10 PM: September

Severus Snape walked down the lonely corridors of Hogwarts. He was thinking about the conversation earlier that night. Great, now I'm stuck with another kid. He thought bitterly. It wasn't that he didn't like kids, he just kept seeing James inside of Harry. But then the opposing thought same that he was Lily's son. The boy he vowed to protect, for Dumbledore. For Lily.

Snape walked to the dungeons where his House was. The Slytherin common room and dormitories are located in Slytherin Dungeon. Students enter the Dungeon through a concealed stone wall. They must present the correct password (it changes every fortnight) to open the wall and reveal the entrance to the common room. Slytherin's common room looks out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. The Giant Squid and other interesting aquatic creatures often pass by the windows. It has the feel of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck, but it is still quite cozy. The dormitories have ancient four-posters with green and silk hangings and bedspreads embroidered with silver thread. Medieval tapestries depicting the adventures of famous Slytherins hang from the walls. The light comes from silver lanterns hung from the ceilings. The Slytherin common room is a long, low-ceilinged, dungeon-like room filled with skulls and the like. There are high-backed chairs and a carved mantelpiece on the fireplace. The walls are rough stone. The light is green from the green hanging lamps and because it's located under the lake.

"Our emblem is the serpent, the wisest of creatures; our house colors are emerald green and silver, and our common room lies behind a concealed entrance down in the dungeons. As you'll see, its windows look out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by – and sometimes more interesting creatures. We like to feel that our hangout has the aura of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck."

Emerald Green. Snape thought. The color of her eyes. The color of his eyes. Severus sighed. He made it past the stone wall and saw a bunch of Slytherins in the Common Rooms. He saw Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Crabbe and Goyle. He sighed once more before straightening his robes. "Malfoy, Parkinson, Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle. Come with me." They stood up and looked at each other. They followed Professor Snape out into the hallway of the dungeons.

'Yes, Professor?" Crabbe asked dumbly. Practically his finger in his nose. Snape rolled his eyes.

"Fix yourself." And Crabbe did so at the demand of his Head of House. "We will be getting a new student in our House." They all looked shocked. This had never happened before.

"Who?" Draco asked.

"Potter." Snape said dryly. They looked, again, shocked. "He has been in the Hospital Wing. Recovering."

"From the abuse?" Draco asked and Pansy looked at him.

"Abuse? But Professor this never-"

"-Happened before. I know, Pansy. But you all need to welcome him. He is no different than you." He looked at Blaise who had a sour face.

"No different? Other than him being a Gryffindor and one of our enemies since day one..." Snape held up his hand and lead on a stern face.

"That's enough. You will welcome him and if not, there will be consequences. You hear me?" They all shook their heads. "He will share a room with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini. Since you are the only ones with an extra bed. If I hear you that one or both of you do not treat him like any other Snake, so merlin help you. Got that?" He added. His face turned into a grimace. They both shook their head. "You may go." They all entered their Common Rooms once more and Severus made his way to his own Private Chambers.

2:00 AM: September

Harry woke up. It was pitch black. He sat up and put his glasses on. He doesn't remember much of how long he has been out for or frankly, what happened. He stretched his arms and moved his body so his legs can dangle off the bed. He fell to the floor with his feet lightly to not wake anyone that would be there up. He felt a shiver run up his body as he felt the cold floor. He moved across the floor stepping softly and opened the door quietly and shut it behind him. He wondered around the corridors.

"So," he said, straightening up again. "Everyone from the Minister of Magic downward has been trying to keep famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black. But famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself. Let the ordinary people worry about his safety! Famous Harry Potter goes where he wants to, with no thought for the consequences." Harry stayed silent. Snape was trying to provoke him into telling the truth. He wasn't going to do it. Snape had no proof- yet. "How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter," Snape said suddenly, his eyes glinting. "He too was exceedingly arrogant. A small amount of talent on the Quidditch field made him think he was a cut above the rest of us too. Strutting around the place with his friends and admirer. The resemblance between you is uncanny."

"My dad didn't strut," said Harry, before he could stop himself. "And neither do I."

"Your father didn't set much store by rules either," Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. "Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners. His head was so swollen-"

"SHUT UP!" Harry was suddenly on his feet. Rage such as he had not felt since his last night in Privet Drive was coursing through him. He didn't care that Snape's face had gone rigid, the black eyes flashing dangerously.

"What did you say to me, Potter?"

"I told you to shut up about my dad!" Harry yelled. "I know the truth, all right? He saved your life! Dumbledore told me! You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for my dad!" Snape's sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk.

"And did the headmaster tell you the circumstances in which your father saved my life?" he whispered. "Or did he consider the details too unpleasant for precious Potter's delicate ears?" Harry bit his lip. He didn't know what had happened and didn't want to admit it- but Snape seemed to have guessed the truth. "I would hate for you to run away with a false idea of your father, Potter," he said, a terrible grin twisting his face. "Have you been imagining some act of glorious heroism? Then let me correct you- your saintly father and his friends played a highly amusing joke on me that would have resulted in my death if your father hadn't got cold feet at the last moment. There was nothing brave about what he did. He was saving his own skin as much as mine. Had their joke succeeded, he would have been expelled from Hogwarts." Snape's uneven, yellowish teeth were bared.

"Turn out your pockets, Potter!" he spat suddenly. Harry didn't move. There was a pounding in his ears. "Turn out your pockets, or we go straight to the headmaster! Pull them out, Potter!" Cold with dread, Harry slowly pulled out the bag of Zonko's tricks and the Marauder's Map. Snape picked up the Zonko's bag.

"Ron gave them to me," said Harry, praying he'd get a chance to tip Ron off before Snape saw him. "He brought them back from Hogsmeade last time-"

"Indeed? And you've been carrying them around ever since? How very touching… and what is this?" Snape had picked up the map. Harry tried with all his might to keep his face impassive. "Spare bit of parchment," he said with a shrug. Snape turned it over, his eyes on Harry. "Surely you don't need such a very old piece of parchment?" he said. "Why don't I just- throw this away?" His hand moved toward the fire.

"No!" Harry said quickly.

"So!" said Snape, his long nostrils quivering. "Is this another treasured gift from Mr. Weasley? Or is it- something else? A letter, perhaps, written in invisible ink? Or- instructions to get into Hogsmeade without passing the Dementors?" Harry blinked. Snape's eyes gleamed. "Let me see, let me see…" he muttered, taking out his wand and smoothing the map out on his desk. "Reveal your secret!" he said, touching the wand to the parchment. Nothing happened. Harry clenched his hands to stop them from shaking. "Show yourself!" Snape said, tapping the map sharply. It stayed blank. Harry was taking deep, calming breaths. "Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" Snape said, hitting the map with his wand. As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.

"Mooney presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business." Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first. "Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Mooney and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git." It would have been very funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. And there was more. "Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor." Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word. "Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball." Harry waited for the blow to fall.

"So…" said Snape softly. "We'll see about this…" He strode across to his fire, seized a fistful of glittering powder from a jar on the fireplace, and threw it into the flames. "Lupin!" Snape called into the fire. "I want a word!" Utterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire. A large shape had appeared in it, revolving very fast. Seconds later, Professor Lupin was clambering out of the fireplace, brushing ash off his shabby robes.

"You called, Severus?" said Lupin mildly. "I certainly did," said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk. "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this." Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs were still shining. An odd, closed expression appeared on Lupin's face. "Well?" said Snape. Lupin continued to stare at the map. Harry had the impression that Lupin was doing some very quick thinking. "Well?" said Snape again. "This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic. This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin. Where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?" Lupin looked up and, by the merest half-glance in Harry's direction, warned him not to interrupt.

"Full of Dark Magic?" he repeated mildly. "Do you really think so, Severus? It looks to me as though it is merely a piece of parchment that insults anybody who reads it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? I imagine Harry got it from a joke shop-"

"Indeed?" said Snape. His jaw had gone rigid with anger. "You think a joke shop could supply him with such a thing? You don't think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturers?"

Harry looked around the corners to make sure Snape wasn't nearby. He knew Snape was probably a vampire of some sorts and never slept. With all his headaches reoccurring it wouldn't be not a solution. Harry felt the cold floor and made his way to the Gryffindor Tower. He snuck in past the Large Lady and went to the Common Rooms. The fire was dimly lit and he made his way to his dorms. He creaked the door open and closed it behind himself. He slipped into bed and laid there. But he woke someone up.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Ron said softly.

"I-uh-erm, had to leave." He shrugged in the dark. He knew Ron couldn't see it but it was a natural thing for him to do.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Why are you lying. Snape told us what happened." Harry then remembered. He remembered being apparated to the dungeons and he remembers Snape of all people taking down his glamour. And then he remembered it all.

"He told you?" Harry felt his face go cold and pale.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, mate. I wished I had put the pieces together." Harry shrugged again wanting to just lay in the dark quietly. But it was nice seeing Ron was back to himself. After being so tense on the train and at dinner previously. Harry sat up, his shadow facing Ron.

"You okay? Do you want to talk about what has been going on?"

"Harry there is something I need to tell you-" Just then there was a slight knock on the door. Harry and Ron had only been talking for like ten minutes. An old witch with her hair done up in curlers and a green robe on was at the door. Her face tired and angry.

"Mr. Potter. What are you doing outside the Hospital Wing?"

"Sorry Professor I just-"

"You just nothing. Go back at once. Follow me." Harry sighed.

"Yes Professor." He walked to the door and looked back at Ron who looked worried and solemn.

"I'll tell you later, mate." He said and waved as the door closed behind them. Harry looked at the door.

"In your condition Mr. Potter, you are not allowed to leave. Do you understand?" She said harshly. Harry flinched back.

"Yes Professor." He said quickly.

"But...if you do want to go somewhere else- Professor Snape agreed to have a private room in his chambers."

"Snape?" Harry said loudly.

"Professor Snape," she corrected. "But yes, he agreed to take care of you while you heal." They walked the corridors. And down to the dungeons. Harry just followed blindly. Then Minerva knocked on the door and after waiting, Harry in his Underwear, freezing, he heard a rustle on the door. A tired, older but almost youngish professor who was tall and pale opened the door. His eyes, too tired and longing for sleep. Minerva pushed Harry gently towards the door. "He wandered out of the Hospital Wing. He decided he doesn't want to stay there for the next few hours. I figured he could stay here for the night." Harry heard a sigh and saw the man grab his temple with two fingers.

"Okay, fine. Come in, Potter." He said and Harry was hesitant. "Now, please." The man spoke harsher. Harry made his way into the Professor's chambers and saw another dim fireplace. The room was large and seemed cozy. The room was warm and softening. Soothing. "Sit down Potter. I think now that we are both up we should talk." Harry bit the inside of his lip. "Go on, then." He gestured to a chair that sat in front of the fireplace. He too followed the boy to sit across. The chair he sat in was cold and leather. Harry felt his chair was cold and felt cool. Like when you flip your pillow to the other side. That kind of comforting. Snape sat with his back straight and crossed one of his legs over. His arms resting on the arms of the chair. "We talked, Me, McGonagall, and Madam Pomphrey. I will be your Head of House and your guardian as of right now. I will bring this up with Dumbledore-"

"Dumbledore?" Harry spat. "The man who left me there?" Harry sounded angry. Snape sighed again.

"Don't interrupt me, Potter. I'm tired enough as it is. I know Headmaster Dumbledore didn't help the situation but now he will be forced to. We will put the residents of Private Drive to court in the Wizarding world since we all knew you were there. We just didn't know what was happening. As of right now, there is a room for you here, and a bed in the Slytherin House. I know you may object but they would not hurt you. They were all in your position. And I take care of all of them as my own." Harry was shocked. The Professor Snape? The one who hated Harry and all the Gryffindor's actually cares about students? Harry stared at him blankly. "Now you may speak, Mr. Potter."

"What is there to talk about?" He abruptly spoke.

"What is going on your mind? Why did you leave the Hospital Wing? Anything." Snape leaned back in his chair, uncrossed his legs and let them slightly open as they rested apart. Harry gulped.

"I wanted to leave because I'm tired of always being there."

"I see, but you need to understand we are trying to heal you." Snape looked at the boy with soft, black eyes. "Go look in the mirror over there by that mantel. Look at yourself and see what we healed." Harry saw a tall mantel enough for a tall man to see his whole body. He stood up, shaking. He walked over there he saw the faded bruises. The faded cuts and brandings, the healed wounds, The broken ribs weren't broken. They were healing but not broken anymore. He gasped.

"I can't..." He trailed off.

"Can't what?"

"If I go back like this, they will do worse. I'm like a blank canvas for them now. They will do all they can." Snape was silent for a few seconds.

"No, Harry." Did he just call me Harry? "You won't be going back there." Harry swung around. Tears starting to sting in his eyes.

"Dumbledore won't let you keep me." He fell silent. Does he really want Snape to keep him? No. He doesn't but he wants anyone to keep him. "He'll send me back. Reverse the injuries. I want them all." He heard himself say.

"No, Harry." Snape said soothingly. "This is not what you want or need. You're not going back." He said sternly yet, soothingly. Harry looked at the Potions- Defense Against Dark Arts Teacher and glared. I'm the Golden Boy. The Savior. Harry glared darkly and sneered at Snape who also grimaced at him. "What?" The boy said nothing. "Into mood swings are we now?" The words seemed to just spill out of the Professors mouth and Harry glared.

"Oh piss off." Harry let the white rage take over. Snape opened his eyes, wide awake now.

"What did you just say?" He sat up straight. "You are NOT to speak to me like that. Even if you are the abused boy."

"Aren't we testy." Harry stabbed back.

"POTTER!" Snape roared. He stood up and leaned over Harry.

"What are you trying to do, professor?" Harry shot back.

"You can't just take your anger out on everyone else just because you mutt-godfather died and I found out about your abuse. Now. Go. To. Bed." Snape demanded, moving out the way for Harry to get up. And he did. But oh so full of white-hot rage.

"Don't talk about Sirius."

"My, aren't we testy?" Snape sniggered, mocking him.

"Just say it, then." Harry made his hands into a fist.

"Say what?"

"Say you fucking hate him!"

"Harry-"

"No! Snape! Say it. Say you wanted him dead. Say-" Harry pulled out his wand. Snape swished his wand quicker and Harry's wand flew into his hand. "Why won't everyone say it? That I fucking killed him! It was all my fucking fault!" Harry broke out into a dry sob. "I killed Cedric. I killed everyone!" He yelled. "I'm a MURDERER!" He showed his wrist that had faint scars spelling out the word "murderer." He carved the word in. Deeply. "See, Professor? I'm nothing. I deserve all i get because I'm not a stupid savior. Call me the Golden Boy. But I'm not. Call me spoiled but I WISH! Fuck you!" He was breathing hard and started to feel the hot tears roll down his face. Snape was quiet. He bent down on one knee to see the boy crying and without a hesitant move, he pulled the boy into a hug. The boy didn't hug back so quickly. He flinched away but then leaned into the professor crying out to exhaustion.

Hey guys, I'm recovering this story to make it better. I will be making sure the timeline is matching with the sequence. I will also be using a lot from the books and movies to ensure the sequencing. I do NOT own anything from Harry potter. I give credit to J.K Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter universe! Leave reviews and inbox me with what you want to learn about or anything. Thanks.