"Good evening, Mr. Potter," Alexei said the next evening as he brought a tray of food. Severus was dealing with Draco Malfoy and had asked Alexei to check on Harry.

"Hello, sir," Harry said. He was nearly completely healed though he had scars on his arms, legs, and chest that showed exactly what had happened to him. Madam Pomfrey had said he would be released from the infirmary after he ate dinner. She had done scans that revealed that he had not yet brought his weight up to where it should be as an eleven year old even with the Nutritive Potions he had every day.

"How are you feeling today?" Alexei asked, walking over to stand next to the boy's bed.

"Better. I'm ready to leave," Harry said and Alexei chuckled.

"I'm sure you are," he said. "I understand. I've never been fond of hospitals either."

"I've never been to one before I came to Hogwarts but I've been here so many times this year now," Harry said. "I already have my own bed."

Alexei laughed again. "Well, you'll be free just as soon as you finish your dinner." He slid the tray across Harry's lap and Harry smiled.

"Thank you, sir." He picked up his fork and began to eat though he ate quite slowly. "May I ask why you are here, sir?"

"Here in the infirmary or here at Hogwarts?" Alexei asked.

"Both."

"I am visiting with Professor Snape. He is a good friend of mine and he has asked a favour of me," Alexei said. "As for here in the infirmary, Professor Snape is disciplining Mr. Malfoy and asked me to bring you your dinner and make sure you were all right."

"Why would he do that? And why would you agree?" Harry asked, genuinely confused.

"He wants to make sure you're all right. He cares about you," Alexei said and Harry's face scrunched up in confusion. "He is gaining guardianship of you, is he not?"

"Well, yeah, but only temporarily and it's just 'cause he feels sorry for me," Harry said.

"Hasn't he helped you this year when Mr. Malfoy has caused you trouble?"

Harry shrugged. "He's tried. Malfoy just keeps picking on us."

"But he has tried. He has tried to help you have a good experience here," Alexei said and Harry shrugged again.

"It hasn't been much different from my relatives', to be honest," Harry said dully. "The only difference is that my uncle's not here to hurt me."

Alexei sighed. This poor child. Had he ever known happiness or even contentment? "Have you talked to anyone about what your relatives have done to you?"

"Kind of," Harry said. "I told Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape that they hurt me when they saw my scars. That's it. I'm surprised they even believe me. No one ever believes me."

"You have proof that cannot be ignored."

"Sure it can. Everyone always has."

"Well, not here," Alexei said. "There are people here who care about you, as foreign as that may be. Professor Snape is one of those people. He does not care for pity and will never show you pity. He will also never do anything unless it is what he wants to do."

Harry looked at the man as though searching for the truth. He had never had anyone care about him so why should it be any different here at Hogwarts? So far things hadn't been much different. He had people picking on him and always hurting him. Dean was the only difference so far. Dean was actually his friend. He was sure Snape was only helping him out of pity no matter what Mr. Alexei said. Why would anyone want to help him? He was a freak that did nothing but get into trouble. Couldn't they see that? He had already been in the hospital wing so many times in his first year just because he couldn't stand up to a bully.

He just shook his head in response to Alexei's words. No one could really care about him. He was a freak and a burden. Why else would Uncle Vernon hit him? He had to always be reminded where he stood in the world, where he stood with his relatives. He hadn't forgotten those lessons. He knew better.

He heard Alexei sigh and kept his eyes on his dinner. He didn't want to make the man sad or mad, but he was only telling the truth. Even if Snape looked for a family, what family would want to give up their lives for a stupid little orphan? And if Snape did find a family somehow, what would stop the family from hurting him the same way his relatives did?

"Eat up, ребенок," Alexei said, sounding resigned.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked after eating a forkful of salad. "That last word you said? It doesn't sound English."

"It's Russian," Alexei said. "It means 'child'."

"Oh, you're Russian," Harry said and then blushed at Alexei's look. "I didn't know what your accent was before."

Alexei chuckled. "I suppose it is difficult to determine when you have not heard it before."

Harry nodded. "I've never met anyone from somewhere else. I've only been around English people though I haven't even been around them much."

"Children rarely have the opportunity to be social," Alexei said.

"How do you know the professor?" Harry asked, effectively though not surreptitiously changing the subject.

"I was his mentor when he was becoming a Potions master," Alexei said. "I have known him for several years now."

"You taught him?"

"In simple terms, yes," Alexei said, nodding.

"You must be really good," Harry said. "The professor is. I guess it's why he's a Potions master."

Alexei laughed lightly. "Yes, he is probably the best apprentice I have had. I have had many years to perfect the art of Potions. Anyone can get better with time."

"I don't think Professor Snape feels the same," Harry said with a tiny smile. "There are some people in class that aren't good at all."

"How about you?" Alexei asked casually.

"I'm all right," Harry said, shrugging slightly. "I don't think I'm a Potions master in training or anything but I do okay. It's harder when you're focusing on not letting other people throw stuff in your cauldron."

"Yes, that can be difficult," Alexei said, "especially as that is what has caused you be here once again."

"Yeah," Harry said. "I've lost count of how many times I've been here already."

"For your potions, why don't you use a Containment Spell?" Alexei suggested.

"Huh?" Harry said blankly.

"It is called a Containment Spell. It will prevent anyone from placing items in your cauldron except for you," Alexei explained.

"Oh. I've never heard of it," Harry said.

"If I am correct, it will be in your Defence book. Chapter eight," Alexei said. "I'm sure Professor Snape will also help you should you need it."

"I don't wanna bug him," Harry said, with a little shrug.

"He would not mind," Alexei said.

Harry just shrugged again.

"Mr. Potter."

Harry and Alexei looked at Snape as he entered the hospital wing.

"Alexei, have you been distracting the boy so much he has been unable to eat?" Snape said and Harry looked down at his plate in surprise. He had hardly eaten a thing not that he ever ate very much as it was. He flushed and dropped his head, waiting for the angry shouts and possible slap.

"We have been having pleasant conversation," Alexei said. "I suppose it was so engaging that he simply forgot he was hungry."

Snape snorted but said nothing. "How are you feeling, Mr. Potter?"

"Better, sir," Harry said. "Bored."

"I imagine so," Snape said with a smirk. "If you were to finish your dinner, you could leave."

Harry dropped his eyes again, ashamed. "'M not really hungry, sir."

"Has the Nutritive Potion not been helping your appetite?" Snape said, frowning.

Harry shrugged. "I've been eating a little more lately but I don't know if it's from the potion. It still hurts if I eat too much."

"There may be more significant damage to your stomach than we thought," Snape said. "Madam Pomfrey will have to do some scans."

Harry's face twisted. "More scans?"

Snape's lips quirked into a smirk. "More scans."

Harry groaned, making Alexei chuckle and Snape's smirk grow.

"Severus Snape, you had better not be aggravating my patient."

Snape rolled his eyes to the ceiling and turned to the matron.

"You are releasing him so there is nothing to aggravate," he said.

Pomfrey's eyes narrowed. "Behave."

Snape just raised an eyebrow.

"Hello again, Poppy," Alexei greeted and Pomfrey smiled.

"Alexei, it has been some time," Pomfrey said.

Alexei nodded. "Many years."

"What brings you out of the Ministry?"

"Severus has requested a favour."

"Has he?" Pomfrey looked at Snape in surprise, making him scowl. "It must be important."

"It certainly is," Alexei said.

"If you two don't mind," Snape interrupted. "Poppy, would you please do extensive scans on Mr. Potter's stomach? I believe there may be damage that we missed."

Pomfrey immediately turned serious. "Oh dear."

Harry sat impatiently still and watched as Snape and Alexei moved off to the side, quietly talking. Pomfrey waved her wand in all sorts of patterns over his stomach, oblivious to his preoccupation. She instructed him to lift his shirt and he obeyed, flinching when she began to physically examine him. After her quiet apology, he returned to watching the two men. He frowned as he noticed that Alexei seemed to be paling. As he was responding to Snape, Harry thought he glimpsed what looked like a sharp tooth but he couldn't be positive.

Still frowning, his attention was dragged back to the nurse still prodding him. His thoughtful frown disappeared for a moment to be replaced with a scowl.

Eventually Pomfrey pulled away and let him pull his shirt back down. She motioned for Snape to rejoin them.

"His stomach has shrunk and is dangerously small and damaged from the chronic starvation. He will have to have treatment," Pomfrey said and Snape nodded.

"Potions and slow food build up," he said.

"Yes," Pomfrey said. "He will continue with the Nutritive Potion, of course, as it provides nutrients he has been denied all his life and is continuing to miss. You will have to brew the treatment potion."

"That potion takes eighty-two hours," Snape said. "You realize I have classes and surely it is unwise to allow Potter's condition to remain untreated."

"You brew lengthy potions all the time, Severus," Pomfrey said. "The potion is a part of the treatment. We cannot begin without it, as you very well know."

"It's really not a big deal," Harry interrupted as he realized how burdensome he was being. "I've managed most of my life this way. It doesn't matter much."

"It does matter, Harry," Pomfrey said. "Such damage can cause more serious problems later in life."

"But Professor Snape is busy and—"

"I will help with the potion," Alexei cut in. "We know Severus is busy and he can use the help with such a potion."

Harry's eyebrows furrowed. He was sure he had seen a longer than average tooth in Alexei's mouth. He thought it had seemed sharp as well. Had Alexei's teeth always been that way? Harry didn't think so but it wasn't as though he studied peoples' mouths and teeth all that closely.

"I was unaware you were remaining at the school longer than yesterday and today," Pomfrey said.

Alexei flashed a grin. "So was I."

Snape rolled his eyes once again. "When do you ever have solid plans?" he said to Alexei.

"Why plan everything out?" Alexei said. "Life is more fun this way."

"You would know. You've had decades to perfect it," Snape said. Harry found his confusion deepening at the man's words. What did he mean by 'decades'? Alexei barely looked older than twenty.

"Have to keep entertained," Alexei said. Snape just shook his head.

"Come," the professor said. "We will begin the potion now and you can eat."

"I can wait, Severus," Alexei protested.

"You will not. You are fully aware I keep some preserved for you," Snape said and Alexei nodded in acknowledgement.

"Very well," the young man said. "Lead the way."

"I have a difficult time believing that you are older than me," Snape said, sweeping from the infirmary. Alexei just grinned and followed his friend.

Pomfrey turned back to Harry. "Well, Mr. Potter," she said, "you may go now. I sincerely hope I don't see you here again anytime soon."

"I'd say you won't but I think I said that last time," Harry said, sliding off the bed onto his feet.

Pomfrey laughed. "Get out of here."

Harry smiled and left the hospital wing. He was happy to see that most of the students were in the Great Hall for dinner and so he could avoid seeing anyone, particularly Malfoy. He didn't know what punishment Snape had set Malfoy but Harry just knew Malfoy would be after him for it. He had his hands shoved in his pockets and his head down as he made his way to the dungeons. He was turning to the right at the bottom of the stairs to go to the dorms when Snape's voice stopped him.

"Potter," Snape said, standing down the hallway obviously about to go into his office or private rooms. "Come to my office when you wish treatment for your scars."

Harry blinked and then nodded. "Yes, Professor. Thank you."

Snape inclined his head and then disappeared through the door. Harry turned back and went to the Slytherin common room, muttering the password. He walked into the nearly empty common room, not acknowledging any of the other Slytherins that were there as he went straight to his dormitory. He pushed the door open and was surprised to see Dean sitting on his bed.

"Why aren't you at dinner?" Harry asked, walking over to his own bed.

"You told me yesterday you were being released today so I had an early dinner," Dean said. "Wanted to welcome you back home," he added with a smile.

Harry smiled back. "Thanks. Are you okay? I know you were released the day of the accident."

"I'm fine. Some of the potion hit my arm and burned it. Madam Pomfrey healed it and Professor Snape helped with the little bit of scarring that had been there," Dean said and proceeded to pull back his right sleeve. "It's like nothing happened."

Harry looked at his friend's perfectly smooth arm, comparing it to his own. His scarring wasn't bad but his skin was no longer smooth. Perhaps he should take Snape up on his offer. He wouldn't be causing the professor any trouble, would he? The professor had offered after all.

"What about you?" Dean asked.

"I've got quite a bit of scarring on my arms and even my chest. Professor Snape told me to come to him when I wanted help with the scars," Harry said though he made no move to reveal his own injuries. "Any idea what happened to Malfoy?"

"I actually haven't heard much but I heard Dumbledore refused Snape's demand to expel him."

"Expel?" Harry said in shock.

Dean nodded. "Apparently Snape was demanding that Malfoy be expelled but Dumbledore wouldn't let him. Malfoy's just got some detentions with Filch and Hagrid instead."

Harry frowned. "Hagrid?"

"Apparently Hagrid will be bringing Malfoy into the Forbidden Forest."

"Why? I thought students weren't allowed in there? It's called 'forbidden' for a reason, I'm sure," Harry said.

"He'll be with an adult so he's allowed and there's something going on with the unicorns," Dean said. "Hagrid's going to have Malfoy help him find the herd."

Harry shuddered at the thought of what could be hiding in those dark woods.

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Dean said. "So who was that guy with Snape?"

"His name is Alexei. He's a friend of Snape's," Harry said.

"Wonder why he's here," Dean said.

"Doing some kind of a favour for the professor."

Dean just nodded in understanding.

"I think there's something different about him though," Harry said and Dean looked at him curiously. "He has some sharp teeth."

"Maybe that's just the way his teeth are. Some people have sharp teeth," Dean said. "I have a cousin whose left canine was so sharp it cut open her lip. They had to get the dentist to file it so it wasn't sharp anymore."

"Maybe, but I don't think they were always like that," Harry said. "I don't remember seeing them the first time I met him."

"Do you really notice those kinds of things?" Dean said, raising an eyebrow.

"Not really but it's also something that's not hard to miss," Harry said. "They were really noticeable."

"But it's not like people can just grow some extra teeth," Dean said.

"I know," Harry said. "I know it sounds weird."

"Yeah, but we're also at a school for magic. I suppose anything is possible," Dean said. "Maybe even werewolves and vampires exist."

Harry looked at him with wide eyes. "You don't think they're real, do you?"

"Unicorns are," Dean said with a shrug. "Who knows what else exists in this world."

Harry sat frozen on his bed as Dean prepared himself for bed. It took confused prodding from Dean to get Harry ready as well.

As Harry fell asleep, his night was haunted by dreams of people with long bloody fangs and wolves tearing out of human bodies.


A/N: Alright, well, I'm not even sure what to say here. My hiatus basically turned into abandonment and I am very sorry about that. I have been getting and reading all your reviews though that have been coming in over the last couple years. Trust me when I say that each one hit me and tugged at a small part of me that always wanted to return. I'll be honest and tell you that I was gone for so long because I honestly did not think I was ever coming back. I fell into school, work, a serious relationship, and made attempts to focus on my own original work. I didn't think I would ever return to fanfiction despite my original love of it. I constantly talked to my boyfriend about my fanfiction and all my unfinished stories, my finished stories, and all of you guys. Yeah, I've told him all about you guys and how much I love you all and how much you guys really boosted me up. You guys are what started me truly believing I am and can, one day, be a true writer. He knows all about you and he is actually the one that encouraged me to try come back to fanfiction. I started off just reading old stories I had always found to be my favourites and as I did that I would always think back to my own stuff, all my unfinished ideas.

It's been two years which I'm sure was never my intention at the time when I took my break. But two years is what it became and I can't take that back. Straight up, I thought I was done. I thought fanfiction was out of my life, that I had moved on. As we can clearly see now, after all this time, that is not necessarily true. I'm back, at least as much as I can be. I'm taking my time though. I'm not writing five stories at once and fighting to post every day or every other day. I'm going to enjoy this again which I think I had been losing. I wasn't enjoying it anymore. My writing folder has come out of its early retirement. It was the folder that held everything to do with my fanfiction career and it's back. And so am I.

I hope I didn't lose too many of you over the last couple years but I understand if I did. Leaving for two years with hardly a word cannot be forgiven, but here I am. I'm back and I'm enjoying it.

Thank you to all of you that have stuck around and continued to review the last couple years. I have always appreciated it.

See you again in a bit - TeamFreeWill94 [previously TheGoldenTrio333]