A/N: Hello! This is fun to write. I have a sort-of plot in mind for this. I'm not too sure it'll work, but after that last chapter, I think it'll work out. Or maybe that should be 'I hope it'll work out' instead.

Disclaimer: This isn't mine, I only own the plot.

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Windows To The Soul

Chapter three - The Truth Is Revealed

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The following day Albus came down to my office where I was sitting working. I looked up as he entered the room and placed my quill down.

"Yes Albus?" I asked patiently considering that my work had just been interrupted, and I would probably lose my train of thought altogether.

"Severus, I need you to come up to my office later. Harry has recovered since when you found him, but we need to find out what happened," he said heavily.

I frowned. There was something he wasn't telling me about Ha-Potter.

"Why do I need to be there?" I ask quietly, like a spoilt child.

"Because, Severus, I need you there to give him veritaserum, if need be," he said in a voice not to be argued with.

My frown deepens. I have never understood the man's logic, but it was usually for the best.

I stood up, and walked over to a cabinet in the corner. I opened it then picked out a phial of clear liquid, the most powerful truth potion known, veritaserum.

I saw that Albus had already left. I shook my head. I really didn't need that at that particular time. I had enough on my mind.

Sighing, I walked up to his office.

"Earwig and Lime Flavoured Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans," I said as I reached the gargoyle that guards the entrance to the Headmaster's office. I'll never understand that man's fascination with sweet for passwords.

Just as I was about to climb the stair I saw H-Potter coming along the corridor. He looked as subdued as I felt, and he was looking a little thin, even if he was nowhere near as thin as yesterday.

I wait for him, knowing he doesn't know the password, and since it would be almost impossible to guess.

As he entered and walked up the stairs I go in. I wouldn't want to arrive at exactly the same time as him, but a few seconds after would be okay.

I pushed open the door to find Ha-Potter sitting down in front of Albus' desk. Albus was sitting behind it and there was a spare chair.

"Ah, Severus, come and sit down," said Albus.

I did as I was bid, wishing I could be anywhere but in that room. Living through the nightmare of abusive relatives was bad enough; I didn't want to be reminded of it.

"Now Harry," said Albus once I had taken my seat. "We need to find out what happened at your relatives. Could you tell us?"

I saw Ha-Potter's eyes go wide, and his pupils shrink in fear at the memory.

"I don't want to talk about it Professor," he said quickly.

"Now Harry, we need to find out," repeated the Headmaster, this time more firmly. "You have two choices: tell us willingly, or we will have to use veritaserum. I do not wish it to have to be the latter of the two, but it is of the most importance that we know exactly what happened."

I saw Potter nod, giving in. He obviously realised that Albus was serious, and that either way he would have to relive the memory.

"When I got back to the Dursleys at the start of the summer my u-uncle knocked me out. I'm not sure why, but when I came round I was c-chained to my bed," he said.

It was strange. I had never heard him stutter before. The only Gryffindors ever to stutter were Neville Longbottom and Peter Pettigrew. H-Potter most certainly didn't stutter. I didn't even think he knew how to stutter.

"After a few hours my uncle came into s-see me, or rather to hit me. He st-started to yell at me that it was all m-my fault, that I was a freak, that I d-deserved everything I got. He left after about h-half an hour like this, but not before telling me that he had destroyed all of my school thing, and k-killed my owl, Hedwig.

"Over the next couple of w-weeks he carried on like this. I d-don't know why he was acting like it. He u-usually just tries his best to pretend I don't exist during s-summer. A-anyway, d-during this time my aunt d-didn't know what w-was g-going on. A-after she f-found she c-confronted my uncle. H-he k-k-k-killed h-her," at this point Har-Potter's broke down into silent tears. I couldn't believe it. Mine and Albus' faces were shocked. Whatever we had expected, this certainly wasn't it.

"Harry," the Headmaster said gently. "Harry, I know this is hard for you, but we need to know everything. It'll help to get it out as well."

Harr-Potter nodded before continuing. He took a deep breath then started talking again.

"After w-what happened, my u-uncle got worse and worse in the w-way he acted. He started hitting h-harder, and m-more often. Also, a-after what happened with m-my aunt, m-my cousin f-found out. He d-didn't t-try to s-stop my uncle l-like my aunt. I d-don't blame him for it. I-instead he settled for helping m-me as much as possible. W-we may have had our d-differences, but he couldn't j-just not h-help. He brought me food, a-and slowly I began r-regaining some of my s-strength. Then m-my uncle found out.

"W-when he found out h-he k-k-ki-kil-kiled m-m-my cousin. H-he said he had been corrupted by me, by the 'freak'. That was one of the last things he said t-to m-me. The n-next day he came in, h-hit m-me harder than ever before, a-and for longer too. He said it w-was a parting gift. H-he also told me he was leaving me t-to rot in th-that room. Af-after that I blacked out. I never saw my uncle again after that."

I saw the look in Potter's eyes. When he had spoken of his cousin's death he threatened to get tearful again, not that I could blame him. Even if they didn't get along, or even like one another, there was no way he couldn't.

Now that he had finished he fully broke down into sobs. It must have been hard on him to say what happened, so soon afterwards, but I agreed with Albus. It was better out than in. And now, after all, the truth had come out.

Ckat44: I have, and thank you!

Hermionegreen: I forgot to mention that. Oh well, at least I answered that question in this chapter. I hope this answered your question about the Dursleys. Two are dead, and the other has vanished.

Goldengirl2: I know, poor Harry! And poor Snape from the last chapter! He had to witness his mother's murder! You can't forget about that!

Denise: Thank you. I like I too.

Yay! This is my second update today! I'm not sure when I'll next update though. Hopefully soon.