her mouth, ran to the bathroom and started vomiting. While waiting, Minerva took photos of Harry's room to be used in evidence when Severus dealt with those filthy muggles. She also looked for Harry's belongings while she was there. All she found were a few things hidden under the bed and some clothes that belonged in a rubbish bin. Minerva waited for Petunia then they walked down stairs. Petunia glared at Vernon then looked over to Professor Snape.

"Severus, what do you want me to do?" Petunia's voice was barely audible as she continued "No one deserves that." Hanging her head she sat in the nearest chair her legs no longer able to bear her weight.

Arthur had put Vernon in a body bind with a silencing spell on him after he had tried to follow his wife and Minerva up the stairs. Severus looked at Arthur and Minerva then he addressed Petunia. " If Harry agrees I am going to adopt him and make him my son. I will not let Lily's son live in this house to be tortured and abused by some sick animal like that." Severus pointed at Vernon. Vernon struggled against the body bind trying to get free. Petunia just sat in the chair in a state of shock, not saying a word. "In the mean time I have these papers giving me sole, undeniable custody of Harry. You will sign all rights over to me. You will also write a statement that Lily wanted her son raised in the wizarding world, that she wanted him to go to Hogwarts School and that you were never given a choice of taking Harry in or not. You will also note that Lily and I grew up together and we were best friends since we were nine years old. When you are finished with that you will gather any of Harry's things that are here along with any of Lily and James' things you may have so I can give them to Harry." Petunia nodded silently the took the papers from Severus. When she finished signing the papers, Severus signed then Arthur and Minerva witnessed them. When Petunia finished her statement they repeated the process of signatures. When all the paperwork was finished Petunia showed Severus and Minerva where Harry's things were and gave them the two trunks that were once Lily's that she had in the attic. When everything was gathered and shrunk down to fit in Severus' pocket, Arthur released Vernon from the spells then the witch and wizards left #4 Privet Drive hoping never to see that place again.

Severus made a quick stop at Gringotts before heading home. Severus had invited Arthur and Minerva to his home for a drink but after the day they had they all wanted to get home. At Gringotts he spoke with Ringold who got in touch with Minister Garland. Severus flooed to her private office and handed over all the paperwork. Minister Garland was impressed with his choice of witnesses. Severus received a Letter of Guardianship signed and sealed by the Minister of Wizarding Child Welfare. Minister Garland promised to see Severus and Harry before the blood adoption ceremony he planned just to assure herself it was in the best interest of the boy. When Severus returned to the bank the goblins recorded the guardianship and Griphook was called in to discuss the Potter accounts now that Severus was Harry's legal guardian. It was discovered that there were discrepancies as to what should be in the accounts and holdings and what was really there. Griphook and Ringold assured Severus that all of Harry's accounts would be audited and an investigation made discreetly. Severus thanked the goblins for all their help and left. As long as he was at Diagon Alley, Severus decided to go to the apothecary for more potion supplies. As he was leaving he ran into none other than Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts and meddling old coot. "Albus" Severus said with a sneer.

"Severus, my boy, how is your summer going? Enjoying your time away from the children." Albus asked, eyes twinkling.

"My summer has proved very interesting so far Albus. How is young Mr. Potter doing at his aunt's house this summer?" Severus asked wondering just what Dumbledore would come up with.

Dumbledore paused for a moment giving Severus a puzzled look. " Harry is doing just fine, my boy. I spoke with his Aunt and Uncle at the beginning of break and they assured me he is treated well there."

Severus smirked 'treated well my arse'. "Well, headmaster, I must be going, I have potions to brew for Poppy and my own experiments to perform. I'll see you the week before school. With that Severus apparated home.

Poppy met Severus in the sitting room. They discussed everything that had happened that day while they ate. Severus went over the latest diagnostic scan while Poppy informed him what Healer Jones said " We can start bringing him out of the coma in the morning. Most of the internal damage has healed. The broken bones are almost healed. Harry will have a long haul, Severus. He will need a lot of physical therapy when he is finally able to move. The hardest part is going to be his mental attitude. We have no way of knowing what this is going to do to him.

Looking up at the medi-witch who was one of the few people Severus considered a friend, "Poppy we will do what has to be done for the boy. We'll take it one day at a time. The first thing has already been done, I have full legal guardianship of one Harry James Potter, all signed and sealed. Madame Garland took care of it all and it is filed at the ministry and at the bank. Griphook and Ringold are doing a full audit of all of Harry's inheritances there seems to be some discrepancies and as his guardian I can now authorize it. I have also talked to Minister Garland and have authorized to do a blood adoption as soon as Harry understands what it entails and approves. I told Minister Garland I wouldn't do it if Harry didn't approve. Now Poppy all we have to do is concentrate on getting this boy better." Severus got up and walked Poppy to the floo. " Oh Poppy, be prepared. Arthur asked permission to tell Molly. She has grown quite fond of the boy through her boys. In fact it might be nice to have someone on our side who has actually born and raised children. An old bachelor and a couple of maidens may not know all there is to the fine art of raising children." Poppy laughed and gave Severus a peck on the cheek before she flooed home assuring him they would survive.

After Poppy left Severus walked into Harry's room and found Tibby sitting in the chair. "What can Tibby be doing for Master tonight?" the house elf asked as she walked to where Severus stood checking Harry's IV bags.

Severus gave the elf a small smile. "Tibby I did something today I hope I'm ready for. I got the papers and made Harry my ward. I'm also planning on adopting him as soon as he approves. Do you think we can raise an almost twelve year old boy Tibby?"

Tibby squeaked, "Oh Master Severus, we be so happy. All of the others will be happy too. We be raising you alright You be the best master ever. We know you will be good to young master and he be safe here. We all be giving him so much love he not be knowing what to do."

Severus smiled, "Tibby with you all helping I'm sure we can raise him alright. Do you think you could get me some tea and perhaps some cheese, crackers and sliced fruit. I think I'm going to sit here with Harry for awhile. Oh and Tibby, you might want to tell the others the news." Tibby popped out, returned with his tray then popped out again leaving him alone with Harry. Severus sat next to Harry's bed running his hand through Harry's hair. " Well, Harry, a lot has happened in the last few days. There will be a lot for you to get used to when you wake up. The most important thing is you will NEVER be going back to that house or those people ever again." Severus sat at Harry's bedside for several hours, drinking his tea and telling Harry all about his day.