Harry bit down as he tried to hold back the sobs. He prayed that his uncle wouldn't come back but he knew better as he tried to turn over onto his side. His naked body was littered with cuts, bruises and lashings. He cringed as he felt what was either blood or semen or possibly both run down his thigh and onto the bare mattress.
He hated coming back here but he had nowhere else to go. He closed his eyes as he heard the voices of joyous Christmas carollers get steadily closer.
Ironic…
He tried to force his mind elsewhere… His body was stuck here but his mind didn't have to be… He allowed thoughts of Ron and Hermione in, thoughts of the previous year in, Quidditch, Hedwig and Hagrid. A smile began to faintly appear on the boy's lips, not that anyone was there to see it but that didn't matter.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway grew louder, thrusting Harry back into his current reality. Instant panic gripped at Harry's heart. His breaths grew shallower as the footsteps ceased in front of the boy's door. The sound of the key being inserted into the lock pierced the Harry's ears and his heart.
The door clicked open.
No…
Here we go again…
Harry pushed his head into his arms as his body braced for another assault.
"My dear Severus, I might ask a favour of you" Dumbledore looked at the man standing in front of his desk.
"Might you go and check on Harry for me"
"Why is it you want me to do it?" Snape questioned the wizard's motives, unsure why Dumbledore couldn't go himself
"I would go myself but I have important business with the ministry that simply can't wait."
The older wizard refused to take his eyes off Snape
"Please Severus, I have… Shall we say… A feeling he might be in a bit of a pinch"
"Why" the words slipped slowly out of Snape's mouth
Dumbledore stood from his chair and turned to face Fawkes
"I'm not sure what you'll find Severus… But do be careful"
Snape didn't feel like he had a say in this but knew when he'd been dismissed.
Harry sunk his teeth into his arm, a futile attempt to divert his attention from other sources of pain…
"Now boy" Vernon held the whip in his hand before tearing it against Harry's torn flesh. "I have been kind enough to give you the food that falls off our table and Dudley's second bedroom"
Harry saw the whip land in the corner of the room as the large man climbed on to the bed before straddling the wizard. Harry cringed as he felt a hardness poking at his opening
"And what have you given me back?"
"Argh!" Harry tried not to scream but failed miserably as he felt Vernon force his way inside his body
"Nothing" he hissed viciously before pushing his way in and out of the wizard. The sharp pain subsided to a dull ache as tears slid from Harry's eyes. He refused to let his uncle see how much he was hurting him.
"What would your freaky little friends think if they saw now aye?" Vernon pulled out, only to flip Harry over and force his way back inside. He reached forward before grasping his fat fingers around Harry's neck, cutting of the boy's air supply. Harry instinctively raised his hands up to his Uncles, trying to pry them free as his desperate lungs cried out for oxygen.
Harry bit down as he felt the man continue to pound inside of him, half of the wizard prayed someone would save him, the other half wished his uncle would just finish him.
"They wouldn't want to be friends with you, they would be disgusted by you" he continued tightening his grip as Harry felt his arse fill with the man's seed.
Who was he kidding… Who would come to save him…
Harry's vision began to dim and his surroundings started fading from view
This is it…
Half of him was terrified
The other relieved as he began to accept his fate at the hands of this awful man
"You will join your freaky parent's soon boy!"
A bolt of light flashed across the room before the grip around his throat loosened and the weight on top of him was pulled off.
Harry fell off the bed onto the floor, coughing and gasping desperately for air as it began to slowly fill his lungs
Harry blinked repeatedly, trying to figure out what just happened and if it's what he thought it was, was it actually for real or just another hopeless fantasy.
The boy's vision slowly coming into focus as he looked up, expecting to see Hagrid or Hermione or Ron or even Dumbledore…
His eyes met with Severus Snape…
He wasn't prepared for this… But he just saved him… Why…
Snape looked shocked to say the least, unable to summon words as he looked down at Harry's body strewn naked on the floor before offering him his hand.
"Th-thank you" Harry grasped the hand
An instant later they were back at Hogwarts, the room was unfamiliar to Harry as he took in the decor
"Wh-where exactly are we?"
"My quarters" Snape replied bluntly, not taking his eyes off the cuts and bruises plastered over the boy's body.
Harry suddenly remembered he had nothing on as he instinctively tried to cover himself. An instant later he felt a blanket around him.
"Nothing I haven't seen before Potter" he glanced at him once more "don't feel ashamed" the words leaving his lips were slow and precise
"Th-thanks" he whispered, his throat was hoarse
"Dumbledore is away on important business and Madame Pomfrey is away for Christmas so I guess it's up to me" Snape stated slowly before turning toward the myriad of potion bottles littering the bench nearby.
"Why…" Harry began before his voice choked back, feeling unable to ask the rest of the question but wanting desperately it's answer
"Dumbledore sent me" Snape replied, already knowing what the boy was going to ask as he fossicked through the jars.
"He had a feeling you were in a bit of a predicament…" the professor stopped to look at him "and he was right"
Snape stepped towards the younger wizard
"Drink this, it will help with the pain" the professor's gaze was met by the boy's
Harry tried to figure out what it was he was seeing in Snapes eyes… Was it… A hint of sorrow?
"I'm sorry you had to experience that Potter" his voice sounding surprisingly empathetic
"And don't worry, you will not be going back there, you get to spend Christmas with me instead"
"Aren't you lucky" A faint smile hinted on the professor's lips
"Come, this way" Snape stated plainly to Harry before heading towards another room.
"What for?" Harry's voice hardly escaping his throat as he watched the professor halt.
"Might I suggest a bath" Snape's head turned slightly to meet the boy's eyes.
"Right" Harry nodded, realizing that was of course the next logical step.
He climbed to his feet before stepping toward the professor, only to feel his legs give way under him. The boy cringed as he felt his body slam against the cold stone floor.
He didn't want to get up… This was too humiliating…
He felt warm arms wrap around his bare skin, before feeling his body being pulled upwards. Harry winced as he felt more cum ooze from his arse, making its way down his thigh.
"I've got you Potter" Snape murmured as the realisation that he was probably going to have to bathe this boy dawned on him.
"It's not far through here" the professor led Harry into a surprisingly large room, a bath that rivalled the prefect's bathroom met his gaze
Harry felt himself subconsciously leaning into Snape, feeling abnormally safe in his presence, which surprised him. He never thought in a thousand years that this would happen.
Harry carefully stepped into the warm water, the professor's strong arms refusing to leave him as he aided the boy into the water.
The warmth felt amazing against his flesh as his body descended into the bath. He felt Snape pass some items to him, soap, lufer sponge, shampoo before accepting them graciously.
Harry closed his eyes, loosing himself in the warm water as all his worries began to evade his mind.
"I'll be in the next room should you need anything" Snape advised before disappearing, his footsteps fading into the distance as he left the room.
Harry nodded to himself before closing his eyes. He still wasn't sure if any of this had actually happened… Afraid to get too comfortable for fear of waking up.
The raven haired boy picked up the lufer sponge before grinding the soap against it. He began to rub the sponge into his skin, wincing as the soap suds seeped into his torn flesh. Harry wanted nothing more than to be rid of the scourge his uncle had imprinted on his body… his mind… his soul…
He knew his body would heal but as for the other two… Who knows…
The boy persevered, trying his best to ignore the stinging before pushing the sponge to the side. He was starting to feel better as Snape re-entered the bathroom, holding a stack of clothing.
"These are for you to wear" he stated before leaving the items on a nearby cabinet. "You will also require this" the professor held up a towel, gently placing it next to Harry on the ledge of the bath.
"Thank you" Harry murmured, suddenly feeling like he was a nuisance.
Why was Snape being so nice to him?
He thought Snape hated him…
He must just feel sorry for him…
Harry sighed as he began to wash his hair, trying to keep his thoughts in the present as he poured a glob of shampoo into the palm of his hand. He closed his eyes before rubbing it into his hair, wondering what Snape was up to as he heard footsteps fading in the distance.
Harry rinsed his hair out, his eyes falling onto a scar marring his thigh. He tried to resist but his thoughts were drawn back to when it got torn onto his flesh forever.
"Now boy, if you don't do as I say, I will hurt you. Do you understand?" Vernon threatened, a knife in his hand as he held it to the boy's penis.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon" Harry whispered meekly, trying not to let his fear show through his voice.
"Good. Because you know what will happen to you if you don't now, don't you?" The man taunted, moving the knife around slowly until it rested on his thigh.
Harry nodded, a stinging sensation developing on his thigh as the blade drew into it.
"Now bend over" the man ordered.
Harry complied, crawling onto his hands and knees in front of his uncle.
"Now spread your legs boy!" he demanded before ramming his cock into the opening before him.
Harry cried out as he felt his body tearing, blood trailing down his thigh with every thrust.
Harry closed his eyes, just praying for this to end.
Vernon was still holding the knife to the boy's thigh, slicing it every time he drove into the boy's body.
He felt the man ejaculate inside him before pulling out, standing up and walking towards the door.
Harry watched him as his picked the boy's shirt up off the floor, before using it to wipe the blood off his dick.
A sharp knock tore Harry's thoughts back to the present, he gasped, feeling like he'd just been in another world.
"Lucius" he heard Snape mutter from afar. "What are you doing here?" the professor continued, not moving away from the door.
"I wished to speak to you about a private matter Severus" the blonde haired man began before pushing his way past the professor and into his chambers.
"Now isn't the best time" Snape enunciated as he watched Lucius look around the room, his eyes dancing with criticism and condescension.
"What? You haven't got time for your only friend Severus" the man smirked before looking down on a chair, pulling a face before ultimately deciding not to sit down on it.
"Draco doesn't like certain boy in his year, and I think you know who I'm talking about Severus" Lucius began.
"If that is all you've come to tell me-" Snape began before being cut off.
"You see Severus, it's in your best interests to do as I am about to say"
"Is that a threat Mr Malfoy?" Snape stated, accentuating his drawl.
"That's up to you" Lucius smiled, slightly menacingly.
Harry heard footsteps approach the bathroom, followed by a secondary set. He instinctively sunk down in the bath before seeing Snape in the door way, reaching for the door before closing it.
Harry could hear their muffled voices but couldn't decipher the words…
Harry squinted as he diverted all his energy to concentrating on the words being spoken beyond the door. He knew they were talking about him but it seemed Lucius was up to his old tricks, no surprises there but Snape… He didn't seem to want a bar of it…
Maybe it was just because Harry was there? But then…
He was seeing a different side to Snape, perhaps he had judged the man too prematurely, not to mention harshly. Or perhaps Snape viewed him differently after finding him in this condition, perhaps it altered his perception and preconceived ideas about him. He knew the potions professor despised his father and most likely presumed he would be the same as him, they were after all related. But in the end, everyone has different experiences in their lives that mould who they are and influence their personalities he guessed.
"Your threats mean nothing to me Malfoy" Snape bit back, his tone increasing, along with his frustration.
"That's unfortunate for you Severus, then again, you don't exactly have a lot, do you?" Lucius let out a chuckle, not making any effort to hide the malice behind it as he glanced around the room.
Snape bit down, refusing to let the man know just how much he was getting to him.
"Then again…" Lucius began before leaning in closer to the dark-haired wizard.
"I could give you so much more" he whispered, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips as he gazed into the man's eyes.
The potions professor squinted, he was sure Lucius was alluding to something more than just material goods.
"I have all I need" Snape muttered before turning away from the man.
He wished the blonde-haired wizard would just go. He needed to make sure Harry was alright, he didn't need this man trying to coax him into some ridiculous scheme of his that he knew would benefit only him.
"Now now Severus, you don't mean that" Lucius chuckled before sliding a hand around the potion's professor's waist.
Snape's eyes widened in disbelief at the audacity of the man's actions.
"Just what are you doing?" he accused the older wizard as he swiftly pulled away from him.
"It's just like old times" Lucius chuckled, trying to justify his actions as he again stepped towards the dark-haired wizard.
"The 'old times' are simply in your head" Snape spat out, not bothering to control his frustration as he stepped toward Lucius, the anger raging in his eyes.
"Your very worked up for someone who 'has everything he needs'" a smug smile plastered across his lips as he approached the man before sliding a hand under Snape's chin, drawing his face upwards to meet his glare.
"You must leave at once" Snape stated plainly as he slapped the man's hand from his chin.
"I will leave when I decide to go" Lucius bit back as he headed toward the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Snape barked at the man as he grew dangerously close to the door concealing Harry.
"Why using your bathroom of course" an almost knowing smile dancing on his lips as he reached out to turn the lock.
XOXOXOXOX
Harry began to panic as his eyes darted around the room, searching desperately for an exit.
None.
He felt his heart pound as he figured the only way was to conceal himself was to hide under the water.
He had to do it…
There was simply no other option.
The turning of the knob prompted the boy to slide under the surface, praying the man wouldn't take long.
"Get out of there!" Snape yelled at the man as panic filled his heart. He dreaded to think what would happen if Lucius found Harry, the number one enemy of the dark lord, in his chambers.
"Why? Must you be so inhumane Severus". Lucius chuckled as he stepped into the bathroom, swiftly closing the door behind him.
Harry closed his eyes, its not like he could see much above the water anyway, plus it might help him hold his breath a bit longer.
Lucius certainly took his time as Harry listened carefully to every noise, trying to figure out exactly what the man was doing.
He had to know.
He had to figure out if he could hold his breath long enough.
Harry cringed as he heard what he was sure was a door slamming open before Snape's voice filled the room, very loud, very clear.
"Just what are you doing?" Snape sneered at the man.
"What do you think?" the blonde-haired wizard stated innocently, as a smile that said otherwise grew on his lips.
"It doesn't take that long Lucius, what is this really about?" Snape bit at the older wizard before glancing at the bath, relief washed over him as he realised Harry was hiding under the surface.
He had to get Lucius out of there if Harry stood any chance.
"Well?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the blonde wizard before him as he waited expectantly for an answer.
Lucius's smug smile stained his lips as he store down the man before him, refusing to open his mouth.
Silence filled the room in the seconds that followed as Snape awaited an answer.
This was taking too long.
"Come with me" Snape commanded before turning for the door.
"You see, I'd much rather stay here" Lucius stated, showing the potions professor that he had no intention to move.
Snape wondered… Why was he so adamant to stay in the bathroom… Did he know Harry was in there? Perhaps has he hoping catch him out on something else? But what?
"I must insist Lucius" his usual drawl slipping from his lips as he refused to break eye contact with the man.
"Why" the blonde-haired wizard stepped toward Snape, his eyes narrowing on the man in the process.
That's it. He definitely knew something was amiss…
This simply wasn't working.
The potions professor eyed up the edge of the bath in front of Harry before choosing to sit there.
He had to be discreet if he had any chance of pulling this off…
"Who socialises in the bathroom for hours?" Snape stated plainly as he made a subtle attempt to withdraw his wand from his cloak.
"We've hardly been here hours" Lucius took pride in correcting the younger wizard as he continued to stare down at him.
Subtlety was the key to success as Snape aimed his wand at what he prayed was Harry before mumbling a spell he'd only used a handful of times.
"What was that?" Lucius asked, raising his eyebrows before leaning in towards the professor.
XOXOXO
Harry was close to giving up as the last of the oxygen vacated his lungs.
He couldn't give up.
For whatever reason, Snape didn't want his presence in the man's chambers known to Draco's father. Then again, the more he thought about it, the more he realised why.
He had to hold on. He simply had to.
Harry's eyes widened as a small ripple formed on the surface of the water.
What was that?
The young wizard peered closer before watching as a small bolt of light slipped through the ripples before aiming straight for him.
His eyes widened as the light loomed towards him.
Should he try to get away from it? Who was he kidding, it was far too late for that.
Harry closed his eyes and bit down as he braced for the contact.
XOXOXOX
Snape cringed, not listening to a word slipping from Lucius's mouth as he hoped with all his heart that the spell had reached Harry and had begun to take effect.
He listened carefully for any movement on the water, anything to confirm if he still had cause to worry.
"I don't know what's with you today" Lucius began, still boring holes into the professor's eyes as he refused to look away.
"You are usually more…" the blonde wizard began before glancing around the room, as if trying to conjure the correct word.
"Co-operative, shall we say"
Snape ignored the man before him, maybe if he did it long enough the man would get bored and go.
…
XOXOXOX
Harry felt the struggle leaving him, he figured this must be it, this must be his body giving in to the water around him.
He opened his eyes, if for no other reason than to view this underwater world one last time.
Wait…
Curiosity got the best of Harry as he realised something…
This isn't what drowning felt like…
Why was he still so alert but the struggle for oxygen was no longer upon him?
The young wizard cringed as suppressed memories began to surface. Memories he would much rather forget…
This wasn't the first time he had been this close to drowning. He tried to calm his nerves as memories of his uncle holding his head under the bath water forced their way into his mind.
No. No No.
Harry tried his best to ignore the memories but it was no use. He wished he could just forget everything, wipe his horrendous childhood from his brain and never look back.
But he simply couldn't.
He had to focus on the present and figure out what was going on with his body. How was he still alive and breathing normally under water?
Harry glanced down at his body, his eyes widened before his mouth dropped open.
Was that a…
Tail?
Does that mean he's now a…?
Mermaid?
It must have been Snape…
That flash of light…
It simply must have been him.
But why did he care so much about saving him?
At least enough to risk being caught by Draco's father?
It was a big risk, he wasn't going to deny that.
But perhaps he was just ultimately protecting himself?
But it didn't seem like that…
Snape was more… Genuine than that… More sincere in his actions…
Either way, this was now the second time in a matter of hours that he had saved his young life and he silently thanked the man for it.
XOXOXOX
Oh, how Snape desperately wanted to turn around and check the boy was okay.
Why was he suddenly so concerned about him? He used to despise him, or rather his father.
Perhaps he felt sorry for him…
But…
It seemed more than that…
It was like he could relate to him, empathize with him, be almost one with him.
How he had misjudged the young wizard.
Perhaps he had more in common with him than he ever could have thought.