Saving Harry
Chapter 9 –
"Lupin told me what you said to him, the other day in the library." Snape said the following morning in the library.
When he got no answer from Harry he continued, "You told him to get away from you because you were tainted."
"So?" Harry shrugged.
"Why do you think you're tainted?"
"I just am."
"That's hardly justification now is it?" Snape smirked
"Leave it." Harry hissed.
Snape rolled his eyes, he'd noticed that Harry always snarled 'leave it' if someone started a topic which was a touchy subject for Harry. "Tell me."
"No"
"Tell me"
"No"
"Tell me"
"FINE!" Harry screamed. "IT'S BECAUSE I'M A FREAK! I'M A GOOD FOR NOTHING WORTHLESS FREAK AND ALWAYS WILL BE! YOU KNOW IT, I KNOW IT, EVERYONE KNOWS IT AND THAT'S WHY I GET BEATEN, THAT'S WHY I GET RAPED! BECAUSE I'M A FREAK, NO ONE GIVES A DAMN ABOUT ME AND I DESERVE IT!"
Snape didn't know what to say, that was the most Harry had said to him about his abuse since Snape had found out but he relined his usual bastard self and smirked. "Are you done?"
"Good." Snape said as he took hold of Harry's fidgeting hands. "Now you listen to me and you listen well, you are not a freak do you understand me? You are not a freak! You did not deserve any of the misfortunate that was bestowed upon you, it was out of your control and not your fault! You did not deserve any of this. Did you ask to be beaten? Did you ask to be raped? No I didn't think so. For the love of Merlin, I will help you through this Harry." Snape lifted Harry's chin so that he could match his black eyes to his brothers green eyes.
Harry tried to pull away from Snape but failed he was forced to look into his brothers dark eyes. Harry shivered as he saw worry and pain in Snape's eyes, he didn't need anyone's sympathy. "Do you understand me little brother?" Snape repeated and Harry slowly nodded his head but Snape wasn't convinced.
"A verbal response would be nice." He smirked.
"Yes ...sir." Harry stuttered.
"Believe me Harry, I want to help you through this." Snape said seriously and then engulfed his little brother in a hug regardless of whether Harry wanted the contact or not. Harry didn't answer, the situation was awkward beyond belief, Harry was still having problems processing the fact that his much hated potions master was his brother let alone wanting help from said brother!
"Come on." Snape said standing up, "I think it's about time to show you our home."
"Our home sir?" Harry repeated,
"Yes, of course it's our home. Unless you want to go back to the Dursley's?" Snape smirked at the shocked expression on Harry's face,
"No, I... no." Harry mumbled.
"I thought not, well go and gather your trunk and we shall floo home for a few days before returning to Hogwarts."
Harry exited the library and slowly trudged up the stairs towards his room, as he reached his room he heard voices coming from Sirius' room down the hallway. Harry crept along the corridor and when he reached Sirius' door he realised that he and Remus were talking about him!
Harry burned with anger, first his dead godfather strolls back into his life, then he kicks off because it turns out that Snape is Harry's brother and so is James and now he's bitching about him! Harry was about to burst in and give Sirius what for when he heard exactly what Sirius was saying.
"I can't accept it Moony." Sirius said softly, "I knew James and Lily sent me back to help him but I never imagined that I would have to help through being abused and now with Snape as his brother? James said I had to help him until the right person came along. My time amongst you living is drawing to a close Moony I guess this wasn't meant to be a permanent thing. " Harry felt a tear roll down his cheek, Sirius was leaving again?
"I knew it wouldn't be permanent Siri but you need to talk to Harry about it." Remus added,
"I can't, he's not the same person. He is Snape's responsibility now"
Harry had heard enough, he turned and stormed into his room making as much noise as possible to show that he had heard what Sirius had said. Harry moodily gathered his belongings and threw what little items he had into his battered school trunk. As he dragged his trunk out of his room, he came face to face with Sirius but Harry only snarled.
"What are you doing here? I thought I was Snape's responsibility now?" Harry smirked as he saw the shocked look on Sirius' face. "In future, conduct your conversations a little quieter if you're going to bitch about someone."
With that he shoved his way past Sirius and dragged his trunk down the stairs. He saw Snape waiting for him in the kitchen, "Let's go." Harry snapped and Snape bowed,
"As you wish," Snape handed Harry a piece of paper, "Memorise this and we'll be off."
Harry looked down at the paper and read 'Spinners End' but he couldn't help smirking. "how apt" Harry laughed.
"Do you want to go or not?" Snape snapped.
"Yes" Harry said hurridly,
"Very well, I shall go first." Snape stepped into the fire muttering 'Spinners End' as he went and with a roar of green flame he was gone. Harry immediately followed Snape's lead and as soon as he saw Sirius burst into the kitchen, Harry had already said the address and was gone.
"Would you like to tell me what has got you so rattled?" Snape asked as soon as Harry dragged himself out of the fireplace.
"Not particularly." Harry said as he dusted himself off.
Snape looked at his brother for a moment and then decided that Harry wasn't going to say anything regardless of how forceful he could be. "I'll show you to your room."
Harry had to run to keep up with Snape's pace as they walked up the stairs and onto a dark landing, Harry passed door after door until they finally came to a halt at the very end of the corridor.
"This is your room" Snape told Harry as he pushed open the door to reveal a large plainly decorated room. Harry followed Snape into the room and gaped, this was far better than he had ever had in his entire life; the room was crisp and clean, there was a comfy looking bed and lots of space to move around in.
Snape watched in mild amusement as Harry's eyes widened as they scanned the room, honestly had this child never had adequate furniture in a bedroom before? But as soon as he had thought that, Snape berated himself as he remembered that this was his abused little brother not the spoilt little Potter clone.
"Is it to your liking?" Snape asked breaking the silence.
"Yes... it's... I... thank you." Harry couldn't seem to find the right words or form the right sentence for that matter and this caused Snape to smile slightly.
"You're welcome little brother, but you must remember that this is not something I have treated you to but something you should have." Snape commented.
"Sorry," Harry muttered,
"And stop apologising." Snape snapped causing Harry to jump slightly, "I'll leave you to unpack." And with a swish of his robes, Snape was gone.
