Harry's fifth year's welcoming feast was commencing and as he sat next to his friends he couldn't even look up from his lap to notice his potion teacher scrutinizing his every move. When Harry returned to his dorms he was surprised to see a note on his pillow.

Potter,
Meet me in the dungeons at 8pm.

Wondering what he'd managed to do in such a small amount of time, Harry sighed helplessly and started the long trek to the dungeons. He arrived five minutes early, but couldn't find it in himself to care as he knocked on the familiar door.

"Enter, Mr. Potter," came the snide voice from within.

"Professor Snape," Harry greeted as he entered the potions classroom closing the door behind him.

"Come have a seat, Mr. Potter," Snape instructed. The boy did as he was told with an apathetic look on his face, but didn't say anything. "I suppose you're wondering why I called you here, Potter," Snape offered.

"I assumed I'd messed something up already, sir," Harry offered.

"Hmm, interesting. Fortunately for all of us, you haven't managed to destroy anything quite yet. I was observing you at the feast and noticed you didn't eat very much," Snape offered.

"Oh, sorry, sir, I just wasn't very hungry," Harry mumbled.

"One slice of ham and some green beans. You know what intrigued me about your choice, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked.

"I'm not quite what sure what you mean, sir," Harry replied.

"Well, that is the dinner portion of your first meal plan after Black took you in after the abuse you suffered," Severus supplied watching the boy's reactions carefully.

"Oh," was all Severus got out of the boy who lived.

"Harry, have you been continuing to work with your mind healer since Black's death?" Severus asked.

"No, sir," Harry answered.

"Why not?" Severus asked.

"I couldn't afford it."

"I think it would be beneficial for you to recontinue. If you are agreeable, I will set it up. You needn't worry about the cost."

"Thank you, sir."

"I will let you know when you're first appointment will be and where and you will handle all the details other than billing after that meeting. Have you been losing weight, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why?"

"Didn't have much food."

"Who have you been staying with since Black's death?"

"The Dursleys."

"Those incompetent humans who abused you for almost twelve years of your life?"

"Yes, sir."

"Unacceptable. I will speak with Headmaster Dumbledore and set up other arrangements. I will consult you with your options before this summer. Are there any injuries you need healed?"

"I have another concussion and my left forearm is probably broken," Harry answered.

"May I run a diagnostic spell?" Snape asked. The only response he got was an almost imperceptible nod. Once the spell was run, Snape felt like shaking the child trying to down play his pain.

Current injuries: Concussion; Broken left radius and ulna; Broken left femur; Sprained left ankle; Torn left rotator cuff; Multiple lacerations left wrist; Malnutrition; Bulimia; Depression; Anxiety; Sleep deprivation; Self harm

"Alright Harry, will you please roll up your sleeve so I can heal your cuts?" Severus asked. The boy complied and quickly the several, shallow cuts were healed. "Alright, Harry, I'm going to put your left arm in a sling and swathe to remind you not to use it. A high dose of skelegrow over the next week should have your broken arm and rotator cuff repaired soon. I'll magic a cast around your left leg which will keep your femur in the proper place and your ankle protected so that you can walk around normally. No quidditch until I give you the all clear. I'd like you to meet with me once a week so that I can check your progress. Does everything I've said make sense so far, Potter?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered.

"Your display at dinner shows me you remember the meal plan Sirius and I had in place for you originally. Am I correct in my assumption, Potter?" Severus asked. When Harry nodded, Severus continued. "Perfect, then continue with that and we'll reassess at our meetings weekly. Is that okay?" Severus asked. Again, Harry nodded. "I trust you'll be cautious with your head for the next three months while your concussion heals?" Harry nodded for the third time in a row. "Here's a pain potion, Potter. You may come to me when you need one, but remember you may not have more than three a day. Do you find yourself in need of dreamless sleep?" Severus inquired.

"Yes, sir," Harry answered.

"Potter, what I'm about to suggest you have every right to say no to; however, I'd like to offer you a room in my quarters. If you were to accept I would be able to monitor your nightmares and administer dreamless sleep as necessary. It would also help with the monitoring of your other wounds. If you should choose to decline, which is acceptable, you have two options, either go without dreamless sleep or I can explain the situation to Ms. Granger or Professor McGonagall and have either of them in charge of the dreamless sleep administration," Severus offered.

"You'd be willing to allow me to stay in your chambers, Professor," Harry asked sheepishly.

"If that is agreeable to you, I will have a room added to my quarters for you. Rest assured, although I will encourage you not to self harm, offer my ear for when you feel the urge to self harm, and insist on my medical treatment for any self harm you may cause, I will not pressure you or force you into anything. I will also never harm you. You would be quite safe if staying in my quarters is the most agreeable option to you."

"Thank you, sir. I-I think I'd like that," Harry offered.

"Good, there will be a few rooms off limits and you are forbidden from using any spells outside of your studies, except in extreme cases where self defense is required. Is that still agreeable, Potter?" Severus asked.

"Ummm, I normally cast a silencing spell around my bed so that I don't disturb anyone, Professor. Would that still be okay?" Harry asked nervously.

"Potter, the purpose of you sharing my quarters is so that I might monitor your sleep and administer potions more appropriately. Having your nightmares silenced would only interfere with that. So no, silencing spells will not be permitted. Not to mention, that presents a grave security problem. How should anyone be able to protect you if they can't hear you call out for help in the case of an imminent emergency, Potter?"

"Of course, Professor, I can see how that was a...silly thing to suggest. Thank you for all your help, professor," Harry answered.

"You're welcome, Potter. Now, you'll have to return to your dorms for tonight. I'll speak with Headmaster Dumbledore this evening and let you know as things develop. Dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," Harry mumbled again as he left the dungeons feeling even more confused than before he'd arrived.

The next day, when Harry arrived in the potions classroom, Severus showed the boy into his quarters.

"Potter, are there any wounds I should heal?" Severus asked casually.

"No, sir, but may I show you something?" Harry asked.

"If you wish," Severus replied. Harry passed over a crumpled piece of paper. Severus read it over. "You thought they would kill you this summer?" Severus asked trying to keep his shock from showing.

"Yeah, I wrote it the night Headmaster Dumbledore told me I'd be returning to the Dursley's. There wasn't even a small part of me that thought I'd be here this year," Harry replied.

"May I ask how the headmaster responded to your reservations?"

"He told me it was the safest option. Promised he was trying to make other arrangements. Cut me off at one point and told me it was the end of the conversation," Harry replied.

"It was very wrong of him to do that, Potter. Rest assured I will speak with him. It was unacceptable for him to put you back into a known hostile situation and completely disregard your concerns. George Wiley has expressed a desire to meet with you tomorrow after classes. Where would you like to meet him?" Severus asked.

"Could we-well-do you think...would it be okay for him to come here?" Harry asked nervously.

"I will relay your message, Potter. Report here after your classes. You may utilize my private office. There is a sofa in there as well as a desk and some extra chairs. I shall escort Healer Wiley here, show you to my office, and then I'll be in the lab for two hours before returning to check in on you. Does this sound agreeable, Potter?" Severus offered.

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," Harry nodded.

"Good, now allow me to show you around," Severus said. He showed the boy what would be his room, Severus' room stating Harry could enter but only after knocking or in case of emergency. He then showed the boy to his private office, stating the boy could use it for his meetings with Healer Wiley, and that he could also use any books from his private library, but other than that was only to enter if Severus gave him express permission. Severus showed the boy the bathroom, his private lab which was totally off limits and under no circumstances was Harry ever to enter, and his personal kitchen where Harry was allowed to retrieve food or drink whenever he so desired. "My only rule beyond what we discussed about your situation is that you respect me and my property. Is that understood?" Severus asked as the tour concluded.

"Yes, sir,"

"Good, now I presume you have homework to do before dinner if there is nothing else? Do you need a pain potion?" Severus asked.

"I don't need a pain potion, but thank you, Professor. And yes, I would like to get started on my homework," Harry answered.

"Very well, you may carry on as normal. Seek me out if you require anything," Severus instructed.

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," Harry answered and retreated to his room with his book bag in hand.