When Severus opened his eyes again he saw he was in a dark room, a very dark room. Where was Potter? This was his mind, right? In the corner of the room he heard a slight whimper. "Potter?" Walking closer he saw it was indeed Harry Potter. Asking about an injured hand had done this? There was more to this story, Severus could feel it. "Potter?" Still no response.

He heaved a deep sigh. "Harry?" Thank Merlin Albus couldn't see him now, or he would aim that damn twinkle in his direction. "Harry" A stir came from the child and a soft sob. Getting closer to the curled up child he knelt down right next to him. Severus placed a hand on Harry's back, as that was all he could see, and removed it when the boy flinched violently. Something was really wrong here. Someone only reacted that way if...

Not possible. This was the boy who lived after all. James Potters son! He was pampered at home, everything he ever wanted he had. His relatives loved him and catered to every whim. He was arrogant and pompous just like his father. This must be a mistake, the boy had to be overreacting. He probably got a slap on the hand and was devastated by being reprimanded. That had to be it. The boy was just not used to being punished.

Once again, Severus placed a gentle hand on Harry's back. This time Harry not only flinched he curled into his ball even tighter and mumbled something Severus had to strain to hear. "Please don't hurt me." Hearing those four words Severus just closed his eyes and took a deep breath. just a few years ago didn't he tell Albus "You see what you want to see" when he had told him about his home life? Now he was guilty of the same grave mistake Albus had made all those years ago. He had ignored the signs, but this was even worse. He had not only ignored the signs he had flat out denied they were there.

Looking back, he saw the all the signs pointing to abuse were there. Harry was much shorter than anyone in his year and always came back from holiday skinnier than he left. Hadn't the child practically begged Albus to stay here in the summer that first year? Then there had been that interesting bruise Harry had on his arm a few years ago. Finally, he recognized it as belt buckle mark. Years too late. Why hadn't he investigated more into what it was then? If it had been any other child he would have, but this had ben James Potters son. Shame filled Severus, his own pettiness had made him blind to what was happening to a child. He put his head in his hands and tried to get control over himself.

If Lily had been here she would have given him a swift kick in the trousers and he would have deserved it. All those words he had said to the child. All the hurt he had cause by simply ignoring the facts. This was not James Potter even though he looked like him. This was a boy who was hurting on the inside and out. He had promised Lily to protect him and he had let this happen. Lily must hate him. With that thought Severus whispered to the room so quietly he could barely hear himself. "I'm so sorry Lily."

Regaining his composure, he placed a hand on the shoulder he could reach and ignored the violent flinch. "Harry its Professor Snape and I promise I will not hurt you. I'm here to help." Severus paused and he saw that Harry had indeed heard what he said, as he had relaxed a little. "Harry I'm going to sit next to you. Can I ask you to come out of the corner so we can talk?" Severus did as he said and sat down on the floor beside the child. "Harry please. I promise that nothing bad will happen to you if you come out." A very hesitant Harry did as he was asked and uncurled himself sitting on the floor next to his Professor.

Truthfully, this was this first time Severus really saw Harry. Harry the child who was supposed to be under his care, the one he was supposed to protect. James Potter had clouded his mind for all these years. Memories of the past pushing themselves to the front of his mind reminding him of what had happened. A past he would rather forget. Severus was determined that would never happen again. He would make up all those cruel remarks he had made to Harry.

"Harry can you please look at me?" Harry meekly did as he was bid and looked at his Professor. Pain, hurt, fear and worry filled the boy's eyes and it took all Severus had in him to not look away rom Lily's eyes. Eyes that should never show those kind of emotions."You're safe Harry. I'm here and I won't let anyone hurt you. Can you tell me why you're so scared?"

Harry looked down trying to hide his tears. He hated being so scared all the time, he hated all the pain. Hadn't this professor caused some of that pain though? Wasn't Snape contently berating him and picking on him? Harry was so confused and couldn't stop the question that was forming in his mind come out of his mouth. "Don't you hate me sir?"

Sighing Severus slowly took a hand and gently placed it on Harry's chin making him look into his eyes. "Harry, listen to me closely. I do not hate you. I apologize for how I treated you all these years. I let a petty grudge get in the way, I was a very stupid man. I don't expect you to forgive me Harry, I know I never can. I do hope in time though I can help make it up to you."

Harry looked at his potion master shocked. Did this man just apologize to him? ...and for how he had treated Harry? Looking back Harry saw no fault in the way Snape had treated him. He had just treated him like the freak he was. He had been the only person who had treated him the way he was supposed to. "You don't need to apologize to me, sir. You treated me like I deserve. I am only a freak and am worth no more than scum on a boot."

Harry saying those words disturbed Severus greatly. Not just the words themselves, but the way he had said them. In a cold, distant, practiced voice. Like he had head those words spoken to him his entire life. Taking a deep breath Severus looked Harry in the eyes. "Harry listen to me please. If you believe nothing else, you must believe that you are no freak. Please Harry, you are no more a freak than I am. The way I treated you was wrong Harry. I was very wrong. A child should never be treated the way I treated you." Letting go of Harry's chin, Severus maneuvered Harry so he was sitting sideways in his lap. He then gently pushed Harry's head down to rest on his shoulder. For a few moments they were both quiet and then Severus broke the silence with a soft voice. "Harry did your relatives hurt you?"

Harry's whole body stiffened in response to Severus's question. "It's ok Harry. Like I said, no one can hurt you here. You can tell me whatever you want. I just need you to honest with me." Severus had begun to run his fingers through Harry's messy brown hair to try and calm the boy. It seemed like it was working as Harry's body relaxed.

Strangely Harry felt safe here in Severus's arms. He couldn't explain it, but he felt safer here then in even the Headmasters arms. This man had mentally berated him all these years, but he almost...trusted him? His professor had seemed so sincere when he was telling him that he wouldn't let anyone hurt him. Snape had never lied to him before, he had always been painfully honest. Something he had hated till now. Could he tell him though? Could he tell him about his Uncle?

Severus continued to hold the child close to him. When he had though Harry needed to be brought back from his thoughts he prodded him gently. "Can you tell me who hurt you Harry?"

Shakily Harry nodded. "My...my...uncle." It may not seem like a hard thing to admit, but in reality it can be the hardest thing to say when you are an abused child. To tell someone you're hurt when you have been forced to hide your entire life is not easy. To tell someone the person who hurt them is even harder. They say the first stage of healing is always the hardest and in this case it's true.

Still running his fingers through Harry's hair Severus continued to soothe. "Thank you for telling me Harry. That was very brave. I promise you, you will never again have to see him. I will make sure of that." That did Harry in and he began to cry pushing his head into Severus's robes. More from relief than anything else, someone knew. Someone knew how he had gotten his scars and had said it would never happen again. Severus started to rock the child and continued to soothe him. "Shhhhh it's all ok Harry. You have many people who care dearly for you. I dare say the Headmaster even thinks of you as his own grandchild and Professor Mcgonagall has a special place for you in her heart. You now also have me and I will always be here if you need me, for anything."

Harry was beginning to calm down and Severus was starting to get anxious to get back to the real world. Time passed slowly inside someones mind and in "real time" it was likely that they had been in here for more than two hours. The last thing he needed to do was worry Albus and Minerva more than they were already. Those looks Albus and Minerva had shot him earlier had been enough to tell him how worried they were for this child and now he knew why.

Sensing Harry was calm enough Severus initiated their next conversation. "Harry, do you know where we are right now?" For the first time Harry popped his head up and took a look around. When he had a good look around him and then shook his head no. "Were inside your mind Harry. The Headmaster and Professor Mcgonagall were both very worried about you and sent for me to come and help you. I used a spell called Legilimens that allowed me to come in here and find you so I could help you back."

Absorbing all his Professor had told him Harry wearily nodded his head, but he still had to ask the question that was swirling around in his mind. "They were worried...about me?"

"Oh Harry, very much so and so was I. I'm sure they are still out there worrying about you. They care for you very much and only want to help you." Harry nodded his head against Severus's shoulder his head now swarming with many more questions. They could wait till later though, he didn't want to ask them now. "You know Harry, we should probably go back out and stop their worrying. Also, I think you could do with some food, you are far too skinny for a growing boy. I'm going to have to brew some potions to help you grow." Another nod came from his shoulder.

"Are you ready Harry to go back outside your mind?"

A nod and then a soft whisper came from his shoulder. "If you're still there..."

"I'll always be here for you Harry along with all the other people who care about you."

"Legilimens"