Chapter 21 Flashback!! Woot!
It was Severus' first year at Hogwarts; he was a well-behaved child for the most part. So when Professor McGonagall told him that she was to escort him to Professor Dumbledore's office, he was at a complete loss. He entered the always-cluttered office and saw that Dumbledore was lacking his usually happy demeanor.
"Severus, please sit." Dumbledore said grimly. "I was just informed that your mother has been taken to St. Mungos. It would seem that your father returned to the home intoxicated and attacked your mother..."
"May I go see my mother, sir?" Young Severus asked, holding back tears.
"In a little bit Severus. Now I need to ask you if this has happened before?" The boy was silent for a few moments then nodded.
"Has your father done this to you?"
"Yes sir many times. And then he'll go after my mother if she tries to interfere." Severus said quietly.
"Severus I will try and help you and your mother, however you can not speak of this to anyone. Not even Miss Grant." He added before Severus could ask. "Minerva, would you be kind enough to take young Severus to the port key? I will be along shortly." Dumbledore said kindly.
"Of course headmaster. Come along Snape." She said leading him out of the office. They walked to her classroom where there was a port key hidden in one of the locked closets of her classroom. Suddenly they were outside of St. Mungos.
This was far from Severus' first visit to the enchanted hospital. Many times he had visited either for a healing himself or to visit his mother.
"Severus, what are you doing here?" His mother asked as he entered the room.
"Headmaster said that I could visit you. Are you all right?" He asked meekly. Her arm was in a sling, broken no doubt, there was a large bruise slowly fading around her left eye.
"Yes I'm fine. How has school been love?" She asked, brushing some of the long black hair away from his face.
"It's okay."
"And how is that darling girl of yours?"
"She's fine mum and she isn't MY girl... just yet." He smiled softly at his mother. Dumbledore and Minerva quietly entered the room.
"Hello Albus, Minerva." His mother said, trying to pull herself up slightly, but failing due to the broken ribs.
"Just rest Athena." Albus said softly. "I'm afraid Severus needs to return to school." Sadly, he tried to give his mother a hug with out causing her any discomfort and was then led out by Minerva.
As soon as the door closed Albus turned to face Athena. "I want to try and help you."