-1Harry opened his eyes to find the professor asleep on a chair next to the hospital bed. He remembered how he had acted last night and felt his face heat up with shame. He had never let anyone see his pain before and wasn't sure how the professor would react to the embarrassing outburst he had in front of him.
He thought about his dreams from last night and knew they were coming from his mum. He had the distinct feeling that she was trying to tell him to trust Snape. He didn't know if he would ever be able to look that man in the face again after last night though. Why had he done it, why had he let himself cry in front of Snape?
Now the professor had the power to crush him at any moment. All it would take would be a simple word referring to that embarrassing moment. He gripped onto the blanket until his knuckles turned white as shame washed through him once again.
He was startled out of his thoughts when Snape spoke up.
"Potter, are you in pain?" Severus noticed the way the boy was clutching the covers and assumed he was suffering.
Harry shook his head before looking down at his hands. He rubbed a thumb along the small burn mark in his hand and remembered Uncle Vernon's punishment.
Snape raised his hand to check the boy for fever when the traumatized teen reared back as if he would strike him.
"Potter, I am not here to hurt you. Calm down and get a grip boy. Stop looking at me as if I was the Dark Lord."
Harry looked away again, totally ashamed of his behavior.
"Potter look at me when I'm speaking to you. You've no reason to be ashamed of the predicament you are in."
"You don't have to stay with me all the time anymore, you know," Harry said in a near whisper, "I understand if you want to leave. Its pretty depressing around here and I know I'm a pain in the ass."
Snape grabbed Harry's chin firmly and turned his face so they were eye to eye. The boy looked uneasy and Snape loosened his grip a little. Gone was the cocky Gryffindor and in his place a child so deeply damaged by events not of his own making.
"I am here of my own volition. Furthermore, I expect you to abide by the instructions I allocate."
"Yes sir," Harry whispered and tried to pull away. Snape tightened his grip again and looked the boy in the eyes. He needed Potter to understand.
"Mr. Potter, you are not at fault for anyone's death. You are a fifteen year old boy and have been living under circumstances that a full grown man would not be able to take. We need to get you away from all this and let you heal, both mentally and physically. Do you understand?"
Snape thought of Snape Manor and the rolling hills surrounding it. Even though he had not been back there for several years, he felt it would be a quiet place for the boy to recover.
Harry didn't respond. He already felt guilty enough for taking up so much of the professor's time. Why was the professor here anyway? The man was almost acting as if he cared, but that couldn't be true. That dream with his mum in it nagged at Harry's mind. Trusting Snape wouldn't be easy, especially due to their past experiences together. But maybe his mum knew best, he had to trust somebody didn't he?
Snape let go of Harry's chin and saw the deep red mark he had made on it. He would really have to get himself under control. Too many years of harsh contact with others made him wary of touching the boy again.
Snape pulled out a worn book and asked Potter if he would like to be read to. Harry nodded as thoughts of his mum came to the forefront. A long forgotten memory of being read to as a small child flashed through his memory.
"This story is about a vampire that I once knew. The Muggles have changed the facts a bit but there are still some exceptional elements."
Harry lay his head back against the pillows and closed his tired eyes. He really did feel safe right now, and he didn't care if it was due to Snape. He would try his very hardest not do anything that would ruin this. Something had happened to Snape, he was almost human. Harry lost his train of thought as he listened to the deep silky voice of his new guardian.
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Later that day Dumbledore came to visit with a lovely box of magical cookies from Dobby. Whatever flavor you were thinking of, the cookie would become.
Harry reached into the box and started thinking of peanut butter. He could smell the warm peanut butter as he brought the blue cookie to his mouth.
"Mmm these are great!" Harry said, as he slowly chewed the moist cookie. He offered some to Snape and Dumbledore but they were just enjoying watching him eat them.
"Professor, if there are any errands you wish to run I will be happy to stay with Harry?" offered the Headmaster with a hint of amusement over the Potion Master's sudden protective nature of the boy. He had been shocked when he realized that Severus had never left the boy's side during this past week, except to shower and change. He was delighted with this knew arrangement.
"Well, now that you mention it," said Snape "I did want to take a look at Snape Manor and make sure my house elves are ready for us. I want to add some spells to the house to keep the... unwanted out."
"Very good, very good, take your time Severus."
Severus stood up and looked at Harry. Harry didn't seem to mind as he was so enjoying those cookies. Snape felt a little stab of concern at leaving the hospital.
"Mr. Potter, that is the last one," Snape commanded, "I will return as soon as possible."
He reached out and placed a hand on the boy's arm then turned to leave. He caught the small smile on Dumbledore's face and scowled at him.
Harry had so many questions for the Headmaster about Hedwig and what the Aurors were doing to find her. He wanted the Order to make Uncle Vernon tell them where Hedwig was. But at this point the ministry would not allow any interaction with the Muggle family.
Dumbledore's heart was filled with such sorrow for this child. He knew how much the snowy owl meant to the boy. After this past year, he felt a strong desire to do everything he possibly could to make life easier for Harry. It was clear the boy was suffering greatly from the events of this past year.
Just then the door to the hospital room opened and in walked Minister Fudge, Percy Weasley and two men that they had never met before. Dumbledore rose from his chair to face them.
"What do we owe the honor of this visit to?" Dumbledore already had a pretty good idea it was due to Harry's custody issues.
"Hello, hello Professor Dumbledore and a good day to you Mr. Potter." The Minister said with his usual decorum. "We have come to take a statement from young Mister Potter regarding the recent events with his relatives."
The last thing Harry wanted to do was talk about the Dursleys and he knew that telling the truth would further endanger Hedwig. He looked at Percy standing next to the minister with a quill and note pad in hand. The minister was introducing Sir Henry Stanton and The Head of Child Wizarding services, Mister Arnold Ketchum to Professor Dumbledore when Percy came over to Harry's bedside.
Percy whispered, "Ron and my Mum say hi. They are really concerned about you."
"Erm, tell them I'm fine and I'll owl them as soon as I can, okay?" Harry really missed his friend but didn't want Ron to see him in this condition. He didn't even want to think about what Hermione would say.
Just then everyone turned to face Harry. Harry sank back into his pillows and wished he was anywhere else.
"So, Mr. Potter we need to hear your account of what happened at Privet Dr.. Mr. Ketchum will be in charge of this case and Sir Stanton will be helping as well. You already know Mr. Weasley, he will be keeping records for us. Let's begin on the day the alleged abuse took place." Minister Fudge took his hat off and sat in the chair Dumbledore had just rose from.
Harry was at a loss for words. He hadn't even had time to think about those awful days and he most certainly was not going to put Hedwig's life at risk. The men watched Harry closely, waiting for him to speak.
"Um, I really don't feel so good right now, do you think we could do this another day?" Harry hoped this tactic worked.
"Mr. Potter we saw the pictures of your condition and need to hear from your own mouth how this occurred," said the short, portly Mr. Ketchum. He held up a pile of pictures, the top one being the burn mark in Harry's hand. "Now Harry just relax and tell us how this came about," he continued in a warm tone.
Harry glanced at the Professor before saying, "I fell down the stairs."
The men all looked at one another and Percy stopped writing. Professor Dumbledore's expression was one of surprise and shock. Harry hated lying but hated telling about the real events even more.
"Now Mr. Potter, there is no need to make up stories to protect your family. They will still get to tell their side too. Let's begin again and think about the first time you were struck," said Mr. Ketchum.
"I-I fell down the stairs, that's all," Harry said in a soft voice. He rubbed the small blister on the inside of his hand without thinking.
Professor Dumbledore walked over to Harry's bedside and put a hand on the boy's shoulder, giving him a little squeeze. "It's okay Harry, these men are here to help."
Harry really didn't trust Dumbledore anymore after what he kept from him last school year and most especially did not think Dumbledore would let him go back to save Hedwig.
"I-I am telling the truth. I fell. My head is starting to hurt again. Could I just go to sleep?"
Percy spoke up, "Harry those bruises don't look like a fall. If you don't tell the truth you will have to go back to the Dursleys."
Dumbledore quickly interjected, "I will not have Mr. Potter spend one more day with the Dursley's. He is now in Professor Snape's care and will remain so."
Percy looked uncomfortable but looked towards the Minister for confirmation.
Minister Fudge shifted in his seat and cleared his throat before saying, "Now Harry, it's very important that you tell the truth. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir. I fell and I really don't wish to talk about it anymore." Harry turned his head towards the wall and closed his eyes. Why can't these people just leave me alone?
For the first time Sir Stanton spoke up, "If the boy says he fell then we really have no right to waste anymore time with this case." He picked up his briefcase and headed for the door.
The Minister quickly rose and gave Dumbledore a nod then followed Sir Stanton, with Percy and Mr. Ketchum in tow.
Harry continued to face the wall and kept his eyes closed. He could feel Professor Dumbledore's eyes watching him. Then he felt a hand rest upon his arm and give a little squeeze.
"You know Harry, if I had known what was happening I never would have left you there." Dumbledore said in a soft voice.
Harry didn't want to hear Dumbledore's pathetic attempt at an excuse. It was too late anyway. All trust in the Headmaster vanished long ago.
Suddenly the small nurse ran into the hospital room. "Excuse me Professor, the Minister wishes to speak to you. They are waiting in the lobby on the ground floor."
"Oh my," said the Headmaster, "What in heaven's name do they want now." He rolled his eyes and walked swiftly out the door.
Harry was feeling tired and couldn't get the image of his Uncle burning his hand out of his mind. His mind was a jumble of confusion.
Suddenly he heard a loud racket coming from the hall. The doors to his room swung open and a handful of reporters ran in. Cameras were flashing and people were jostling to get closer to him, all the while yelling out questions.
"So is it true, did you really get abused by your family?"
"How come you didn't hex them into oblivion?"
"Who are you staying with now?"
The questions kept coming, all the while Harry was being pulled on and yelled at to look at the cameras. Harry couldn't move, he was stunned. A hand reached out and pulled his hair so he would face in the other direction for a picture. His mind went back to the times when Uncle Vernon had pulled his hair and then the beatings would begin. He didn't know how to make them stop and panic filled him.
The small nurse ran in and began yelling for everyone to get out but no one listened. The obnoxious cameraman grabbed Harry's hair again and yanked his head around. Harry totally lost it and started pushing everyone away, shaking uncontrollably, looking for Snape. Why was he alone again, he couldn't remember. He began sweating and his head throbbed with pain.
The fever spiked with the stress Harry was under. Before the nurse could deal with it Harry lost consciousness.
The next sound came from the door as there was a blast and then a loud voice yelling, "Get out now!"
All eyes went to the menacing wizard and suddenly there was a rush to get out. The photographer who had pulled Harry's hair made a wide circle around Snape and looked extremely nervous.
Severus came rushing to Harry's side and a low moan escaped his mouth as he looked down at his young charge.
Harry was shaking uncontrollably. Snape placed a hand on his forehead and was shocked at how hot he was. Could this child never catch a break? Who told the reporters and why wasn't anyone watching Harry?
He looked around quickly and realized Dumbledore was no where in sight. Damn it! He thought he had left Harry in responsible hands. He was so angry at himself for leaving but even more angry at Dumbledore for leaving Harry alone.
Dumbledore came rushing into the room with an angry scowl on his face.
"They want to send him back!" the Headmaster yelled at Severus.
"What the hell are you talking about! Why weren't you here to protect Potter? Look at him!" yelled Snape.
"Are you listening to me Severus? They want him to go back to the Muggles. They think he's safer there ...then with you. They want the Wizard Child Protective Services to take over from here. Someone in the ministry is pulling strings to get him sent back Severus. Someone wants Harry dead," roared a usually composed Dumbledore.
"I-I don't believe it, they can't do that. Didn't they see the report on Potter's condition when we found him? Didn't they see the pictures?" questioned Severus.
The small nurse ran out of the room and then ran back in and yelled, "Hurry they're coming! Take him, take him out of here! I see the way you are with him," she said to Severus, " I know he will be well cared for! Go, go out the back, NOW!"
They didn't wait to be told again. Severus scooped Harry up and Dumbledore held the side door open. They ran for the staircase and out into the bright day. Within moments they apparated to Snape Manor.
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