Severus sat in the Headmaster's office waiting for everyone to arrive. As the door swung open he heard a dog run up the stairs and wondered to himself 'why did Sirius have to be first? Why?' before turning and glairing at the dog as he transformed. "What a pleasure to see you Sirius." he drawled in his a tone he reserved only for very, very, unfavored Gryffindors. Sirius just smiled and sat in one of the other chairs.
"So Snape, darling, how have you been?" Sirius asked with a saccharine voice, lounging in his chair and smiling.
'Just what I need, exchanging pleasantries with Sirius' Severus throught as he stood and strode across the room, pacing. As he walked towards a mirror at the end of the hall he stopped and glaired at it. Sirius, upon seeing this, laughingly said 'Now now Severus, I know we cant all be as gorgeous as me, but there is no need to take it out on your reflection,' while walking up behind him and peering into the mirror as well. However, when he choked on his words and snickered at the image of Severus wearing Gryffindor quiddich robes giving Gryffindor points and singing the praises of Harry Potter. He couldn't believe it, it was far better than any prank they had played on him at school. Severus was snapped out of his trance and gave Sirius a look that could kill as Dumbledore walked into the room to see Sirius lauging and Severus flushed with anger.
"Now boys I thought we called a truce" clucked Dumbledore. "Severus, what happened?"
"Sirus has enchanted all mirrors to display me in a compromising postion. Yesterday when I woke up I looked in the mirror and my image was wearing a ballet costume and doing pirouettes." At this point Sirius's laugh became hysterical and he fell to his knees clutching his stomach. "The day before I was dressed as a muggle farmer and was chasing a chicken that had a remarkable resemblance to Draco Malfoy." Severus continued. At the image of Severus dressed in overalls with a pitchfork Sirus could no longer contain himself and began rolling around on the floor. "It started about a week ago, and I don't think its funny." Huffed Severus with wounded pride. Albus had the familiar twinkle in his eye and was trying not to laugh.
"Are you sure it was Sirius? That sounds like pretty powerful magic" asked Albus with concern and a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Look at him rolling around on the floor" said Severus haughtily. "and it doesn't seem to be the way Voldemort would try to get me back" he finished with a slight snicker. Gasping for breath Sirus held up a hand as if in attempt to speak, but before he could he caught a glimpse of the mirror and doubled over again. Albus cleared his throat and gave Sirius a look telling him to get up. Clutching his stomach he bit on his lip to refrain from laughing.
"Well, I must admit, I am not that clever, though I wish I had thought of it" ceded Sirius "I wonder how they did it…" he continued honestly. Albus looked a bit concerned at this, he had hoped it was Sirius, and now was uncertain who did it.
"Has anything else odd been happening?" he inquired.
Severus thought about it for a minute, about the dreams he had had every night about a large purple muggle man beating him, but he thought better of it, as he had no desire to see Sirius start laughing again. "No sir, that is all" he answered as Arabella Figg entered the room in a flurry of activity.
The meeting was the end of a week long series. Everyone was happy to leave and get back home, and they all rushed out of the secrit chamber. All but Severus Snape who was sitting, fuming about the mirror situation. Albus came over and asked him the problem. "You know what the problem is" he growled at the Headmaster who chuckled.
"The mirrors?" Snape nodded. "Well lets see what we can do then" the Headmaster continued peering down at the man through his half-moon spectacles. He scanned the man for magical traces, and he found the signature of one. It was not an incantation Albus had ever seen. It was simply white magical energy surrounding him. 'how odd' Albus thought to himself, and then he saw the flicker of a magical signature that flow through the energy aura. 'Well Harry…seems you've been hiding a few talents from us… what did you do to your poor professor?' and smiled at Severus before attempting a counter-curse. However, nothing that the headmaster did could undo the spell, every thing bounced off. The headmaster remained completely amused, knowing that this was Harry's work, as every attempt incenced Snape to become more angry.
"Well it appears you'll have to wait until September when the perpetrator comes back to Hogwarts, or until the spell wears off." Shrugged Albus. 'that is one Strong spell… does Harry know?' he thought to himself.
"What do you mean, September" spat Severus. "Who did this, Black?"
Albus sighed "no, it wasn't Black, otherwise I would have him do the counter spell right now, though I doubt he knows it, as I don't. Honestly, I thought you two were over your childish feud" he clucked like a parent.
"So then, which professor would have the desire, and be powerful enough for you not to break it. Surely you didn't rehire Moony." said the exasperated Snape.
"Ah, I believe you are looking at the wrong section of the Hogwarts population" said the headmaster with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Snape knew that this cryptic answer was the end of the conversation, and he stopped asking questions.
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Harry tried to get up out of bed, but the beating last night was the worst it had ever been. As he opened his one eye, for the other was swollen shut, he saw the world for a brief, dizzy second, before he passed out once again. The Board of Directors of Vernon's Drill Company had decided it was time to cut their losses and sell the company. Vernon, after several drinks at the company's expense, had determined that this too was Harry's fault. It went on for hours, until exhausted Vernon could no longer inflict any damage, then he left Harry, screaming "clean up that blood off the kitchen floor" zipped his trousers and trudged up to bed. Harry passed out as soon as the beating stopped, and only woke up long enough to mop the blood up before crawling to the cupboard and onto the dirty mattress. As he lay there, every part of his body aching and refusing to cooperate, he wanted it to end.
When Severus left the office he found a mirror and watched as his reflection danced around and sang the praises of Harry Potter. He was quite surprised that someone had managed this magic and cracked a smile at the image. He too was a prankster, and could appreciate fine work (though he would never let anyone else know), after he and the Mauraders left Hogwarts he had no one to practice on, but the art hadn't died. He would get who ever had done this back, and it would be even more amusing… Though it would be quite interesting to get Sirius and Remus with this. He smirked at the thought as he continued to stare into the mirror, hoping to see a hint of who had done it. He was about to give up, when he was compelled to ask the mirror its self. "Show me who did this."
The image dissolved to something he had seen in his dreams. Only this time it wasn't in first person. He could clearly see the purple whale of a man beating a child. The child was so small, he appeared to be no more than twelve or thirteen. He couldn't get a good look at him, as the man was blocking his view. If he had seen him though he would have seen the dark, raven coloured hair… and the scar… Harry looked worse than he had ever looked. There a was a large cut on his chest where one of his ribs had broken so severly that its razor sharp edge went through the skin. His back was brused, as was his spine. Both of his eyes were blackened, both from lack of sleep and from being hit. There was a cut on his lower lip where he had bit through in order to prevent himself from screaming. A large swollen bruse on his cheek which had opened as he was hit by a fireplace implement brandished in his Uncil's rage. His arms had numerous cuts where he blocked various sharp objects. There was a large gash in his knee, and every limb seemed to have a broken bone. There was blood in his hair, and it was matted in the back, a small trickle running down his neck. As Severus saw this he felt sick. It was inhuman, how anyone could do this to a child. And the beating continued. The man was screaming at the child "Looks like none of your kind care about you. That owl of yours didn't alert anyone, did she?" he threw a few more blows before continuing "I bet that broken wing didn't help," the child began to look more defeated. "This is what you get for hexing my business. Are you happy now?" he questioned. "I knew we should have drowned you the day we found you on our doorstep, Petunia wouldn't let me do that to a poor innocent baby, but I knew how you would turn out. A drain on the family"
"I have never been a drain on your family. I hardly think that giving me a mattress in a cupboard, forcing me to be your slave, starving me and giving me Dudley's old clothes is a drain." The boy said coolly, as if lecturing, but showing no real sign of emotion.
The fat man wailed as he began fishing around in his pocket. "Ungrateful beast. I should have sent you to St. Brutus. You are just like that godfather you always threaten me with. Or did you think I wouldn't find out? One of your school mates sent me this. Murdurer!" This affected the boy like none of the blows had. He began whimpering something about a portkey, and a graveyard. As Severus looked he recognized the newspaper clipping. He became nauseated when he realized that this child was Harry Potter. This was definitely not how Severus had pictured Harry's family life. These were the beatings that he had witnessed in his dreams. No one deserved this. Shaking he stood and went back to the Headmaster's office, robes billowing out behind him. He was unable to say the password correctly until he took a few breaths and composed himself. As he entered the headmaster's office he had regained his composure enough to erect the façade he normally hid behind.
Albus had gotten up from his desk when he heard someone entering his office, and was walking over to the enterence when Severus entered. Severus paced around the office. "Albus, I think you should send someone to check on the Potter boy" He continued cooly.
"Ah so you have realized the perpetrator of the prank?" the Headmaster asked somewhat amused.
"This is far more important than my reflection, I believe he might be injured." A worried expression began to cloud the Headmaster's face. "Someone has to go and get him." He ended with finality. Dumbledore handed Snape a cup of tea and sat him down, asking questions in a soothing voice.
"Is it the Death Eaters, do they know where he is?" he asked coaxingly.
Severus looked at him angrily. "We don't have much time for tea, and he would be better off with Death Eaters, he might fight back." He answered.
"And you are certain he is in danger? Arabella and the others have not said anything. No dark presence." Albus told the professor.
"I already told you. It isn't a wizard." Said the angry and increasingly irritated Snape. "If you don't go now he might not make it!" he said and resumed his pacing.
The headmaster needed more information. He believed that the potions master was upset about something. However, he thought that perhaps the prank on the professor was put on by someone wanting him to lead everyone to the boy. He remembered the signature from earlier, and knew that it was Harry himself who had put on the spell. Was it an elaborate prank? In order to finally get a conclusive answer and therefore calm Severus's fear he contacted Arabella Figg, who's job it was to look after the boy.
A head appeared in the fire place and said "Albus. I just got home, and found Harry's owl on my doorstep. It appears she has a broken wing. I am not really sure how she ended up on my doorstep. I think the clock might be broken, because it says he is in peril and none of the other detectors have gone off, but the hand seems to be stuck between in danger and in mortal peril. He's always in danger though and he may be fine. It has been broken before."
After giving the headmaster a determined look Severus had stormed out of the office, robes billowing behind him, grabbed a broom and flew off Hogwarts grounds to where he could apparate. He arrived a little way from Privet Drive, and ran toward the house. He arrived at the Dursley's before Arabella. He rung the doorbell. A whale of a child answered it and in a very bratty voice asked "What do you want?" before shouting to his dad "Father, there are some of those people here!" A man came lumbering to the door, and Severus recognized him immediately. It was the man from the dreams. "What do you want, We don't Allow Your Kind here. Leave!" Shouted the Man shutting the door in their faces. Snape was shaking. He opened the door with a quick Alohamora. The man thus incised began shouting in rage and yelled for his wife to call the police. He then stormed upstairs.
Snape took this opportunity to run to the cabinet under the stairs. He felt he knew this was where he had to go. It was identical to the nightmares he had had. However, as much as he saw in the mirror had reminded him of the days of being a Death Eater, he was still unable to come to terms with what he saw. There was a small mattress in the corner of the cupboard and on it was a bloody body. Severus shook his head, this was only a child, far to small to be a fifth-year. Far to small to really be Harry. Yet he recognized the trunk, and the books. Shuddering he walked over, and picked up the boy. He was too light. Far too light. The boy's eye flickered open and he rasped 'Help me' before collapsing against his chest. Severus was taken aback, by and he cradled the boy like a small child.
He looked around the cupboard, and found all of Harry's things. There wasn't much. He shrank Harry's few belongings and put them in his pocket. He was about to leave the cupboard as the door was shut and locked. He heard an evil cackle. Carefully shifting Harry's weight he easily opened the door but before he could utter a stunning spell Vernon Dursley had fired a gun at him, and it was headed straight for his heart. One of Harry's eyes was slightly open, and the shining emerald saw what was going to happen and shifted his body to take the bullet. . 'I promised my self I would look after him and now he is going to take a bullet for me, brilliant' Severus said to himself cynically. Just then a weird sensation filled his body. It was the magical equivalent of being electrocuted, Severus felt his body filled with powerful magic that was emanating from the small broken boy. A white light surrounded them. As he watched the bullet hit the aura it stopped midair, as if it had hit a wall, and fell to the floor. Vernon was pinned against the wall, seemingly held up by the neck, and the other Dursleys ran away in shock, but they didn't get far before they were petrified. Just as the bullet dropped Arabella had entered the house. The air was full of magic though the aura had dispelled, and she tried to understand what was happening. She looked up to Severus for an explanation, however he looked as dazed as she was. 'Harry would have stopped the bullet from killing him, one of his most hated professors, but he did anyway.' thought Severus in his trance. 'no, he has no idea who I am me' he continued. But the more he thought about it the more certain he was that the boy had saved him regardless. The bullet was aimed at his heart. If it hadn't stopped it would have killed him, wizard or not a bullet could be deadly and the magical shield that the boy erected stopped it. Some strange force possessed Snape to bend down and he picked up the bullet. It was no longer a bullet, but a smooth, flat disc with a phoenix relief, and it was no longer made of steal. However Snape didn't have time to notice as he put it in his pocket. He had to get Harry to the Hospital wing.
"You take care of the muggles. They called the police, and this will take a few memory charms. I'm going to get Harry back to Hogwarts." Commanded the professor, and walked out of the house. He could feel every bone, vertebrate and rib as he carried the skeletal body, and it increased the Potions Master's worry. It was as if Harry hadn't had a thing to eat the entire summer, if not longer. He could almost feel the pain. He cradled the boy, forgetting everything but the need to get Harry to safety. Something about the situation had awakened emotions Severus had never thought he would posess, and a tear trickled down his cheek as he realized how poorly this boy had been treated his entire life, and how wrong he was in judging him. He felt the frail body shiver despite the warm summer day. 'He must have a fever' he thought and worried more and more about the bundle in his arms. Afraid of hurting the boy more he slowly used his wand to make connection with a strip of leather around his wrist. This activated a portkey that brought the two back to Hogwarts.
As he carried the boy up the stairs he found himself wishing forgiveness for every time he had been horrid. He hadn't grown up as Severus thought he had. He wasn't spoiled, and he definitely was not loved. He found himself promising that all of that would change, and was beside himself wondering how he could do such a thing. His thoughts still wrought up in how to make amends he entered the hospital wing to find Albus Dumbledore and Poppy. He walked over to a bed and placed the unconscious child in it, Madam Pomfry rushed over and he helped her undress the child. Dumbledore was looking at Harry analyzing the powerful aura that pulsed around him, seeing traces of it surrounding the professor. In all his years at Hogwarts he hadn't seen anyone be able to summon a protection like it. He knew something big had gone down at Number 4 Privet drive.
Nearly every inch of Harry's body was covered in bruising. There were severe areas of swelling, and it was obvious that quite a few bones had been broken. Not only that the boy looked like a concentration camp survivor. He was skeletally thin. As they took off the clothing that was far too big they came to a layer of poorly wrapped bandages, apparently torn from bed sheets or similar things. Pomfry started muttering about 'horrid muggle medicine' and Severus was in shock when he noticed the button holes on one of the bandages. He remembered tearing up a shirt in his dreams. 'This wasn't medicine. These were Harry's attempts at fixing the injuries.' He said as he gingerly helped Poppy remove them. The alabaster skin was stretched tightly and every bone could be seen. There was not a trace of fat, bones jutted out sharply and the muscles seemed to be over worked. Many of his injuries became painfully obvious. His bones all seemed to meet at odd angles, and several joints appeared shattered. Numerous ribs had been broken, one of which was sticking up through the flesh. One of his shoulders did not function properly, his stomach was swollen from the lack of food, and there were various cuts, bruses, and other fractures. Severus seated himself in a chair nearby, thinking to himself 'If only I had paid more attention to those dreams' Albus lay a comforting hand on the man's shoulder and watched as the medi-witch did her job. He didn't bother to ask Severus any more questions.
When she stopped hustiling around and tucked Harry in Albus asked about his condition. "He's always been thin, but it appears he hasn't eaten a thing for about a month, though it could be longer. Albus did the math, Harry hadn't eaten since Cedric's death, and he knew Harry hadn't eaten much while he was fighting with Ron, or during the tournament. He was covered in bruises and cuts. "He has some swelling in the brain, a fracture in his cheekbone, a fracture in his skull, several vertebrae are shattered, his left tibia, right fibula, are as well. A shattered elbow, a dislocated sholder, a broken wrist, several fragmented ribs, and those that aren't are broken or severely bruised. A large cut on his right palm, one of his ribs punctured his lung, there is a large amount internal bleeding. " she listed, continuing for quite some time. The list went on and on. Severus sat continuing his chant 'if only I had paid more attention to those dreams' as Albus took a seat on the bed careful not to disturb the boy, holding his one good hand. "on top of that it appears he has been raped, repeatidly." This drew Severus's attention immediately and he looked at the mediwitch for confirmation, she nodded and sighed. "I can not give him the potions to fix much because it could cause serious damage to his digestive system." "I removed the bone shards from his lungs using that spell of Professor Lockhearts" She Albus and Severus all wondered to themselves that something beneficial had come out of that man. 'Until some nutrients are in his system I can not do much more.' "Frankly I have no idea how he is still alive."
Albus silently agreed. Harry would have been better off being hit by the Hogwarts Express. 'Harry, what happened to you?' He thought wondering why he had sent the boy back there. 'Why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you use any magic?' he continued . He then gave the hand a soft squeeze.
Albus had left the hospital wing and was sitting in his office. He was unsure what to do about Harry, and he was beside himself with concern and anger. Albus had sent him there. Told him he would be safe there. Never checked up on him. Never listened to his pleas to go anywhere else. He sighed. As he sat in his thoughts he glanced into an orb on his desk and saw Severus sitting at his bedside. This made his eyes soften and a slow smile came across his lips. 'Well there is hope yet for the two of them' and went back to wondering what he could do to remedy the situation.
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Just as inspiration hit he was called from his thoughts by Arabella's head talking in the fireplace. "Dumbledore sir, we need your help at the house, as soon as you can get here." Albus sighed and nodded. He looked into the orb one more time but it appeared Harry was in good hands. He then grabbed a battered old quill which was in his desk drawer, said an incantation, and was transported to Harry's old house. As he walked through the door he surveyed the sceen he saw a very scared Vernon Dursly pinned against the wall seemingly by his neck, and twenty Aurors standing around him. There were ministry officials milling about as well. It appeared the Accidental Magic squad had been sent out, and they had called the Aurors in. The Aurors had in turn called more Aurors and then a few Unspeakables to the scene, when they failed they began calling in the Curse Breakers. Amoung them Bill Weasley stood analyzing the man infront of him with worry and hatred etched on his face, not unlike the expressions of the other people congregated who were aware of who's house this was. "You see, none of us can break the enchantment, even together" Arabella stated. As Albus looked he saw the same white, red and gold that he had seen around Severus, and knew it was Harry. He loathingly looked at the man pinned against the wall, and almost regretted helping him down. He clucked at himself and then proceeded to look for a weakness in the enchantment. He wondered if all twenty aurors and himself could actually break it, this was the most powerful wandless magic he had ever seen. Dumbledore realized that attacking it head on was not the right way, so instead of trying to take away the bonds sealing Vernon to the wall, they would have to force the wall to reject the bond sealing it to Vernon.
"Alright, everyone has to come over here and form concentric semicircles around this man." He said, and everyone followed suit. "Arabella, when he is released I need you to stun him immediately." He said while nodding at the woman. "The rest of you I need you to repeat the following incantation with thoughts in your mind of taking Vernon into custody when he is released. On the count of three, and continue chanting it until the man falls." He looked around and everyone was paying close attention. "The incantation is "solvere defigio de candio, Nos sum sociales de el candio." does everyone have that?" he looked around at the others who were nodding. "alright, on the count of three. One…two…Three." The room had the palpable buzz of clashing magic as the army of Ministry officials aided by Dumbledore took on one of Harry's spells. The chanting and buzzing went on for at least ten minutes, though it felt like hours for those working on the spell breaking. When Vernon finally fell to the floor Arabella stunned him and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As Albus looked down at the man he noticed something very peculiar on his hand which was still clutching the rifle. There appeared to be a phoenix shaped bruise where the hand had clattered back to be pinned against the wall. 'Interesting' Albus thought to himself and looked around. "Arabella saw the condition of the child. I am sure you can handle this from here?" Albus said as he looked around. Again the aurors were the first to nod but everyone followed soon after, although they looked more ready to lynch the man than to offer him a fair trial "I trust you will take Mr. Dursley to be questioned?" Those that weren't working with the Obliviators nodded. Spotting Bill Weasley the headmaster went and talked to him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, is Harry alright?" Bill asked
"We've taken him back to Hogwarts and Poppy is looking after him." Was the Headmaster's cryptic reply, but it seemed to assuage some of Bill's worry.
"Would you mind keeping this from your family for a few days, I'm sure Harry wouldn't want them to worry too much." He added as an afterthought.
He went into the little cupboard and looked around for Harry's things. He found his wand and invisibility cloak under a loose floorboard and tucked them into a pocket. He went to the cellar and retrieved Harry's broomstick. Then he walked through the kitchen to the garden outside. He saw a beautiful manmade lake, with a fountain, and what were becoming well groomed rows of flowers. As he sat down he saw a wheelbarrow and a shovel propped at one edge of the garden. Something caught his eye, and he walked over toward the wheelbarrow. He picked up a piece of parchment and opened it up to reveal the letter Ginny had sent Harry. It was tearstained and worn, as if Harry had read it over many times. Pocketing it he walked up the street, about a mile, while milling over the events of the day. He apparated back to Hogsmead and walked the rest of the way to the castle.
As Albus opened the door to his office his Phoenix, Fawks, came bursting out the door. Albus watched him fly down the corridor he realized that he had only seen Fawks this determined once before… when Harry was down in the chamber of secrets. Sighing and steeling himself for the sight that lay ahead he followed the bird to the hospital wing. Fawks was extremely agitated. He had a connection to Harry, and had healed him on at least two occasions prior. 'Yes, the phoenix was just as loyal to Harry as he is to me' Albus thought. There was something special about that boy. He had always known. It had taken quite a few powerful wizards to counteract that spell. And the way Fawks doted on him. 'Perhaps that is why he's been acting funny' thought the headmaster. 'Yes there was definitely something more to Harry, and I think the time is coming when I will have to tell him what I already know.'
Severus didn't leave Harry's side. He assisted Madam Pomfry, helped her wash out the blood and dirt that covered the boy's skeletal frame. Cradling the boy he got him to swallow some broth and the various potions he needed, even sending Poppy to the dungeons to grab a few bottles that would be more potent than those that Pomfry had in her collection. Normally she would have protested but she went grudgingly, knowing that there was no room for argument. Professor Snape sat on the edge of Harry's bed careful not to hurt him. He looked down at the boy, saw his laboured breathing, his injuries, and the aura that still surrounded him. 'Harry what have they done to you' he thought while absentmindedly stroking the hand still clutching his robes. A lone tear fell from his eye, and he let it trickle down his cheek as he thought about how poorly he himself had treated the boy.
Severus looked up from the boy's broken figure to see Fawks pounding on the door wanting to be let in. Assuming that Dumbledore had sent him, and knowing the healing properties of Phoenix tears (he was a potions master after all) he reluctantly left Harry's side and let Fawks in. Fawks flew over to Harry and began to sing a sad and haunting song. Tears were flowing from him and they landed on Harry's various injuries. The cuts healed and the bruises started to fade. The bones began to fuse back together, and the strain that was evident on Harry's unconscious face faded with the pain. Severus was taken aback. He had never seen a Phoenix this worried, or careing for anyone other than his chosen keeper. As he watched Fawks fuss over the boy Albus walked into the room. "He has a special connection with Harry." said Albus, startling Severus who turned around to see the Headmaster standing with the customary twinkle in his otherwise weary eyes. Severus wondered not for the first time if the Headmaster was telepathic. "This isn't the first time Fawks has rushed to his side." He continued, as much for his own benefit as for the professor's. Seeing there was nothing more he could do Fawks perched himself on the head of Harry's bed and watched over the boy critically. Several tears still flowed down his cheek. He began singing a more hopeful Phoenix tune and looked over at the two men. "I should get Poppy, she should check him over again." said Albus and he walked toward the office. Severus cradled the boy and looked up at Fawks thankfully. The Phoenix looked back at him with a similar expression, and Severus would have sworn that he nodded to him.
Madam Pomfry came back into the room, and had a questioning expression as she saw Severus hugging the limp child. As she checked the boy's injuries she found that the internal bleeding had receded, the head injuries had healed, and even the fractures appeared to be mending nicely. "It appears that Harry…. responds… quite well… to phoenix tears" she said still distraught. 'that is unusual, he healed so quickly, even with their aid' she thought to herself. "We have to wait until he awakes, if he awakes, to determine if there was any brain damage, but aside from being underweight he should be fine." She stated firmly. "He will need some time to regain his strength, and it is still uncertain whether or not he will wake." Said the nurse, hoping she was wrong. At this point Fawks's song became slower, and quieter, as if he were singing only for Harry to hear. Severus resolved himself to stay with Harry until he woke. He was not clear what would happen then, but like a father seeing his injured son he knew he couldn't tear himself away.
"Harry will wake up, but we have to keep talking to him, we have to keep his spirits up while he is trapped in there." Stated Severus forcefully. The headmaster smiled and nodded at him. As Snape cradled the child he wondered where his speech had come from. Did he really know? How could he? And more importantly when he began to feel this way, that this boy was worth more than anything he could ever do for him. He had always respected the child, and worried about him, but when did he develop these… protective feelings toward the Potter boy? Slightly exasperated with himself he looked up.
"Severus, do you think you can tell me what happened? I am sure Fawks will watch over him for us."
"Albus, I will meet you in your office. I wish to stay here a few more minutes" he said in what was, for him, a pleading voice, his eyes never leaving the boy. Neither Albus, nor Madam Pomfry would deny him, they were taken aback by the change in this cold, seemingly heartless man. Severus moved his chair over to the side of the bed and looked at the boy. "I am so sorry" he said. "Why did you try and take the bullet? How did you save us?" he asked, knowing he wouldn't receive an answer. After the five minutes were up he reluctantly stood to leave, Madam Pomphry eyeing him closely the whole time. As he was about to walk away a hand grasped his robes and the child mumbled something. This further eroded the carefully constructed wall around Severus' heart. Madam Pomfry saw the hand grasp the robes, and sighed. "I have to go talk to Dumbledore. I will be right back after, and then I wont leave until you tell me to." He gently told the boy. The hand slowly relaxed on his robes. "I promise I won't leave you too long." He said as he adjusted the bedclothes.