Chapter 19 – Harry Look at Me

Albus and Severus let the two have a moment to themselves, during this time Severus threw dagger eyes at Albus who knew he would never hear the end of it, but the best he could do at the moment was cooperate and save his plans for next year once again.

"I assume you have discussed what needs to be discussed Gareth"

"Yes, Professor both Harry and my fiancé is very happy with the decision we are happy to do whatever it takes"

"First on the list is to go and get a confession from the Dursleys, this needs to be done whenever everyone is next free, I am going to have a discussion with Amelia Bones in the morning so we can get everything going, if the meeting goes to plan she will accompany us tomorrow afternoon to see the Dursleys of course we would discuss everything that will go on beforehand here."

"Harry you will need to go back for one last time you won't be alone, we all will be there to support you and I will not let you go if you don't want me to." said Gareth

"Oookkk-ay" replied Harry looking terrified.

"Oh, don't you worry Mr Potter, one move against anyone from the ministry of magic is a one way ticket to the wizard jail. Amelia Bones is very high up in the ministry, no one messes with her" replied Dumbledore. Severus hadn't said anything so far and looked seething, anger could be felt around the room and no one had ever seen Severus this angry. Finally he said something.

"Headmaster, I will attend your office at thirteen hundred hours after your meeting with Bones. I will then accompany you and Mr Potter to the house and do whatever it takes. However I am going to vacqte your office now before I curse you into oblivion!" Severus Snapped he then kneeled down to Harry and said "Harry look at me, I made a promise to your mum that I will protect you, I will make sure I live up to that you can be certain."

"Sev?" asked Harry through tears "Thank you"

"You are welcome" Severus Snape then left the office in a temper no one had ever seen before. Muttering to himself about a certain lemon drop loving headmaster. After he had left Dumbledore turned to the remaining people sat in his office.

"I am going to owl Amelia tonight and will let you know when our initial meeting is complete, Harry you had better go back to Gryffindor towers and catch up with your homework. You do not hhave to go to afternoon classes tomorrow because we will be seeing your relatives. Do either of you have anything to say." Harry shook his head but Gareth spoke up.

"Headmaster forgive me if I am speaking out of turn, but the initial meeting would be easier and more beneficial to Harry if he was in attendance. One more day of missed lessons isn't going to affect him too much especially after going through everything he will have to over the next couple of weeks. I can speak on Harrys behalf; I also think it would be beneficial for Mrs Bones to see the memory you did today."

"That seems appropriate"

"It also depends on Harry if he feels he is able to go back to Gryffindor tower tonight or whether he would be safer with me?"

"Until the guardianship is confirmed I can hardly see it appropriate for Mr Potter to stay in the room of requirement, he is not all over the place today and so I think he will be able to cope for the night. I also think you should take this opportunity to talk with your fiancé about the prospect of Harry coming to live with you." Dumbledore replied. Gareth sighed, the headmaster seemed to be blinded by something and it was something about Harry too.

"Understood headmaster, however, Harry is a strong young man and if he requires my presence during the night and is unable to get a hold of me I am holding you responsible, this is a serious issue headmaster, you need to start looking at this situation in a different light, how and why you did not check on Harry when he was at his relatives or see the signs last year I do not know, but you are very lucky I am under oath, otherwise the whole wizarding world will know that their saviour Harry Potter was put into an abusive situation by the greatest light wizard to exist. You are headmaster of a school of children you need to start acting like it, I have a lot of respect for you, don't make me lose it, do the right thing"

"The meeting with Mrs Bones will commence at 9.00 hours, Harry if you say the words 'sherbet lemon' you can come up straight after breakfast"

"Thank you Sir. Sorry for being such trouble.. If its any easier you can forget this all happens and I can go back to my relatives" replied Harry bravely, showing intense fear but put up a wall to make sure no one could see it but Gareth could. Gareth looked at the headmaster.

"No Harry, they do not care for you properly, you wont be going back there after tomorrow"

Gareth gave the headmaster a small smile before kneeling down to Harry and lifting his chin up just like Harry had done earlier, Harry resisted but eventually was able to look at him "Harry, look at me. This will all be over soon, go be with your friends and if they ask any questions you can either tell them the truth or it is okay to ask not to talk about it too. If you need me in the night ask one of the prefects to take you down to see Severus, he can contact me from there"

"Ok thank you Gareth and Professor Dumbledore for everything. I really appreciate it and if I can ever do anythign to make it up to you let me know" Harry turned to leave but was held back by Gareth but before the young man could speak Professor Dumbledore interrupted.

"You shouldn't be thanking me Harry, its my fault you were left there, I honestly thought they would raise you as their own, I was wrong and I apologise sincerely"

Harry nodded, a tear escaped his eye, he stood up to face Dumbledore sitting at his desk looked the headmaster in the eye before saying "I forgive you" before giving Gareth a hug and leaving for Gryffindor tower. Both men left in the office watched as Harry left, both smiling. Harry was such a loving soul just like his mother and strong like his father.

Meanwhile in Gryffindor tower, Harry had just said the password to the fat lady and as it opened, he was engulfed by a lot of bushy hair. "Oh Harry! There you are! We have been so worried! What has happened?" asked Hermione leading him over to where her and Ron were sitting.

"Just a few things I have to sort out with Dumbledore, about wards and stuff and Gareth is there to help. We have to go to a visit tomorrow, nothing will be clear and it's all confusing at the moment, is it okay if we just play exploding snap or something?"

"Yeah Harry I'll go get my deck! Oh, I'll get Fred, George and Ginny to play too!" exclaimed Ron running up to the dormitory.

Hermione huffed but then turned to Harry and said gently "Just so you know, when you are ready to tell us we will be here to listen and support. We aren't going anywhere fast Harry and it looks like you are stuck with us for at least the next 6 years" Both Gryffindor's laughed

"Thanks Hermione" Harry smiled as the Weasleys crowded around the table, the cards were dealt and the six of them played later into the night. Harry hadn't had this much fun in ages and was disappointed when Percy came over and took the cards. Everyone said goodnight and Harry drifted into what he thought would be a peaceful sleep.

BOY! **Whip*, *Thump*, *Kick** YOU ARE USELESS, WORTHLESS, STUPID, YOU SHOULD GO KILL YOURSELF, NO ONE LIKES YOU, FREAK, GO AND BE FREAKY IN HELL!

Harry awoke panicking, he didn't know what to do, he reached for his blade and cut 3, 4 and 5 times, he then wrapped a bandage around his left arm before makings sure he didn't wake anyone else up. He was lucky everyone else was asleep. He thought about going to Sev but no he couldn't wake his potions professor. He could cope for the rest of the night. He didn't want to sleep and so he stayed up and caught up on all the things he had missed. He was just finishing his transfiguration essay when tiredness overcame him, and he fell asleep.