Ch 3 He's okay… For Now.
After Severus told the Headmaster what had occurred that night the two men went together to the infirmary.
"How is he Poppy?" the Headmaster asked the Matron as Severus gazed down at the boy a look of sadness haunting his features.
"He's okay… for now. Albus I have found extensive damage. The bleach was a deadly dose I am afraid, well its more like a possibility that it may have hurt his brain functions. He is in a sort of coma now. I also found other injuries. Older and for the most part healed. For instance his wrist was broken not newly but perhaps for over a month. I fixed it right but it was hard as the broken bone had fused to the others. Also he has skin injuries to his hands and arms. From being burned possibly by scorching water and if my guess is correct a small amount or either acid or bleach. It burned his skin on the first three layers. I have a salve for it but it might be painful. Also there was other injuries done tonight. He was beaten, his ribs were broken and bruised he had a slight concussion and he had a cut deep enough to be a stab wound. I would have said from a thin knife but it is possible it was a mail opener.There are also scars from what may have been a razor cutting lines into his lower back." the matron said sadly. Albus looked crushed and Severus felt a anger so deep rise up in him that he wanted to kill someone. He began to walk toward the door muttering that he would kill them. The Headmaster grabbed him and held him fast.
"You can not Severus. The boy is safe here he will not return to his relatives. You must promise you will not return there again Severus." Dumbledore said to the younger man.
"They deserve it Albus. I will bring the boy justice" he said his voice slightly hoarse.
"You mustn't Severus they will be dealed with in time" Dumbledore said. The young mans shoulders slumped slightly and Albus released him. He sunk into the nearest chair his hands in his face.
"I feel so terrible Albus. I should have acted sooner. This wouldn't have happened if I would have acted sooner." he said.
"It is my fault Severus I should have heeded your warnings to me. I regret that now" the older man said sadly. Severus stood that way for a long time. When the headmaster left and the matron had gone to bed Severus wandered into the seat beside the small child. His face was pale and troubled as he slept. A look that should not be familiar on a child so young clouded his small features. Severus was strangely reminded of himself. As a child he was never shown love or compassion, it was what had brought him to the Dark Lord or at least that's what Dumbledore had concluded. The other reason was the father of the child now in front of him. Severus sighed and wondered what would happen to this boy. How would he be raised now that he couldn't return to his aunt and uncle. He fell asleep pondering all these questions. That night he dreamt that he had taken the boy in himself. He had always wanted a son. Someone he would read to at night someone he could teach to play Quiditch and brew potions with. Someone he could raise differently then the way he was raised. It was something he had seen in the mirror of Erised many times. Himself with a family. He knew it was to late now for him to marry and have children of his own. He had seen to much death and destruction, caused to many horrible things that could never be reversed. Perhaps just a child old enough to understand, an orphan that had to deal with things beyond his years. Harry Potter seemed the perfect solution. Maybe they could bring happiness to each other.
The next morning Severus awoke with a start as he remembered his dreams. He sat up in the hospital wing chair and looked around. No one was around. He glanced down at the child who seemed to still be asleep. Madame Pomfrey came in then and Severus asked how he was.
"He is still unresponsive. I am trying everything to save his mind. His health is stable enough right now but I fear he will have extensive brain damage" the nurse said tears springing to her eyes as she began to feed the boy a violent blue potion that Severus recognized as a memory preserver potion.
"Perhaps it is better if he just forgets" Severus said quietly before leaving the wing and returning down to his dungeons. He dressed himself slowly after having a shower. He desperately needed to clear his head. As he did his resolve became stronger. He walked up to the Headmasters office. When he was admitted Dumbledore sat behind his desk staring at the letter in his hands. He managed a smile at Severus who sat down across from him.
"Have you found anyone" Severus asked tensely.
"No none that I deem trustworthy enough. I thought perhaps Remus Lupin but he has enough to deal with now." Dumbledore said cradling his head between his old, wizened hands.
"How about me?" Severus said barely over a whisper. It took a second for Dumbledore to absorb what Severus had said, but when he did his head shot up and he searched the younger mans face.
"You are willing to take care of the son of James Potter?" He asked his tone neutral.
"I think so" said Severus said his voice still low, but he willed the headmaster to believe him.
"Why?" the man asked. Severus pondered for a minute before answering.
"I see myself in the child's eyes and I want to change what he will most likely be going through while growing up. I think you are the only Person who doesn't look at me with disappointment Albus. I also think this may be an opportunity to show everyone that perhaps I do have a heart somewhere inside" he finished with a slight smile. Dumbledore was beaming.
"This is excellent my boy. You will of course continue to teach?" he asked.
"If it is possible yes" Severus said not having given it much thought.
"Of course it would be delightful to have a toddler running about the castle." Dumbledore said his eyes glazing over in a day dream. His eyes suddenly darkened.
"What if the boy is not the same mentally Severus. Will you still accept him?" Dumbledore asked gravely.
"Yes as if he was my own. I want this chance Albus regardless of his problems I will treat him as my son." Severus said. A light began to shine deep within his cold black eyes. He suddenly seemed younger. Like a teenager fresh out of Hogwarts with his whole future ahead of him.
"That is very brave of you Severus. If I didn't know better I would say you were a Gryffindor" Albus said his eyes beaming. Severus glared at the older wizard as if he had just been insulted. " I will began making arrangements for it now. Why don't you begin preparations as well Severus. You have a lot of rearranging to do now that you have a child." the Headmaster said his eyes twinkling and a smile that made him look younger. Severus felt himself smiling slightly back as he left the headmasters office. Indeed he had to accommodate his chambers for another person. A smaller person. A smile played around his face. He had a child. If anyone had seen him that moment they would wonder who had took over the brooding potions masters body.
/Another chapter tell me if you like it. TTFN
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