That Saturday, about an hour after Harry had left for him meeting with Healer Wiley, Severus's flew was activated. Severus was surprised to find George fire calling him.
"George," Severus greeted.
"Severus, I'd like you to consider something," George stated calmly.
"Go ahead," Severus answered.
"Harry is currently inconsolable as he believes himself to be weak. He's mentioned several times that no wizards are beat by muggles. He considers himself unworthy of being a wizard, possibly unworthy of being alive though he hasn't admitted such in so many words, because he was abused. I believe it would be beneficial if you would be willing to share your story, however, it is not my place to tell your story or put you into a position where you are forced to relieve something too painful," George explained.
Severus remained silent for a long time while he considered the matter before answering, "Step back, I'll come through immediately."
George visibly relaxed in relief as he stepped back. Severus stepped through the floo into a quaint cabin living room. The wooden floors were worn and stained beautifully and covered with a fluffy rug. The fireplace was surrounded with tactfully placed bricks and the mantle had pictures of George with his family. There was a leather arm seat next to a large glass window which looked out onto a luscious green hill with small white flowers leading to a peaceful ocean glistening under the morning sun. On the leather couch sitting almost perpendicular to the arm chair sat a distraught Harry curled in on himself, body shaking with unheard sobs. Severus slowly made his way to the child and knelt in front of him taking his shaking hairs from where they pulled at his hair and wrapped them in his own much larger ones.
"Potter, look at me please," Severus instructed in a voice that was softer than normal but still left no room for debate. The red, tear filled green eyes met the potion master's gaze. "Healer Wiley tells me you believe yourself weak because you have endured abuse. Is that how you are feeling?" Severus asked.
Harry's tears came in greater quantity as he sobbed, "I'm a wizard. How could I allow them to beat me? I'm such a weak freak!"
Severus asked clearly, "Harry, am I weak or a freak?"
Harry looked horrified as he answered, "Of course not, professor!"
"I'm not sure if you are aware, but I've known George since long before I referred you to him. He was actually my mind healer, which is why I trusted him enough to work with you," Severus confided a bit shakily as his nerves built at the thought of revealing his past to this sobbing child.
"Y-you needed a mind healer b-because of what my d-dad did to you?" Harry stuttered in confusion as he wiped his snot on his sleeve.
Severus smiled compassionately as he accioed a handkerchief and passed it to the child. "No, Harry, I needed a mind healer because I was abused by my muggle father," Severus answered carefully.
Harry looked between Severus and George stunned by the news. "Y-your father hurt you?" the boy asked.
"Yes, Harry. He beat me, with his hands, belts, even through a beer bottle at me a few times. Put cigarrettes out on me. Verbally abused me. I met George when I was in my third year of Hogwarts. He actually ended up pressing charges against my father and assuming guardianship over me. Three years later, he adopted me. George is my dad, and I owe him my life in more ways than one. So you see, Harry, you are not the only one who was abused. You are not the only wizard whose been abused. You are not even the only wizard to be abused by a muggle. That does not make you weak. That does not make you a freak. That makes you someone who was wronged horrifically and need healing and help and stability. You are in no way responsible for the crimes that have been committed against you. Just as I am not weak, or a freak, or responsible for my biological father abusing me. You are strong. You survived, and you are committed to working with George to heal from your trauma, and you are not going to be doing this alone. You are going to be okay, Harry. Don't put responsibility on yourself that is not yours to bear."
"I-I'm not weak?" Harry whimpered.
"You are not weak."
"I-it's not my fault?"
"It is not your fault, child."
"I-I'm not alone?"
"You are not alone. You will never be alone."
At that moment, George returned from where he had been making tea in the kitchen and gave a cup to both Harry and Severus. "How are you feeling, Harry?" George asked as he helped Severus up from where he was crouched before he and his son sat on either side of the trembling child.
"I-I don't know how to explain it. I-I feel like my lungs are bigger I guess? I-I feel protected? I guess I feel a little angry too though. How could they hurt us? They're suppose to be adults! How dare they hurt us? I-is that normal?" Harry asked quietly.
"Yes, Harry. That's very normal. You've been wronged and suffered terrible consequences because of someone's evilness, which is why you feel a righteous anger, but you need to be careful to not dwell on that anger too much. It is okay and good to know that what was done to you was wrong and evil, but to dwell on it only allows it to continue ruling your life. Recognize that it happened, was wrong, and was painful, and then work on dealing with the pain, working through the implications, and healing so that you can move on and live your life in the way you want to. You feel protected and find it easier to believe because for so long you've been feeling alone in what you've suffered. Knowing that others have suffered in ways similar to you, provides you reassurance that you are not alone which can be incredibly healing," George answered gently. Then he looked to his son, "How are you feeling, Severus?"
Severus looked stunned for a moment before sighing deeply making the decision to be honest. "I feel...broken, I guess?" Severus answered.
"Can you elaborate?" George prompted.
"I guess dredging up the past makes me feel all the hurting emotions I'm worried I'll never be able to move past the pain I suffered," Severus answered.
"Hmm...I want to ask how you would respond to Harry if he brought up the same concern years from now?" George asked.
"Experiencing pain at the hurt you've endured, years later, does not mean you haven't moved on. It doesn't mean your past still controls you just because you still feel pain when revisiting the time. I rarely think about my abuse any longer. I no longer make decisions because of the pain I've endured. It no longer controls me like it did when I joined the Dark lord. So the fact that I still feel pain as I talk about it and revisit it just means that it is a part of my past that affected me and that doesn't go away just because I have worked through it and healed," Severus tried to explain.
"You are correct, you're past doesn't go away, it will always be a part of you, and it's okay to still feel pain or sadness or whatever. But wounds heal and scars fade, so as time goes on that pain, those memories will become less strong and less intense as you heal and move on. Does that make sense?" George asked trying to condense more clearly what Severus had expressed. Both Harry and Severus nodded. "So, Severus, how are you feeling about it now?" George asked.
"I feel...hopeful?" Severus answered.
George smiled at his son and then looked to Harry before asking, "And Harry, how are you feeling?"
"Similarly to Professor Snape, I think. I feel kinda excited, like I do before a quidditch match," Harry answered. Both Severus and George smiled at that admission.
"I'm glad, Harry. I also am excited to watch you heal and grow. And thank you, Severus for coming over and being willing to share your story," George said sincerely.
"Thank you, professor," Harry added as his professor stood.
"You are very welcome, Harry. I will see you this afternoon," Severus replied as he made his way to the floo.
"Severus, what would you think about joining Harry and I back here in about 3 hours. We can have lunch together and maybe go swimming in the ocean," George suggested.
"Is that something you'd like to do, Harry?" Severus asked.
"I-If you're okay with it, Professor?" Harry answered.
"No, Harry, remember you do not have to worry about me. That's my job. All you have to do is tell me whether or not it's something that you would enjoy, please," Severus clarified.
Harry blushed slightly before answering, "I would enjoy it very much, sir."
"I shall see you both in three hours," Severus replied with a soft smile and then flooed back to Hogwarts to continue his work.