Harry trailed despondently behind Snape. He really was in trouble now. But
then again the damned man always seemed to be able to find him. No matter
where he ran, no matter how hard he tried to escape, that damned professor
would be there.
"Come on, I don't have all day" snapped Snape, swirling down the corridor. In truth, he did. He knew that seeing any other teacher would be disastrous for Harry, and so had got permission from the headmaster to have harry stay with him for a while. If Dumbledore had been surprised, he didn't show it; Minerva, on the other hand, had been livid.
"Stay with Severus?" she had shrilled indignantly, "He would be far safer in his own House. We Gryffindors look after each other." To which Snape had icily replied,
"Yes, he found your tender care so acceptable he felt like throwing himself out of the Astronomy Tower"
Dumbledore looked sternly at Snape, but said nothing. McGonagall didn't seem to be able to think of a smart comeback, and just sneered. She should take lessons, reflected Snape. That was a pathetic excuse for a sneer.
However he had volunteered to search for the boy, and had asked Dumbledore to cancel his lessons for the day.
The problem, he thought, sweeping down the corridor and sending such a spiteful glare at a 4th year Ravenclaw that she actually screamed,was that he didn't know how to get through to Harry. The boy seemed to have hidden himself behind the Harry Potter persona - and he had done it well. Snape could tell a lie from a mile off, but it had taken him so long to see the truth behind Potter. Now he felt guilty about it, though he had no idea why.
Suddenly he realised that behind him was silent. Too silent. The sound of footsteps, however light, had gone. Cursing himself for losing the boy, Snape turned around and retraced his footsteps to the nearest juncture. He was just about to take a guess at which way to turn when he saw a faint shape on the floor, slumped painfully against a wall. He swiftly walked over and crouched down.
"Enervate"
Harry's eyes opened lazily and he blinked slowly before flinching slightly, and pressing himself against the wall.
"I'm sorry, sir, I just. . .couldn't walk any further."
"And it didn't occur to you to tell me?"
Harry cast his eyes down.
"I'm sorry sir, I thought you'd be angry with me. I was going to sit for a moment and then catch up."
Snape's face softened and he helped Harry to his feet. The boy was as shaky as a new-born colt and could barely keep his feet. Now really concerned, Snape made to try and steady him, but Harry jerked away, stumbling into the wall with a moan and sliding down to the bottom.
Near frantic with worry, Snape cast an invisibility charm on Harry and lifted him gently into his arms, and quickly made his way down to the Dungeons. When he was there he gently laid Harry on his sofa and stroked the boy's limp hair off his forehead. A briefly whispered 'Massus' confirmed his suspicions that Harry was almost lethally underweight, at a mere 5stone. There was only one thing he could do.
"Poppy!"
The medi-witch appeared and nearly fainted.
"Good Merlin, what happened?"
"His concealing charms came off."
"He must barely weigh. . ."
"5stone. We need to get him to St Mungo's."
Pomfrey nodded, her usually jovial face tight with anxiety, and Snape realised they did genuinely care about Harry. They just had a useless way of showing it.
Within 10 minutes, Harry had been transferred to a high security unit in St Mungo's. Snape sat with him, wondering why on earth he had become so worried about this boy. Thank Merlin Albus had managed to pull some strings with various people to make sure Harry was surrounded by true professionals who just wanted to get him hooked up to some odd device which seemed to be sending food into his veins, and not to merely gape at the Boy-Who-Had- Lived and then Fallen. The boy looked so small, and pale, his face almost as white as the starched sheets. The scar, and shadows under his eyes, stood out lividly. He really did look like death warmed up.
He had been forced to tell Albus everything he knew. Would Harry ever forgive him? Why did he care? On the other hand, Albus had understood, and given Snape a free reign to look after Harry. And he was paying the Dursleys a little visit today. Had he not actually experienced Harry's memories, Snape might have felt sorry for the Muggles. Dumbledore was a very strong wizard, and not a little terrifying when moved to anger.
Absently, he took one of Harry's bony hands and began to stroke it.
"I might as well tell you now that Dumbledore knows everything, Harry. I don't believe in lying, so I won't tell you he forced me to speak. He. . .asked me in a way that I could not refuse. I know that it was betraying your trust, Harry, but you needed medical attention. If it helps at all I didn't tell him about your arms. You need to tell someone, but I understand that it's your own decision. He's not cross with you now that he understands, he's just furious with those revolting Muggles. In fact I think he was going to visit them today."
He paused, looking down at the gaunt face, and resumed his gentle stroking.
"And nobody else knows, and they won't until you want to tell them. Not Black, nor Lupin, or McGonagall, Granger or Weasley. It's just between you and me; Dumbledore has agreed to stay uninvolved until you want him to be. You see, you're in charge here. Whatever happens, within reason, is up to you. I know that I put you here, and that I told Dumbledore, but I had to. Whatever you may think, I refuse to accept that your life isn't worth living, and I will endeavour to keep you alive for as long as I can. Although when Voldemort died, I was supposed to have finished with that."
Allowing himself a dark chuckle, he lapsed back into silence, for a few moments. Unfortunately, the boy seemed to make Snape babble even when he was unconscious.
"I don't know why I'm here, really. I should have gone straight to Minerva and Albus the moment I heard about the abuse. It was unprofessional of me to keep it myself. But I think maybe I understand you better than they do. I think when I first met you, I was too eager to see something that wasn't there. Just like everyone else. But everyone else wanted to see a saviour; a light. I wanted to see a stubborn, spoilt little boy. We were all blinded, but I suppose it was easier for me to see through the walls. Maybe it's because it's hard for people to see a hero fall, or maybe it's because I'm used to my Slytherins. You know, you are very Slytherin. I don't believe it's a trait picked up from either of your parents, because they were Gryffindors to the bone. But then again you had to have some Slytherin traits growing up in that awful home.
'You're never going to have to go back there again. I don't know what Albus is going to do to those damned Muggles but I would imagine it won't be pleasant. You know, everyone does care about you. They just have a hard time showing it in the right way. I used to think they saw you as a tool, but I don't think they do, really. It's just that you have been for so long, it's hard for them to change their opinions. They do genuinely care, though. They are all afraid for you. And. . .so am I, though I don't quite understand why. I've even got Albus to cancel my classes until you are better so I can stay here. It's the first time I've ever cancelled a class, but it was worth it for the expression on Minerva's face. I thought she was going to faint."
He smirked at the memory and reverently ran his hand over Harry's scar.
"Albus will be here in a minute, and I dread to think what he'll assume if he sees me talking to an unconscious boy. So I'll stop babbling inanely and let your mind get some rest."
He sat in silence, watching the skinny chest rise and fall with small breaths, until he heard the sound of footsteps in the corridor, and then the sound of a door opening. Albus came in behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"How is he?"
"I don't know. He hasn't woken up since we got here. The doctors say it's very serious. They can get him back to a non-fatal weight, but there's no guarantee he won't just starve it all off himself. How are those revolting relatives?"
Dumbledore smiled grimly, the sight almost as terrifying as Voldemort.
"They will not be giving him any trouble."
Snape almost winced at the words.
"What did you do to them?"
Albus moved next to Harry.
"He's so frail. . .how could we have let this happen?"
Ignoring the fact that Dumbledore had completely changed tack, Snape shrugged.
"He hid it well. As you said, he would have done well in Slytherin."
Dumbledore sighed deeply, and Snape could see how much this affected him.
"I wish I could stay for longer, but I must return to Hogwarts. Please let me know if there is any change in his condition. How long will you stay, Severus?"
"Until he wakes up, and sends me away" - with a touch of wry humour - "I can stay in an adjacent room."
Dumbledore nodded, checked that ridiculous watch of his, and stepped into the flames to travel back to Hogwarts.
****************************************
Snape woke up the next morning in the chair next to Harry's bed. The teenager looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a civil smile.
"Good morning, professor Snape, you COMPLETE AND UTTER BASTARD! Why the Hell am I here? What did you do?"
His face softened into a kicked-puppy look that by all rights should have annoyed Snape, but instead made him feel like he had crawled out of a gutter.
"Why did you do that to me? You promised! I thought you were the one person who would do the sensible thing."
His green eyes fixed on Snape, begging him for an explanation. Snape swallowed.
"Harry, I'm sorry. You collapsed on the way down from the Divination room. I couldn't wake you, and when I finally did you fainted again. I carried you to my chambers and called Pomfrey just as your concealing charms fell. We had no other choice, Harry - you would have died."
Harry looked at him, amazement written in his eyes.
"I could have died? Really? Wow, I never considered that when I JUMPED OFF THE ASTRONOMY TOWER!"
Snape flinched at the words, and then realised that Harry was crying. He reached out a hand to touch his shoulder, but Harry pulled away roughly.
"Don't touch me! Leave me alone!"
Snape pulled back, concern in his dark eyes.
"Harry, I tried to do what was best. I'm sorry you had to come here."
When he realised Harry wasn't going to respond to him, he moved into the next room to allow the doctor to examine Harry and watched the boy through a one way window he had conjured into the wall. He lay flat and motionless, his shoulder-blades sticking out from the sheets, and his eyes gazing sightlessly ahead.
Allowing a frown to crease his forehead, Snape flooed to Hogwarts. Dumbledore was waiting for him when he stumbled out of the fireplace.
"How is he?"
"He woke up. I think it would be safe to say that he's not too happy with me."
"What did he say?"
"Pretty much what I was expecting. He was furious to be in the Hospital, and told me so. I thought that my presence was doing more harm than good so I came back."
"All the same, Severus, I think you should. . ."
Whatever Albus thought Severus should do was lost as a Medi-witch's face suddenly appeared in the flames.
"Professors Dumbledore and Snape? We need you urgently at the Hospital. Mr Potter has just suffered a heart attack."
**Mwahahahaha how's that for a cliffie? -smirks evilly- I may kill Harry. It's tempting. But then again I may not. Who knows where this is going? Who knows if it is even going anywhere? Ooh, wait, breakthrough. . .it isn't!**
"Come on, I don't have all day" snapped Snape, swirling down the corridor. In truth, he did. He knew that seeing any other teacher would be disastrous for Harry, and so had got permission from the headmaster to have harry stay with him for a while. If Dumbledore had been surprised, he didn't show it; Minerva, on the other hand, had been livid.
"Stay with Severus?" she had shrilled indignantly, "He would be far safer in his own House. We Gryffindors look after each other." To which Snape had icily replied,
"Yes, he found your tender care so acceptable he felt like throwing himself out of the Astronomy Tower"
Dumbledore looked sternly at Snape, but said nothing. McGonagall didn't seem to be able to think of a smart comeback, and just sneered. She should take lessons, reflected Snape. That was a pathetic excuse for a sneer.
However he had volunteered to search for the boy, and had asked Dumbledore to cancel his lessons for the day.
The problem, he thought, sweeping down the corridor and sending such a spiteful glare at a 4th year Ravenclaw that she actually screamed,was that he didn't know how to get through to Harry. The boy seemed to have hidden himself behind the Harry Potter persona - and he had done it well. Snape could tell a lie from a mile off, but it had taken him so long to see the truth behind Potter. Now he felt guilty about it, though he had no idea why.
Suddenly he realised that behind him was silent. Too silent. The sound of footsteps, however light, had gone. Cursing himself for losing the boy, Snape turned around and retraced his footsteps to the nearest juncture. He was just about to take a guess at which way to turn when he saw a faint shape on the floor, slumped painfully against a wall. He swiftly walked over and crouched down.
"Enervate"
Harry's eyes opened lazily and he blinked slowly before flinching slightly, and pressing himself against the wall.
"I'm sorry, sir, I just. . .couldn't walk any further."
"And it didn't occur to you to tell me?"
Harry cast his eyes down.
"I'm sorry sir, I thought you'd be angry with me. I was going to sit for a moment and then catch up."
Snape's face softened and he helped Harry to his feet. The boy was as shaky as a new-born colt and could barely keep his feet. Now really concerned, Snape made to try and steady him, but Harry jerked away, stumbling into the wall with a moan and sliding down to the bottom.
Near frantic with worry, Snape cast an invisibility charm on Harry and lifted him gently into his arms, and quickly made his way down to the Dungeons. When he was there he gently laid Harry on his sofa and stroked the boy's limp hair off his forehead. A briefly whispered 'Massus' confirmed his suspicions that Harry was almost lethally underweight, at a mere 5stone. There was only one thing he could do.
"Poppy!"
The medi-witch appeared and nearly fainted.
"Good Merlin, what happened?"
"His concealing charms came off."
"He must barely weigh. . ."
"5stone. We need to get him to St Mungo's."
Pomfrey nodded, her usually jovial face tight with anxiety, and Snape realised they did genuinely care about Harry. They just had a useless way of showing it.
Within 10 minutes, Harry had been transferred to a high security unit in St Mungo's. Snape sat with him, wondering why on earth he had become so worried about this boy. Thank Merlin Albus had managed to pull some strings with various people to make sure Harry was surrounded by true professionals who just wanted to get him hooked up to some odd device which seemed to be sending food into his veins, and not to merely gape at the Boy-Who-Had- Lived and then Fallen. The boy looked so small, and pale, his face almost as white as the starched sheets. The scar, and shadows under his eyes, stood out lividly. He really did look like death warmed up.
He had been forced to tell Albus everything he knew. Would Harry ever forgive him? Why did he care? On the other hand, Albus had understood, and given Snape a free reign to look after Harry. And he was paying the Dursleys a little visit today. Had he not actually experienced Harry's memories, Snape might have felt sorry for the Muggles. Dumbledore was a very strong wizard, and not a little terrifying when moved to anger.
Absently, he took one of Harry's bony hands and began to stroke it.
"I might as well tell you now that Dumbledore knows everything, Harry. I don't believe in lying, so I won't tell you he forced me to speak. He. . .asked me in a way that I could not refuse. I know that it was betraying your trust, Harry, but you needed medical attention. If it helps at all I didn't tell him about your arms. You need to tell someone, but I understand that it's your own decision. He's not cross with you now that he understands, he's just furious with those revolting Muggles. In fact I think he was going to visit them today."
He paused, looking down at the gaunt face, and resumed his gentle stroking.
"And nobody else knows, and they won't until you want to tell them. Not Black, nor Lupin, or McGonagall, Granger or Weasley. It's just between you and me; Dumbledore has agreed to stay uninvolved until you want him to be. You see, you're in charge here. Whatever happens, within reason, is up to you. I know that I put you here, and that I told Dumbledore, but I had to. Whatever you may think, I refuse to accept that your life isn't worth living, and I will endeavour to keep you alive for as long as I can. Although when Voldemort died, I was supposed to have finished with that."
Allowing himself a dark chuckle, he lapsed back into silence, for a few moments. Unfortunately, the boy seemed to make Snape babble even when he was unconscious.
"I don't know why I'm here, really. I should have gone straight to Minerva and Albus the moment I heard about the abuse. It was unprofessional of me to keep it myself. But I think maybe I understand you better than they do. I think when I first met you, I was too eager to see something that wasn't there. Just like everyone else. But everyone else wanted to see a saviour; a light. I wanted to see a stubborn, spoilt little boy. We were all blinded, but I suppose it was easier for me to see through the walls. Maybe it's because it's hard for people to see a hero fall, or maybe it's because I'm used to my Slytherins. You know, you are very Slytherin. I don't believe it's a trait picked up from either of your parents, because they were Gryffindors to the bone. But then again you had to have some Slytherin traits growing up in that awful home.
'You're never going to have to go back there again. I don't know what Albus is going to do to those damned Muggles but I would imagine it won't be pleasant. You know, everyone does care about you. They just have a hard time showing it in the right way. I used to think they saw you as a tool, but I don't think they do, really. It's just that you have been for so long, it's hard for them to change their opinions. They do genuinely care, though. They are all afraid for you. And. . .so am I, though I don't quite understand why. I've even got Albus to cancel my classes until you are better so I can stay here. It's the first time I've ever cancelled a class, but it was worth it for the expression on Minerva's face. I thought she was going to faint."
He smirked at the memory and reverently ran his hand over Harry's scar.
"Albus will be here in a minute, and I dread to think what he'll assume if he sees me talking to an unconscious boy. So I'll stop babbling inanely and let your mind get some rest."
He sat in silence, watching the skinny chest rise and fall with small breaths, until he heard the sound of footsteps in the corridor, and then the sound of a door opening. Albus came in behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"How is he?"
"I don't know. He hasn't woken up since we got here. The doctors say it's very serious. They can get him back to a non-fatal weight, but there's no guarantee he won't just starve it all off himself. How are those revolting relatives?"
Dumbledore smiled grimly, the sight almost as terrifying as Voldemort.
"They will not be giving him any trouble."
Snape almost winced at the words.
"What did you do to them?"
Albus moved next to Harry.
"He's so frail. . .how could we have let this happen?"
Ignoring the fact that Dumbledore had completely changed tack, Snape shrugged.
"He hid it well. As you said, he would have done well in Slytherin."
Dumbledore sighed deeply, and Snape could see how much this affected him.
"I wish I could stay for longer, but I must return to Hogwarts. Please let me know if there is any change in his condition. How long will you stay, Severus?"
"Until he wakes up, and sends me away" - with a touch of wry humour - "I can stay in an adjacent room."
Dumbledore nodded, checked that ridiculous watch of his, and stepped into the flames to travel back to Hogwarts.
****************************************
Snape woke up the next morning in the chair next to Harry's bed. The teenager looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a civil smile.
"Good morning, professor Snape, you COMPLETE AND UTTER BASTARD! Why the Hell am I here? What did you do?"
His face softened into a kicked-puppy look that by all rights should have annoyed Snape, but instead made him feel like he had crawled out of a gutter.
"Why did you do that to me? You promised! I thought you were the one person who would do the sensible thing."
His green eyes fixed on Snape, begging him for an explanation. Snape swallowed.
"Harry, I'm sorry. You collapsed on the way down from the Divination room. I couldn't wake you, and when I finally did you fainted again. I carried you to my chambers and called Pomfrey just as your concealing charms fell. We had no other choice, Harry - you would have died."
Harry looked at him, amazement written in his eyes.
"I could have died? Really? Wow, I never considered that when I JUMPED OFF THE ASTRONOMY TOWER!"
Snape flinched at the words, and then realised that Harry was crying. He reached out a hand to touch his shoulder, but Harry pulled away roughly.
"Don't touch me! Leave me alone!"
Snape pulled back, concern in his dark eyes.
"Harry, I tried to do what was best. I'm sorry you had to come here."
When he realised Harry wasn't going to respond to him, he moved into the next room to allow the doctor to examine Harry and watched the boy through a one way window he had conjured into the wall. He lay flat and motionless, his shoulder-blades sticking out from the sheets, and his eyes gazing sightlessly ahead.
Allowing a frown to crease his forehead, Snape flooed to Hogwarts. Dumbledore was waiting for him when he stumbled out of the fireplace.
"How is he?"
"He woke up. I think it would be safe to say that he's not too happy with me."
"What did he say?"
"Pretty much what I was expecting. He was furious to be in the Hospital, and told me so. I thought that my presence was doing more harm than good so I came back."
"All the same, Severus, I think you should. . ."
Whatever Albus thought Severus should do was lost as a Medi-witch's face suddenly appeared in the flames.
"Professors Dumbledore and Snape? We need you urgently at the Hospital. Mr Potter has just suffered a heart attack."
**Mwahahahaha how's that for a cliffie? -smirks evilly- I may kill Harry. It's tempting. But then again I may not. Who knows where this is going? Who knows if it is even going anywhere? Ooh, wait, breakthrough. . .it isn't!**