Snape... felt sick. He always felt sick when such a discovery was made despite these check ups being held specifically to uncover such unpleasant truths. It reminded him too much of his own childhood. Proof that nothing ever changed.

People were wicked by nature. In many ways they made demons seem compassionate. 'Monsters' were beast out of desperation. They're lack of resources being the only reason they bothered to venture beyond their realm. Humans were cruel for no other reason then they wanted to be.

"I get in alot of fights with older boys" was the obvious lie Potter had told, a rehearsed lie by the tone.

"I see" Snape answered "Be aware such incidences will not be tolerated in Slytherin house" as if he believed him. They already had proof no need to torture the child with it.

Poppy seemed to disagree as she probed and pointed out many of the injuries could only be unflicted by an adult of a certain height. Trying to get the boy to talk about it. There'd be time for that later

"Go join Naruto in the common room" Snape dismissed "Your confined to it until Monday" 'go play exploding snaps or something' Snape thought not having it in him to deal with the boy after this. Playing in the third corridor would have to be address but not now "No sense wasting a Saturday"

The boy who lived eyed the potions master suspiciously before hopping off the bed and heading out.

Poppy was about to say something but Snape managed to leave himself before the words were formed.

###

Snape sat at his desk in the common room watching 'the boy who lived' by chess with 'the demon spawn'. Naruto having his pieces attack with full force, not caring how many he lost, and cornering in towards Harry's king. Harry being more concerned with keeping each piece in play, trying to save them all. Neither of them had a clue how to play.

The common room was fairly empty, most of the students playing outside. Snape's own mind was else where as he turned his eyes back to the scroll.

"Severus good to see you" Dumbledore smiled holding up a piece of candy "lemon drop?"

"would you care to explain this!" Snape had ordered slamming the scroll on the headmaster's desk "did it ever once pop into your head to actually check on the boy after depositing him with those muggles"

"Please Severus calm down have a seat" the old man smiled his eyes twinkling

"Read it" Snape growled his aura screaming for blood

Dumbledore calmly did as instructed, though not seeming surprised by the context his twinkle vanished "Harry's medical history," he acknowledged

"The only reason the boy hasn't starved to death is his magic is keeping him alive!" If his pathways hadn't been so developed he probably would have died. The sickening thought being they were probably more advanced then others his own age because the were constantly under stress healing the boy's wounds and keeping him alive.

"Yes it would seem so. I'll speak with his relatives to better his accommodations"

"Speak with them? You'll speak with them. I recommend hanging them!"

"I'm afraid there is little we can do about it" Dumbledore admitted "The blood wards are the only thing keeping him safe"

"You call this safe!"

"The only other person Harry has is Remus" the comment instantly silenced Snape "And the ministry would never allow that to happen. No they would put the boy in the system and insure he was under their control. At least with his relatives he's safe from dark wizards. I'm afraid there aren't any other options for him"

That conversation had been meaningless. It didn't get them anywhere. All it did was irritate the potions master as it proved Dumbledore was fully aware of the child's home life.

The bloody boy who lived, the savior of the wizarding world, was no better off then the half demon.

Snape was unfortunately familiar with this situation. Abused children under his care with nothing he could do about it. Mostly it was rich spoiled brats that's parents believed striking them in the face with a cane was alright so long as they got the kid a boy afterwards. Believing catering to the child's every whim made up for beating them.

With nobles Snape could hardly do anything because they were mostly Death Eaters and that would blow his cover. Part of him really hated Dumbledore for making him go through this. Snape admired the man's wisdom but he allowed to many evils in the name of the greater good. Snape was worse though. He knew it was wrong and still did it. He was worse.

###

"Checkmate" Harry replied

"What? No way, I was winning!" Naruto complained. He'd been attacking each piece so that none remained but he wasn't really paying attention to the board. He had over half of Harry's pieces.

"Naruto" Snape called "I believe Hagrid is waiting for you"

"Huh? Oh right" Naruto's ears flattened "Detention"

"Wasn't yesterday your detention?" Harry

"I've got it every weekend until further notice" Naruto sighed

"Every weekend?" Harry's eyes turned as wide as saucer

"At least it's with Hagrid" Naruto whispered so Snape couldn't hear before hoping up. He tried to look sad so his head of house wouldn't know he was looking forward to another night with the half giant.

Naruto walked over to the door and pushed it open catching a "Mister Potter" from Snape as he left "Bring the chess set here and we'll play for a bit"

Naruto smiled running down the hall as fast as humanly possible... maybe a tad faster. His bare feet warming the cold stone beneath them with ever step. Hagrid had recommended losing his shoes. An odd request but one he was happy to oblige. The ground spoke to him through his feet.

He gave a yelp of joy once they touched the grass outside. He chuckled moving even faster as his blood began to burn. Panic suddely gribbed him at the thrill he was feeling, the excitement calling out to his more savage nature. He instantly stopped his body tensing.

That was the good thing about shoes. He couldn't feel the Earth so it couldn't call out to him like that. Just a small trace of joy, the thrill of the slightest trace of unrestrained freedom, risked bringing out the beast.

Naruto sighed moving more carefully with his steps all the way down to Hagrids hut.

Half way there he spotted Neji sitting with one of the Weasley twins. They were leaning against a tree. Neji with a book in hand as the Weasley chatted away at a pace Naruto would feel comfortable but seemed impossible for a human tongue to get out that many words. A passing thought on which twin that was could only be partially formed as Neji suddenly took the red head's chin and forced it to face him. Without warning Neji pressed his lips against the ginger's. A soft gentle kiss that caused the Weasley to blush a tomato red right up to his ears.

Slowly parting Neji looked deep into the others eyes before softly commanding "Shut up" then going back to his book as if nothing happened.

The Weasley just stared eyes wide and face permanently red, his scent screaming out in confusion. Nartuto looked on not sure if it was Neji's only goal but the Weasley definitely stopped talking.

Walking past the scene Naruto hesitantly risked moving a bit faster to get away.

"Hi there Nar'ta" Hagrid grinned seeing the fox walking into his pumpkin field.

"Hey Hagrid" Naruto mumbled his mind still on the awkward kiss. He really wanted to know which twin that was. He could tell by the smell but he still didn't know who had what name. They seemed to get a kick out of people not knowing. Maybe he could ask Neji. Neji must know otherwise he won't be kissing one of them.

"Ya wan'ta go by da lake" Hagrid brought the fox back to Earth as he walked past him.

"Sure" Naruto smiled trailing after.

###

A/N: Finally I'm reaching plot and pairings! It took forever but I just had to get that first week out of the way.

What a rough week for poor little Naruto but things can only get better. Right?