** Thank you to everyone who left reviews. Some of you were so extremely flattering! *blushes* Anyway, thank you to everyone who has left criticism as well. I need that. I am horrible at punctuation and I still have no beta so I am sure there will be more mistakes. I have taken all the feedback and, hopefully, this chapter is better than the last. I make no promises though!
**Also, the scene where Dumbledore tells Harry the prophesy is alluded to in this chapter, I didn't write any of it though, so I hope you are all familiar with it.
The Confrontation
Albus Dumbledore walked purposely away from the infirmary. Hermione Granger and Harry Potter had been transferred to St. Mungos, and he was not happy at all. He could not believe Poppy had deliberately kept such information from him.
It had taken a bit of persuasion but Poppy had finally told him exactly how it had occurred and Harry's role in their transfer. He couldn't help but be faintly amused despite himself. That boy was so willful and stubborn! He may be a spitting image of his father, but he had his mother's temper and fierce loyalty. It was assuredly something Lily would have done.
One thing the old man could not comprehend was Severus' involvement in the whole escapade. He had tried for many years to show Severus he was wrong in his assumptions of poor Harry. The caustic man would not hear a word of it and steadfastly refused even being civil with the child. Now he had not only taken the boy and his friend to the hospital, but he had stayed as chaperone entirely without coercion! It was simply baffling.
As the man strode into his office, he worried about what his wayward children were getting up to at that moment. There were specific reasons for his insistence the children stay here to be treated. Miss Granger's presence at St. Mungos would have raised questions if she had been brought in alone. The girl was exceptionally brilliant, but she definitely had a mouth on her. She would have asked, inevitably, where the other members of her party were. There would have been questions and he simply could not risk it. Harry had to be protected after all, no matter the sacrifices and consequences.
The man continued his musings as he picked up a handful of floo powder and traversed the floo system with practiced ease. When he landed in the floo entrance, he smiled genially to the attendant waiting there and rushed out the double doors and into the reception area.
"Excuse me Madam." Said the old man after waiting a few moments in line. "I wonder if you could please tell me where I might find two students of mine who are currently in residence here."
The young woman behind the desk looked at him with wide eyes. "Of c-course sir! What would their names be?" She continued to look at him with wide-eyed reverence.
"Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Harry Potter." He leaned close as he whispered the two names to her. It would not do to have the entire wizarding world know two high profile Death Eater targets were currently ensconced in the highly assessable hospital.
"Oh, of course, they were brought in several hours ago." She checked her parchments quickly, parchments that were enchanted so only the welcome witch could see, and said, "Miss Granger is on the fourth floor at the moment but it seems she is no longer accepting visitors."
"I see." He wondered why Severus had restricted visitation. No matter, in absence of her parents he could make those decisions now that he was here. He needed to speak with the girl and have her transferred back to Hogwarts.
"As the young lady in question is currently in residence at Hogwarts and without her parents at this time…" He didn't even get to finish his sentence before the witch interrupted.
"Oh but her parents are here, sir. The other professor brought them almost immediately after her arrival." She took a moment to read something on the parchment and so missed the surprised look on the old man's face. "That's all I can tell you though, sir. Patient confidentiality and all that."
She continued to peruse the parchment as Dumbledore tried to figure out exactly what was going on. Severus had gone to fetch Hermione Grangers muggle parents? He needed a lemon drop.
"Mr. Potter is currently being seen in one of the Pediatric offices here on this floor. I believe he is with Healer Brigand."
Albus nearly sagged with relief when he heard that, although he was confused why Harry was there. He thanked the witch and swept out of the lobby and toward the Pediatric Unit. As he traveled, he tried to think of a reason why Harry would be seeing Pediatric Healer.
He was suddenly hit with the memories of Severus coming to him with suspicions of abuse against the child. Severus had had no proof and though he knew the Dursleys hated Harry and neglected him to an extent, he was sure they had never abused the boy. He was safe there and the lack of familial love would have to be borne.
Blue eyes turned cold in an instant. Severus had tried repeatedly to convince him to remove young Harry from the Dursleys. When that had been denied he had pled his case for allowing Madam Pomphrey to do a thorough exam on the boy, he had refused that course of action as well. There was no need. The Dursley's were Harry's blood relatives after all, and they would not have hurt him. It was just ridiculous to think it were even a possibility!
Severus had let it go, he had thought. Now, as he walked at a faster pace toward the Healers office, he realized Severus had not let it go at all.
The Headmaster stopped in front of the doors leading him to the pediatric waiting room, took a deep calming breath, and opened the doors. He walked swiftly over to the Nurse at the desk.
"Excuse me." He said with a genial smile. "Could you please direct me towards Mr. Potter's exam room?" He vaguely remembered the woman at the desk, her last name was Simon or Simone or something like that. She had been a Ravenclaw about a decade ago.
"Headmaster!" She greeted him with no small amount of surprise. "Mr. Potter you say? I'm sorry sir but he has an escort with him now, so I can't let you back there. Only one at a time is allowed, but they should be out any minute now. Healer Brigand was just up here to give me his chart for check out." She smiled warmly at him, oblivious to his carefully hidden aggravation.
Just as he was about to argue with the woman, the door behind her opened and Severus Snape stepped out. He stopped abruptly when he saw the Headmaster standing there. For once, the ever-present twinkle in the old man's eye was missing. He was unhappy indeed and he would let Severus know that as soon as they were safely ensconced back at Hogwarts.
Harry peaked around the potions master and felt rage well up inside him. He tried valiantly to keep it out of his eyes, he was not entirely sure he succeeded. He wanted answers from the man in front of him and he knew having a tantrum in the middle of the Pediatric Ward in St. Mungos would not get him any of those.
"Severus, I don't believe I gave you leave to escort Mr. Potter off school grounds." Blue eyes looked at onyx ones piercingly and with no little anger. "I think it would be best if we all returned to the school immediately. There are many things which need to be discussed."
Harry was still angry with the man, especially since he was again ignoring him and speaking only with Snape, but he had to admit to being scared as well. He could well see now why Voldemort still feared him enough to leave Hogwarts alone. Earlier when he and Snape had spoken of the Headmaster reaction, the man had seemed a little worried. He imagined Snape must have been mightily worried to allow Harry to see even that barest hint of apprehension. He understood that apprehension completely now.
When the Headmaster had uttered his previous words, he let loose a portion of his power and it was radiating from him in sharp waves. Harry had always been able to feel that power, even under normal circumstances because the man had such an abundance of magic. It just seemed to hover around him at all times. Feeling Dumbledore's magic had always made him feel reassured; now, however, it was making him feel far from that. It was incredibly intimidating. He supposed that was the reason the Headmaster was doing it.
Snape obviously felt the same. Harry stared disbelievingly as he felt Snape let loose some of his own power in retaliation. Were these two seriously squaring off right here in front of everyone? In a Pediatric Ward? He looked around and saw all of the children had abandoned their toys and were huddled with their mothers or fathers. None of them were crying, but they were all looking at the two fully-grown wizards in their midst with wary expressions.
"I think," Harry said in a quiet and intense voice, "You are scaring the children."
The two powerful wizards both turned and looked at him and then took in their surroundings. It was obvious they realized Harry was right because they instantly reined their magic back in and stepped away from one another.
Harry had other things to do at the moment then to sit and watch anymore posturing. He had something specific he needed to do before he left the hospital, so he took advantage of the two wizard's distraction and purposely walked toward the ward doors. Most of the kids had disentangled from their parents at this point and had congregated near the end of the couch closest to the doors. Some had already crossed over to the play area.
"Don't worry little sprogs." He said ruffling one small boy's hair as he slowly passed them. "Even adults throw fits every once in a while."
There was some quiet giggling at that pronouncement. As he passed through the ward doors he looked back to see if either of the other men were following him and saw, to his immense satisfaction, both men had spots of color high on their cheek bones.
Serves them right. Harry thought to himself as the ward doors closed behind him. Honestly. They were grown men. He had controlled his anger, and in his opinion he had much more to be angry about then either of them did. Although, he supposed Snape had just been reacting to the Headmaster.
He had only taken a few steps down the corridor when the ward doors opened again and the Headmaster quickly stepped out.
"Harry!" He called, walking briskly to catch up. Harry stopped and allowed him to do so trying hard to suppress the resentment he was still feeling for the wizard now standing beside him. Harry started walking again, refusing to look at the man beside him. It was immature, he knew, to refuse to look at the man as he had done all year, but he simply couldn't help it. Anyway, he was still only 15 and he felt justified in acting just that age.
"Professor Snape is handling the check out process and will meet us in my office as soon as he has finished." Professor Dumbledore broke the quiet, looking at the boy beside him who was steadfastly keeping his head facing forward. "I must admit I feel an explanation is in order. This little escapade to the hospital was unnecessary and I am still at a loss as to its purpose, for you at least."
The Headmaster was fishing for information. Harry knew he was. He was hoping that it was just general curiosity; he had caught them in the Pediatric unit after all. He almost certainly had no idea where he and Snape had spent the majority of the morning. If what Snape said were true, the man would be in for a shock when he discovered the potion master had been correct about his abuse. At least Harry hoped he was shocked.
He was all ready sickeningly aware that the man could have known about the horcrux. He was desperate to hear otherwise and even though he knew it was a possibility, deep down he couldn't believe the man he had trusted these last years could have known and said nothing. No matter what had happened this year the man he had known would never sacrifice him, as he knew would have had to happen. Right?
"I also feel an explanation is in order, sir. I think both need to wait until we are back at school." That was all Harry said. It was all he felt needed to be said. Dumbledore pierced him with a look but said nothing else as the walked back to the Entry Way.
Harry immediately turned to the Welcome Witch and inquired about the Finance Department. She told him where it was located, Dumbledore watching with mild curiosity the whole while. Harry bid the Lady a good afternoon and walked a few paces to the left where a nondescript door was sitting with a brass plaque was situated reading Finance Office.
"Harry, my boy," Harry heard the Headmaster say as he followed him. "I really must insist we…" The raven didn't even look at the Headmaster before he opened the door and walked in.
The reception area was small with only two small dark plum colored couches facing the reception desk, both with a plethora of different shades of orange pillows decorating them. There was a long dark wood side table between them covered in magazines and Daily Prophets; he could even see a Quibbler.
The reception Desk was set up in the far right corner of the room and the three office doors were on the right wall, the first two of which were closed.
Harry heard the Headmaster shut the door behind them as he walked to the reception desk.
"Excuse me sir." He said to the fair-haired man sitting at the desk. "I need to speak with someone…" The man didn't even look up from what he was writing when he cut him off.
"Just go in the first door. Mr. Shelton will help you."
Harry shook his head slightly wondering if everyone in this place was having an off day. The people working here needed to work on their people skills. He walked over to the first door and knocked on the door jam.
"Sir?" He asked in a voice barely above a whisper. It was so quiet here compared the waiting room he had just been in!
A man with light brown balding hair looked up for his paperwork. He stood and Harry could see he was a portly man. He had a gentle smile and many laugh lines on his face.
"Come in. Come in." He said waving them in. He reached his hand across the Desk toward Dumbledore.
"Horatio Shelton, and you are Albus Dumbledore correct?"
Harry tuned out the rest of the conversation out as he looked around the warmly decorated office. It was covered in pictures of who he assumed were the man's children and grand children. He only looked around a moment. There wasn't anything particularly interesting in here and he had business to get to in any case. He tuned back into the two men's conversation just in time.
"I believe young Mr. Potter here wished to do some business with you today, I am merely along as chaperone." Harry had to repress a snort. The old man was great at spinning things it seemed. Harry was sure if it had been up to Dumbledore they wouldn't even be in this room right now.
Horatio Shelton looked inquisitively at Harry, eyes flicking briefly to his scar, and then gestured for both men to sit.
"You see, sir." Harry started after they had all settled comfortably in their seats. "I wanted to enquire about paying the fees I accrued today. I also l wanted to see about paying the fees accrued by Hermione Granger. I think she's probably going to be back for some follow ups and I want to pay for those as well." He was forgetting something, he knew it, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember what it was.
Meanwhile, the Accountant was looking at Harry as though he had never seen anyone quite like him. He surreptitiously shot Dumbledore and inquiring look. When the older man nodded his head, he was even more astonished. In his experience, teenagers were a selfish lot. Paying for someone else's medical bills was about as unselfish as one could get.
"Oh I remember." Harry said suddenly. "Ron Weasley will most likely be coming for some treatments this summer as well. I think he will be seeing some mind healers, but I'm not sure. I would like to pay for his expenses then too"
Harry finally noticed the look on the man's face and decided to explain a little.
"They were both injured last night because of my stupidity." The man smiled a little at that. This he could reconcile with a teenager. Stupidity.
"I just want to do this for them. It's' the right thing to do." Harry finished.
Harry didn't miss the look of pride on Professor Dumbledore's face, nor the twinkle returning to his eye, but he steadfastly ignored it. Under normal circumstances, both would have filled him with joy. Now, he felt very little. There was too much between them that needed to be discussed. His attention shift to Mr. Shelton as the man spoke.
"Very responsible of you, Mr. Potter. Very responsible indeed." Harry blushed pink at that declaration.
"Well." Said Mr. Shelton clapping his hands together once for emphasis. "Lets get started shall we?"
Twenty minutes later Harry and Professor Dumbledore exited the floo into the Headmasters office. Harry was quite pleased with how things had gone in the finance office and though his trust vault would be quite a bit emptier now, but he felt good about what he had done. He didn't know what Hermione's parents reaction would be, but he was dreading facing Mrs. Weasley when she found out. He shuddered visibly at this though and Dumbledore shot him an inquisitive look he didn't see.
Professor Snape was waiting, very impatiently, standing next to the large desk in the middle of the room. The scowl on his face let everyone know his displeasure at having to wait.
Professor Dumbledore was seemingly unaffected by this and simply went and sat in the regal looking chair behind his desk. Harry fidgeted nervously for a moment before walking forward and standing between the two chairs in front said desk. He didn't feel much like sitting at the moment. He was angry, and nervous, and in all actuality, he thought he might just be sick. He wanted answers but he thought, just this once, that maybe he could remain ignorant. It would probably hurt much less. He had a decidedly bad feeling about this meeting.
"Severus." Dumbledore started as soon as he realized neither Harry not Severus had any intention to sit. "For the moment we will over look the fact that you consented to escort two students off school grounds without notifying me. Poppy will need to be here as well when we discuss that. I would like to know, child, why you took Mr. Potter to the Pediatric Center and what exactly was done there."
Severus glare could have melted steel and Harry wasn't doing much better.
"I am standing right here, Headmaster." Harry said, his quiet voice wavering slightly from trying to keep his temper. "If you would like to know, maybe you should ask me."
For the first time in months, Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter looked each other in the eye. Harry did not even try to stop the anger and hurt from shining through. He couldn't even dredge up the smallest amount of pity when he saw the old man almost visibly age before his eyes.
"I think those explanations can wait for another time. Severus, if you would excuse us, there are some things I need to discuss with Mr. Potter." Snape maintained his glare but nodded his head in assent.
"He can stay."
Both men looked at him incredulously for a moment. Snape was the first to recover and let a small smirk play over his mouth. He walked over to the chair to Harry's left and sat down, rather smugly in Harry's opinion.
Dumbledore recovered soon after. "Harry we will be talking of certain things I am unsure you would want Severus to be present for. Sirius, for example."
At the mention of Sirius' name, a glass orb, which had been sitting on the headmaster's desk, exploded. Fawkes gave a reassuring sounding trill, flew from his perch, circled Harry once, and then flew back to his perch. The trill was enough to calm Harry's magic. The other men were looking at him in a way Harry couldn't place.
"You have said, Headmaster that you trust Severus Snape and I should as well. I didn't trust him when it mattered and my friends were hurt and my godfather is dead." He choked the last word out with some difficulty.
"He can stay." Harry may still dislike the man's attitude, but he had done something no other adult had ever done. He had stood up for him and got him help. He would never have to go back to the Dursley's and for that; Harry would trust the man anything.
The Headmaster sighed sadly. "Harry, I must confess, if I had been honest with you from the very beginning all of this could have been avoided. Come, sit down, and I will tell you of an old man's mistakes."
As Harry watched the Tear roll down the Headmaster's cheek, he felt numb. He looked over at Snape and saw him sitting with his head in his hands, elbow resting on his knees.
He had been told many things this hour, the largest being the prophecy and Snape's roll in it. He felt he should be raging at the man right now; only, Snape had been the one who had interrupted the Headmaster while he had been recounting to Harry about the nameless Death Eater listening at the door and hearing the prophecy. Snape had told Harry how it had been he who had listened in and then, later, related the prophecy back to Voldemort.
Harry was upset, but not overly so. The man had told him the truth, after all, even when the Headmaster hadn't wanted to. Snape had seemed so incredibly torn up about it that Harry hadn't said one cross word. It was obvious he regretted that decision and had switched sides to make up for it.
He was curious about why exactly Snape had switched sides when he found out who Voldemort was targeting but that could wait. It was small in comparison to every other question still needing answering. No, he wasn't angry with Snape, the man had made his mistake and was still trying to atone. The Headmaster however, was very different.
The raven-haired boy wanted to forgive the man he had looked up to for so long, and he could, for this. He had done what he thought was best to keep everyone safe and Harry understood that. Because of that deceit, however, other issues had arisen.
The problem was Harry now knew the Headmaster was willing to hide important information from him. Information that could cost lives, intentional or not. What else had he hidden?
"If one more thing happens today I'm going to have a complete break down." Harry whispered as he leaned back in his chair and ruffled his hair. It was true and he knew it. Talking about Sirius had ripped him open.
"May I inquire what else happened today, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore said quietly. Harry looked up at him and then over at Snape, who had finally sat up and was looking as composed as ever.
Harry wasn't sure where to start. Dumbledore was unaware of where he and Snape had been most of the morning. Harry could tell him now and maybe see by the reaction if he knew about the soul piece. Another part of him wanted to tell him about the Dursleys first and get that finished. Thankfully, Snape decided for him.
"I took Mr. Potter to the Pediatric wing for a full diagnostic work up, Albus. The deeper invasive scan turned up some disconcerting results." Snape said in his usual brisk way. The Headmaster look surprised briefly before gathering himself once more. He was looking at the Potions Master with a skeptical look. Harry felt like a lead weight had settled in his stomach and he was suddenly glad he had never confided in the man before. He wouldn't have been believed.
"Really, Severus, and exactly what did they find? I am sure there was nothing so bad as to warrant a trip to the hospital." Dumbledore said with iced over blue eyes Harry was surprised to see.
"They found a long history of broken bones, dislocated shoulders, deep bruising, and long term malnutrition. Nothing at all serious, just like you assured me." Snape said the last bit with so much sarcasm even Harry flinched. Dumbledore was looking surprised again.
"Oh yes, and let us not forget the fact that none of those injuries were treated. At. All." The Potion master looked calm as ever as he dealt the Headmaster another blow. The old man looked at Harry over his half moon shaped spectacles in an almost assessing way, and then his gaze became softer. Harry could feel the heat creeping up his neck and looked down at his hands as he entwined them in his lap.
"Harry you must understand." The old man said quietly, obviously trying to placate Harry. The boy got the distinct feeling the Headmaster didn't really believe Snape's assertions. "They are your only blood. Not only did the blood wards protect you, but you should have been with them regardless. Family is important. I truly believed you would do best in their care."
"Blood relations aren't always best, Albus." Snape cut in quietly.
"You are projecting your own childhood onto Harry, Severus. Not every unhappy child is abused." Snape sucked in a breath and look of hurt crossed his face for a moment. Harry winced in sympathy. What a horrid thing to say. The Headmaster then turned back to Harry, a kind smile on his face.
"Rest assured," said the bespectacled man gently, "I will speak with the Dursleys personally to make sure you are treated well by them for the duration of your stay there."
Harry whipped his head up and gaped at the man. He was sure he looked like a complete idiot but he couldn't bring himself to care. He looked to Snape but the man was back to sneering and was shaking his head. Evidently he had expected this, Harry had not.
He couldn't believe the old man thought talking to the Dursley's about treating him better would do anything but make things worse for him. Besides, the worst had happened years ago, no amount of talking was going to change anything that had happened. Anger started to well within him again.
"I didn't realize the wizarding world had such a lenient view of child abuse." Harry said wanting to see the Headmaster's reaction. It was both disappointing and not.
"Abuse?" He truly looked scandalized. "My dear boy, while the Dursley's may not enjoy your residing in their home, I daresay they would never truly harm you physically in a purposeful way. Any accidents that occurred…" Harry didn't even give him a chance to finish. A few of the delicate golden instrument on the table behind him exploded.
"Accident?" He whispered in a shaking, disbelieving voice as he stood from his chair. "You think they were Accidents?" He voice was louder now, his teeth clenched tightly together. "Did you even hear what Professor Snape said? Broken bones are not accidents! Hiding me until I bruised was no accident! DENYING ME FOOD WAS SURE AS HELL NOT AN ACCIDENT!" His voice had steadily risen until he was yelling at the man in front of him, who was looking stricken, whether by the things being said or Harry's tone, he couldn't be sure.
"I never said a word, because I didn't think it was worth it; the worst was over, so who would care? Not you, right Professor? You knew they hated me, and didn't feed me at least. Mrs. Figg has been reporting to you for years but you did nothing. WHY?" He asked viciously.
Harry hadn't wanted anyone to know about his abuse. It was embarrassing and painful to remember, but now that the secret was out, he was beyond mad that this man was trying to downplay it. The fact that Snape, who hated him, seemed to care more than the man he had idolized hurt him immensely and, culminated with everything else that had happened today and last night, being angry seemed the easiest outlet.
"I was abused" He said in a steady voice, anger laced in every syllable.
"I have all ready told you how, and so has Professor Snape. My Aunt and Uncle hurt me and neglected me, sir. Are you saying you think I am lying about this?" He ignored the vague shaking of the old man's head. It really meant nothing.
"Even if you don't believe me, you must believe Snape. He was there during the healer's exam! He saw the reports!" Harry told him fiercely trying to stem the angry tears threatening to break free.
"You have always told me you trust Severus Snape. Now is the time to prove to me you do. He isn't making this up and neither am I." Harry took a steadying breath and peaked at Snape. The man looked surprised at his declaration but gave him a small encouraging nod just the same, so Harry continued.
"The Healers at St. Mungos have documented everything all ready, sir, so I guess it doesn't really matter if you believe us or nor. It is, after all, why we were in the Pediatric Ward in the first place.
"I was told I would be visited by a case worker as soon as the Child Services Department goes through my file." Harry waited a moment for the words to sink in, feeling oddly hollow. His anger burnt out suddenly, and he realized at that moment that he would never be able to trust Dumbledore again.
"They will be coming to the school; I'm sure, sometime next week." He said as he shook himself out of his musings.
"The Healer said I would be given a list of pre-approved foster homes. They evidently have some process of evaluation and have to be certified able to foster. I guess we'll worry about all that when the time comes, but you should know, nothing is going to change it sir. I, for one, am Happy about finally being out of the Dursley's home permanently. It was the only pleasant thought I had all day."
He took a moment to steady his breathing and then gracelessly flopped into the chair he had briefly abandoned in his anger. He slid his right thumb and first digits up under his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. He truly needed to sleep.
The silence lasted for less than thirty seconds, until finally the old man gave in.
"I believe you both, my boy. I am sorry to say I had not known the lengths at which the Dursleys would go to show their displeasure of your continued lodging in their home." He said as he ran a weary hand through his beard.
"I knew, of course, that they would begrudge you some comforts but I never truly thought you may be in danger in their care. They are your family. It is difficult for me to imagine such a thing occurring."
After a moment of what seemed like internal dialog the old man looked up at Harry and the boy was surprised to see disappointment in the man's gaze. He was even more surprised by the tightening in his gut. It seemed the Headmasters opinion still meant something to him.
"I must say though, I never thought you would put your own personal comfort above the lives of innocents Harry." Harry visibly recoiled. Is that what the man thought he was doing?
"I know you were unhappy there, my boy, and I know now you suffered what no child should ever have to. Nevertheless, don't you see it was for the best? You were safe there from those in the wizarding world who would have harmed you. Those who hunted you after your parent's death would have done so much worse to you than the Dursley's ever did."
"It was also safe for everyone else, Harry." The man continued in a soft, kindly voice. "As long as you were with the Dursleys, no one could get through the wards to harm you, but they also protected your family as well. That does not hold true with whoever takes you in now."
Harry sat there looking at his lap, shocked, upset, and guilty. He had wanted desperately to leave the Dursleys but now he wondered if it were truly the right decision. Would their home be found now he was no longer going to be residing there? It seemed so. And what about the family that took him in? He hadn't really thought that far ahead, and now it looked as though he would be putting even more people in danger. The silence permeated the room as the boy began to succumb to the guilt the headmaster had laid on his shoulders.
"How dare you." Harry looked up surprised to see Professor Snape standing rigidly in front of his chair with one of his most poisonous glares on his face. The man hissed through clenched teeth.
"How dare you sit there and tell this child it is his responsibility to ensure the safety of the adults around him! He is a child! It is up to those tasked with his safety to ensure he remains that way. It should never be the other way around, you senile old man!" He stood up and jabbed his long finger at the Headmaster.
"There is a limit of what you can heap on this child, Albus! Making him feel guilty about something that may happen, especially something that would not be his fault is despicable and you should be ashamed. You are the Headmaster of this school. It is your job to keep the children here safe. Not only from The Dark Lord but also from abuse of any kind. You are duty bound to investigate any allegations or hints of abuse. If you have other aspirations, you should have agreed to the post of minister, otherwise, I ask you to do the job you have been entrusted with! Abuse of a child is illegal and completely the abusers fault. It should never befall a child to decide whether it is best for others if he stay in an abusive situation. Never!" He banged his fist on the Headmaster desk for emphasis of that last word.
The child in question was still sitting in his chair, fingers twined together. He had gained back a little confidence after hearing Snape speak. The man was correct, after all. Something in the man's speech had struck him though, and so he felt compelled to speak before the Headmaster could offer his rebuttal.
"There is a limit." He said quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on the hands he held in his lap, fingers twisting slightly. "There is a limit of what I can endure. I have endured pain, and death, and hate, and a ridiculous number of other things and still, you ask more." He looked up at the man sitting stock still in his chair.
"I should not have to sit here and listen to you justify why you, even now, think the best place for me is with those who hate me so entirely." Harry stopped and took a deep breath.
"I should not have to sit here, the morning after I watched the only father figure I knew die, and listen as you try to make me feel guilty about getting away from my abusers. There is no justification in my mind for that." Tears prickled his eyes. All you have shown me is, to you, my best interests are secondary to everyone else's."
"That is not true, Harry."
"It is." He stated roughly. "It is and you know it. Do not try and sugar coat it, I understand well enough."
The room was still for a moment, each seeming to think of what to say next. The only sounds were those made by the portraits shifting in the background.
"I don't know what to say." The man said, and he did indeed look as though he was lost for words. "Harry, you and Severus must think me heartless, and it is obvious that I have lost
A great deal of trust from both of you. Understandably so, it seems. I … don't know have to gain that back. I don't know how to even begin to apologize."
The man looked so sad and pitiful in that moment. Harry could hardly bear to look at him. He looked so completely broken. Harry knew, no matter what, he would never trust the man again, but he couldn't help but try to give the Headmaster a chance to redeem himself, if only for the mans own piece of mind, as idiotic as that was for him to care about.
"I need you to tell me the truth." The boy stated softly. "Have you done that? No more secrets? No more lying?"
The man shook his head solemnly. "There are no more secrets, child, no more."
Harry looked at the man guardedly. His stomach clenched when he realized there was a way to test that little statement, but did he really want to know the truth? It took only a moment but he decided he did. He was no coward to shy away from truths he had asked for. He needed to know the full extent of the man's manipulations.
"Good. That's good to know." He said as he broke eye contact and looked over at Professor Snape. He wasn't sure what gave him away, but as soon as Harry looked at Snape the mans eyes lit up with acknowledgment and walked over to Harry's chair and stood behind it.
The clenching in his stomach grew stronger and his hands shook minutely. Out of everything that had happened in the past 24 hours, this might very well be the thing he dreaded and feared most.
"I guess I should extend that same courtesy to you, it only fair." He took a fortifying breath. "Before we went to the Pediatric Ward we visited with a Healer in the Pectus Compospotis Ward, he had some…troubling news."
Harry watched as what little of the Headmasters face could be seen paled almost completely and a gasp escaped his lips. It was in that moment Harry new the Headmaster had not been truthful, there was one more secret he had been keeping. He had known Harry was a horcrux. He had known Harry was fated to die and had sat by and done nothing to find a way to save him. He was to be a sacrifice.
Harry stood from his chair in a daze, his breathing ragged and a hand clutching his chest, which had exploded in pain.
Snape had stood as well and was currently ranting, and swearing at the still pale old man. Harry had known the possibility was there, but as he listened to Snape tell the old man what had happened during his possession, and subsequent visit to the healer, he had to be honest with himself. He had still been holding out the hope that the old man had not known. Oh, how wrong he had been!
He was alone, he realized then, as he tried to hold back the tears welling in his eyes. Utterly alone. He hadn't felt this hollow since his early years at the Dursleys. Tears began to run unchecked down his face as he realized the enormity of the past day. He had lead his godfather to his death, and the man he had trusted more than anyone had been planning his death for who knew how long.
"You knew?" He half sobbed. Both older men turned at that point, they had evidently forgotten about him while Snape had been blistering the headmaster's ears.
"You knew this whole time?" He forced the strangled sounding words out of his mouth. He wasn't looking at either men, he couldn't bear to look upon either face at that moment. Tears were still running down his face, so he hastily wiped them away and took a step back from the desk he was in front of and bumped into the chair behind him. He saw both men start forward, as if they thought he would fall.
"Don't touch me!" He sobbed out at the Headmaster who had made his way around his desk and reach out for him. Harry jerked away and stepped back behind the chair.
"You've known, all along, that I would have to die? How could you?" He asked, finally looking up at the old man. "How could you look at me knowing you were planning my death and still twinkle those fucking blue eyes at me!" He was still sobbing, but he was angry know.
"I trusted you! I would have done anything, anything, you asked of me. I did do anything! I would have let you lead me around anywhere if I had thought you would be even a tiny bit happy with me because of it. You were the first adult I ever trusted." He tried to calm his breathing but he couldn't, even when the windows started rattling in their panes.
"You tricked me, made me trust you, when all this time I was only alive to die at the right time!"
He couldn't speak anymore. He could barely breathe. He felt as if his heart were literally breaking. The pain in his chest was getting worse and he felt as though he just wanted to curl up in ball and die. It would surely be kinder than feeling this horrible pain, the awful feeling of betrayal and grief.
He was glad when strong arms grasped him about the chest from behind, pining his upper arms to his sides, pulling him back together if only for a moment. He reached both arms up to grasp the forearms holding him so tightly and bowed his head, sobbing pitifully.
He looked up at the old man one last time, barely recognizing the tears running down his wrinkled cheeks and whispered one last broken "How could you." Before he was port-keyed away from the headmaster office and into the infirmary.
Several heads popped out of various curtains when they arrived. Madam Pomfrey and the entire Weasley family came out of one, Luna and her father, and Neville and his Gran out of the other two. Neither man noticed this however, so caught up in their own world they were.
Snape still had his arms around Harry and was dragging him back toward the private room Hermione had been in only a few short hours ago. Harry couldn't have cared less, he couldn't hold in his grief and rage any longer, and as he sagged in the potion masters arms he let out a cry of such grief and anguish it tore at even the greasy haired man's long cold heart.
Everyone in the room stood paralyzed as they listened to the fifteen year old's heartache. Everyone had, by that point, been told of the death of the boys godfather and assumed this was the cause. No one moved for a heartbeat more until, surprisingly, Neville got up to help. He jumped out of his bed swiftly and raced over to help Professor Snape pull Harry to the private room. By the time they got there Neville had tears in his eyes from listening to the anguish his friend was obviously in.
Neville crawled up into the bed and he and Snape hoisted Harry into it. Neville sat his back against the pillows against the headboard, placed another pillow in his lap, and gently laid the distraught boy's head onto it. He began to run his fingers through the all ready messy hair trying to give the boy as much comfort as he could.
Snape immediately stepped out of the room, obviously uncomfortable, and into the crowd of people congregated there. The adults seemed to drift a little away, listening as Snape told them an edited version of the goings on at St. Mungos and the Headmasters office. The other children however, stayed where they were. They had eyes only for their friend.
"I've never seen Harry
"cry, he's always
"stopped himself, before." Said the twins.
"Mum told me last year about what happened in the hospital wing." Ginny said, leaning on Luna a little, keeping the pressure off her recently healed ankle. "She said she couldn't understand how he was able to keep himself from crying, but he did."
"He must be in horrible pain to let himself go like this." Luna said and then added dreamily "I'm sure he could use a hug, those always make me feel better, when I'm sad."
They all looked at one another for a moment before the twins simultaneously stepped into the room and unfastened there cloaks and discarded their fuchsia robes until they were in only trousers and shirts. They both whipped out their wand and while George enlarged the bed and Fred Accio'ed extra pillows and blankets.
Luna picked up a blanket, covered Harry, unashamedly crawled onto the blanket at the end of the bed, sat cross-legged on it exactly opposite of Neville, and laid Harry's blanket covered feet in her lap. George steeped up next and rearranged the weeping boy so his own head was pillowed on Neville's lap and Harry's was on his chest with the redhead's arm wrapped around his shoulders. Neville continued to card his fingers through Harry's hair, despite the changed position.
Fred climbed onto the other side, spooned up behind Harry, and laid his hand right over the boy's heart. One of Harry's hands immediately gripped it. Ginny had lain next to George and was mirroring Harry's position. She grabbed Harry's other hand and brought it over so the two were laying on George's chest between them.
Harry immediately turned into the comfort, having never known anything like it before. He continued to weep for all he had lost, but as he cried himself to sleep he was reassured by the bodies entwined with his, the reassuring touches, and the whispered encouraging words of his friends. The last thought he had before he succumbed to slumber was that he had been mistaken when he thought he was alone.
I know it has been forever since I have updated but I moving this month. Not just moving though... Moving from Japan, where I live, back to the States! With three kids, a husband, and a dog. Needless to say, I am busy. Bonus for you though! All the hours on the planes will be lovely time for writing. Expect a brand new chapter sometime before Christmas.
I've had a few reviewers leave some questions and I have been neglecting answering them so I thought instead of individually messaging each person, I would just address it here so they aren't repeated
1. Parstletongue or however it is spelled. I want Harry to still have this trait. I really really do. I think it will be good for Harry and Voldie to have their own language. I think it helps with them getting to know one another. Can I make this work? I just don't know yet. Harry isn't going to be descended from Slytherin so that will make it harder. If I can not make it work reasonably I won't do it. So if you have an idea, by all means, let me know. ( :
2. Poppy and Harry do have the basis of nice relationship type thing going. Not really mentor or motherly but he trusts her to an extent. He spends enough time with her! Should it become motherly? I'm not overly fond of Molly, so maybe this would be a good substitute.
3. Snape and Harry are going to become closer…strictly platonic of course. Right now Snape still is not fond of Harry, but when Harry stood up for Mione the way he did, it showed Snape how much like Lily Harry truly can be. He may look like his father but he was willing to sneak around Dumbledore to protect a loved one and that makes Harry more like his mother, in Snape's opinion. That's why he has been a little bit less of a bastard.
4. The Healer knowing of Horcruxes. Is that the plural of Horcrux? Anyway, the Healer knew about them because his job is knowing about Soul and Mind Healing. He has been there 50 years and I personally agree with Setsuna-X 's statement that if Slughorn knew about them then it is plausible a Healer in the field he is in would know. I mean think about it. Tom Riddle found out about them at Hogwarts! From the Library! Healer Morris is older than Tom so he went to Hogwarts before him when the books were still on the shelf. Now, if Hogwarts had those books I would think anywhere where healers trained would have a pretty intense library and may also. Since he deals with similar magic I would assume he would have come across the reference at some point at least.
5. Dumbledore isn't evil in this story. He's mostly completely misguided and looking at "The Greater Good" He cares about Harry but is willing to sacrifice him for Riddle. Think about the fact that he was willing to take his sister, who was mentally unstable, along on his 'conquer the world tour' with Grindlewald and I think you can see this isn't a new thing for him.
6. We will see Voldy soon! Which brings me to ask, In future chapters, what do you think Harry should call him? I don't think any amount of sanity is going to change Riddles mind about liking or tolerating the name Tom. He didn't want to be called Tom at 11. So I was thinking, maybe Marvolo. I think Voldie would be more okay with that. Is that to strange? What do ya'll think?
Thanks for reading and make sure you review!