Chapter 12: Severus's Story

"What do you mean?" Professor McGonagall moaned lowly.

Snape sighed. "What I mean is his family did this to him."

"I still don't understand, why would they do this to him?" She murmured.

Snape looked at her and noticed that her eyes seemed misty as if she was keeping herself from crying. He looked over towards Dumbledore and saw a grave expression on his face.

"Remember Margot Twinge." Snape said slowly, reminding her of the one case of abuse they both had ever seen in a student of Hogwarts.

"Oh, dear." She looked wide-eyed and looked at the boy with pity.

"He doesn't want your pity." He told her coldly.

"Severus, please tell us everything." Dumbledore said solemnly.

He nodded. "During the first night of term, I found Harry brewing two healing potions, Alleviation Ale and Regina's Solution, in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. I was in a bad mood so I decided to bait him, get him angry so he'll be in more trouble but nothing I said upset him. He was acting odd, passive, not like himself. I told him I would take him to the headmaster and he would be expelled. He started pleading and begging me not to tell. He didn't care about losing points, detention, or being expelled. He just didn't want to see you, headmaster. He even tried to bribe me.

"I was worried, he wasn't acting like himself. In fact, I thought he was an imposter. I gave him detention and told him that he would tell what was going on. I watched him, followed him and realized he was an excellent actor. He could lie straight to your face and not blink an eye. He tried to lie to me again.

"I spoke with several people about him and found out that Lupin said he smelled like blood for over a month and that he didn't have the ideal family life. Also, some dealings with the Weasley family, how they had rescued him from a locked and barred bedroom.

"After he lied to me for the third time, I waited for over an hour to make sure he wasn't using Polyjuice Potion. Then I removed his glamours. Then he lied to me again; said he had been in a car wreck and that had caused the scars. He even tried to oblivate me. I didn't believe him and used the Legilimens charm. It was...disturbing."

"What were his memories?" Minerva interrupted.

"As you know, that charm isn't one hundred percent. It shows memories, dreams, and thoughts but it did give me a rough idea. I threatened him again and this time he conceded. We agreed to a deal. Every week, during his detention with me, we would talk about one of the things I saw in his mind. I would help him with medicals problems. I would advise him and keep his secrets.

"His family has always starved him. They would lock him in his room or cupboard for days on end. When he started grade school, they stopped feeding him unless it was school holidays. During his second year of Hogwarts, they stopped feeding him at all. His aunt makes him cleaning. For example, he had to clean the kitchen for hours on end. He cousin likes to beat and cut him. His body was covered with cut scars. He had the word "freak" carved into his chest. When he is bad, his uncle beats him; his back was nothing but belt and maybe whip marks. There is more I believe but I wanted to wait till we had talked them over."

Snape stopped and walked over to Harry. He smiled at him; watching deep breathes wheezing in and out of him.

Dumbledore said softly. "Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't he?"

"Oh, there are lots of reasons. He doesn't trust you. He knows his role in life; he's everyone's little hero. He knows it would be front-page news. He doesn't want to be pitied. He's disgusted by it and thinks people will be disgusted of him. Besides, he has other things to worry about like when the dark lord will strike or who is trying to kill him now. He thinks you know; after all, his letter was addressed to his cupboard. He thinks he deserves it. He thinks he is a little dirty freak. There is more but I can't think of it."

"Oh, my." Professor McGonagall gulped and sat down, white faced.

Dumbledore reached out to her and held her hand. "But why didn't you tell us?"

"Hmm, I suppose because he fought me so hard. He had kept lying to me over and over again. He tried to bribe me repeatedly. I knew he needed help but I didn't think you knew how to give it to him and I think I did and still do. He was so alone and had no one. No one to care for him and no one to trust. He finally learned he could trust me and you pulled him away because you don't trust me." Snape sneered softly at them.

Professor McGonagall hardened her eyes at him but then looked away, ashamed. Dumbledore just looked sad. Poppy looked up at him and sighed sadly then went back to Harry, continuing her tests.

The headmaster sighed. "Were you ever going to tell us?"

"About Harry suffering from child abuse, that's what the muggles call it. I have added several books to my collection on it. Yes and no, I told Harry I would tell if he was in immediate danger I would tell you and he would have to tell you before the end of term. He is not going back there." Snape stated as if bored.

"Was he with you that night he was missing?" Professor McGonagall asked firmly.

"Of course," He said scornfully, "He has free access to my rooms. In fact, he slept in my bed right next to me."

She blinked furiously and opened her mouth but he cut her off. "Still think I'm leading him astray. Still think I'm having sex with him."

"Then why isn't he a virgin?" She snarled.

He frowned. "That isn't your business or Granger's to even check. That is a question for him and I don't think he'll tell you."

Dumbledore gulped. "No."

"I think so." Snape said quietly.

"What?" She asked unsure.

"Yes," Madame Pomfrey said slowly. "There is evidence of rape."

"I have failed him." The headmaster said quietly with tears falling down his face.

Professor McGonagall blanched. "Oh, no. We would have helped. We would have. Why did he do this?"

He scoffed at her. "It was because of you, Weasley, and Granger. You pushed him when he wasn't ready. You took him away from me because of your stupidity; I may not be a good person but I am not a monster. It was because of the Tournament. It was because Ron Weasley, his first friend, is jealous of him. It happened because he doesn't think he is good enough to even be his friend. It was because I made him relive painful moments to help him. It is because he can go on for so long before even he has to give up. It was because for a lot of reasons. I saw it coming and did everything in my power to stop it."

"I'm done with the tests." Madame Pomfrey said.

"What is your prognosis?" Dumbledore asked wiping the tears from his face.

She sighed. "Several bones need to be rebroken and healed properly. Right forearm and two places on the left arm. Most of his fingers and toes have been broken repeatedly and a few shattered. He has fractures in his right ankle and knee. His jaw on the right side and his left collarbone too. Three ribs are at odd angles and are close to puncturing his lungs. I am going to remove several bones and regrow new ones. I cannot regrow his nipple so he'll have live with nothing there. The cartilage in his nose is too thick and will cause him nasal and sinus damage in the long run, I'll have to scrap the scar tissue there. He has very old muscle damage behind his right eye but it can be fixed. He has thick scar tissue in his anus and will someday cause tearing, I'll have to remove it all and place new skin and muscle there. His stomach and kidneys are weak but can be helped with potions. His liver is a bit large but not a problem. He is suffering from starvation and is too small for his age. I'm not sure what to do for that but I'll talk to some friends from Saint Mungo's. His teeth are too damage. Most of them are cracked or broken, they should be removed and I have something that will grow new teeth. I have something for the bald patches of hair as well. I have already replaced his missing blood and fixed his wrist wounds. Everything else is fine."

Professor McGonagall started crying and the headmaster held her. Snape sneered at them. "When can you start?"

She nodded with her own tears flowing down her face. "I already have. When his blood count is normal, I plan on starting with the bones and Skelo-Grow. It will be very painful but he'll be okay. I plan on starting tonight."

"He doesn't want to be pitied." Snape told her.

She nodded "I won't."

"He doesn't want to be gawked at."

"I don't have a private room." She said after a moment.

"Let's take him to my rooms; there is privacy there." He said.

She looked at the headmaster as if asking permission and he nodded. Snape scooped him up in his arms and followed Poppy out the door. She made sure that no one was in the halls before they entered them. Slowly they made their way through the school and into the dungeons eventually they made their way into his rooms, where she started giggling at his password. He laid Harry gently on the bed.

Poppy smiled at him and held Harry's hand. "He won't wake up for hours. He almost died today."

He frowned but said nothing.

"I was so scared, he was so close but he'll be okay." She said.

He sniffed. "I doubt that after all he's been though."

"No, he'll be okay." Poppy beamed at him. "I think you'll be able to help him."

"Really." Snape sneered.

"You're the only student other beside him that has been in my infirmary more times than I can tally up, if you don't count Remus Lupin." She said.

"What does that mean?"

"I mean, I know you. I've watched you grow up. You were bullied more than any student I have seen and you never complained just took it in. You didn't know how to act around people. I think that's similar to him. You turned out good, so I'm not worried. I know you can help him."

Snape blinked several times. He wasn't sure what to say but just opened his mouth and words he wasn't thinking came out. "I never meet people when I was little. It was just my mother, father, and me. I didn't know how to act and I was scared and I am ugly, a perfect target for bullies. My life is nowhere near the horrors of his own. I didn't not turn out 'good.'"

"I'll be back later." She nodded but he was sure she had only listened to the part she wanted to hear. "Right now, I am going to calm down Minerva and Albus. They both left him there you know."

He narrowed his eyes. He knew that Dumbledore was there that night but he hadn't known about McGonagall. "Make sure they don't tell anyone. Harry won't want this leaking out. If they tell the Ministry, then everyone will know and nothing we can do will stop him from ending his life."

"I understand." She said thoughtfully and left.

Snape absentmindedly stroked Harry's hair while he thought. He wondered what he should do now and if he could even help him. All of the sudden it felt so big and felt he couldn't do it. He wondered when people started caring for him. Both Poppy Pomfrey and Mr. Filch had surprised him today and he wondered if he under estimated all the people around him. Then he wondered if he had just underestimated himself.

When Madame Pomfrey returned Harry was still asleep so they waited. Neither said anything. Four hours later, he woke up. He looked at them in disbelief then turned away from them, refusing to look at them or talk. Madame Pomfrey told Harry about his injuries and what she planned to do to heal him. Snape was proud of her; there was no pity just a matter of fact response. Harry, on the other hand, just pulled the pillow over his head when she mentioned his anal damage.

"Harry, I need you to sit up so I can remove your bones. It'll be just like old times." She said but he just curled more into a fetal position. She finally had enough and had Snape pull him up right.

She told him sternly. "Sit up and let me help you or I will stun you and do it any way."

Harry nodded and had a glazed over look in his eyes. Snape knew that look would be there for some time. He was trying to be brave for him but ended up stiffening at her sternness and the memories of his own childhood with the school nurse.

He didn't move or even blink during the entire time that she carefully removed his bones. Nor did he grimace at the horrible taste of Skelo-Grow.

They both watched him carefully but he just curled up again and pretended to fall back asleep with his empty fleshy arms and legs.

"What did the headmaster and his head of house say?" He asked her and almost smiled at the sight of Harry's head rising a bit to hear better.

SHe looked confused but then noticed where Snape was looking. She said with a small smile of her own. "After I calmed them down, I had to talk them out of contacting the Ministry but that was mostly Minerva. I made them promise not to tell anyone and I don't think they will."

"What makes you say that?" He asked.

She smiled. "That they won't tell anyone?"

"No," He barked. "Why Minerva McGonagall is attracted to plaid."

"I've always wondered about that myself." She said absentmindly.

"Poppy!" He snarled so he wouldn't laugh. He wondered if she was taking lessons from Dumbledore.

She giggled. "Blackmail, plain and simple."

"Really. What did you blackmail them with?" He wondered. Personally, he didn't think she was blackmailing them; she didn't have it in her. They had probably just talked about it over and they were shown Harry's point of view, whether Minerva liked it or not.

"Fine. There was no blackmail but I just explained his best interest and they both care more about Harry then following the Ministry." She said.

They both watched Harry closely but he didn't move a muscle even after their hard work on getting him to laugh or just react.

She sighed and conjured up a chair for herself. "I'll be staying here the next few days maybe the week so I can heal Harry. I have friend coming from Saint Mungo's to watch over the rest of the school. If anyone asks I'm on a leave for personal reasons."

He nodded. "What will the school be told about Harry's disappearance."

"It will be announced tomorrow during breakfast that he had to return to his aunt's house due to a family illness. Personally, I don't think it should be announced at all but it will be because he is a school champion and we have Rita Sketter parked out on our stoop. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have been sworn to secrecy about Harry being brought in the infirmary."

He looked at her very seriously. "What does the headmaster have planned for Harry?"

"That he wants to talk to you about. He had tea waiting for you and I think I should warn you Minerva is there. I don't see why you can't get along with each other." She sighed.

"Because she's an old cow." He pointed out.

She rolled her eyes. "She says it's because you're a greasy git."

He frowned. "Very funny, like I haven't heard that since I've been eleven."

She smiled. "I wonder if she's been saying that since you were eleven."

"Well, I have been saying the old cow part for that long." He smirked. He had never really talked to Poppy Pomfrey for this long and he found himself enjoying it. He wondered if that was going to keep him up at night.

She asked him. "What are your plans for Harry?"

"How do you know I have a plan?" He said.

"You always plan." She grinned cheekily.

"Well," He stretched, "I do but I wanted to talk it over with Harry but since he's being unresponsive, I'll just have assume he's best interest."

"Are you going to do... no, I don't want to know. In fact, I don't even want to think about it. It's going to be sneaky and scary and crawl right up everyone's nose." She moaned with amusement.

"Of course. I'll return later. Have a good evening." He nodded at her and touched Harry's hand but he flinched and curled away.

As he walked to the headmaster's office, he thought about the conversation he just had with Madame Pomfrey, most of it had been for Harry's reassurance but he wasn't sure they had got inside the boy's mind. He wondered if he lost the trust that he had in him because he did do what the unthinkable. He had told. He hoped he could repair any damage to their relationship and then scoffed at his fear that he couldn't help and that Harry would hate him. He wasn't that emotional.