Chapter 8: With Summer

Harry had followed Snape down to his office, where the man checked up on his remaining injuries, and told him a bit about what was going on in the school.

He told Harry a bit more about Malfoy Sr. And warned him not to be too combative or outwardly suspicious of the man.

The boy had understood, and while he knew that walking away from the man would leave him open to an attack, he also had faith in his reaction times, and if the man had tried, Harry could have brought it up to the Headmaster or someone who could help him.

Snape nodded at that, but the boy hadn't realized that the blond could have tried to either go straight for the kill, or to alter his memories.

Eyes widening, Harry felt sick. He could have risked so much and gotten nothing in return for his gamble, had his mentor not shown up. He really couldn't muster up any other words after that revelation, and instead asked to go lay down.

Severus cut the boy some slack and sent him back to his common room, wishing he could walk the boy back safely. Instead he simply saw the unsteady boy out of his office, then sat down with a stiff drink.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

At the very last chance during his second year, Harry found himself knocking on the door of his Potions Master's office.

He had been in a rush from the Headmasters tower, and his first instinct was not to find his friends, or Head of House, but his Mentor. He needed someone to talk to, and the situation was much too serious for how the Headmaster had tried to explain it.

He needed help, he needed out of the Dursley's line of sight, and from their constant abuse.

Oh he knew now, that it wasn't simply neglect. Neglect had been him not being allowed his own room though one was vacant. Neglect was being ignored, or getting cuffed in the back of the head too hard for things he'd actually done.

Abuse, was being worked like a slave, fed like a pet on a heavy diet, watered as rarely as a cactus... Abuse was being pushed around, punished, and beaten on for simply existing, and using every opportunity to cut him down even further. Abuse was never knowing a comforting touch until he was 12. Not knowing a loving word or compliment until he was away from the negativity they kept forcing onto him.

Abuse was all he'd known and it was a harsh pill for the boy to swallow. He couldn't even bring himself to speak about it to the Headmaster, only asking over and again that he stay in the castle for the summer, or be taken from them entirely.

While Harry waited for his mentor to let him in, he sniffled. He couldn't even tell the Headmaster, what if he couldn't tell Snape either? What if the man tells him what the Headmaster did? That he was there because of the safety he got from his mothers blood?

Blood that he had shed and cleaned from nearly every surface of that forsaken house.

A silent tear tracked down his face, and Harry rubbed it away. He really was glad to have been alone in the halls, but his thoughts had taken him for a ride and he needed to stop. He raised his fist to knock again, but the door was suddenly wrenched open by a fuming Potions Master.

The man was so angry that someone had knocked on his door, then ignored his call to enter. Had they left, or if they were still there? How would they react to the anger he would take out on them? He had not had the chance to speak with Harry for too long. He did not know how the boy was coping with the ordeal in the Chamber. He had no idea if the boy was even coping with it or bottling it all up inside.

Lily's treasure was his to protect, his to keep happy and safe, and how could he do that, when he was constantly being sidetracked?!

However before he could take a bite out of the poor soul at his door, he saw just which poor soul it was. Harry had been trying to hold back his tears, and his face had become splotchy and red, but he still saw past the fat tears hugging his lashes at the man.

"Professor?" He asked, a bit wobbly.

"Potter get in before you flood the halls. I do not think all snakes can swim." It was said as a small distraction, a simple joke that would allow Harry to calm himself a bit until they could talk.

It worked, though it was not to last, as the laugh turned into a wet sob that had him pulling the boy into the office and a warm hug.

This was the first time he had hugged the boy, and he wondered if it was actually helping the little lion.

Harry felt the warmth of his mentor, and let the flood gates open. He couldn't speak, and when he tried all that came out was gurgled words about not being safe. He didn't know why he told the man this, as his first thoughts had been to apologize and pull back.

Instead he pulled the mans robes closer, rubbing his face over the fabric as he tried to get closer to the new form of comfort. His eyes were closed shut, and his glasses were digging into his nose uncomfortably, but he felt safe for once.

Hermione's hugs were warm and felt like a sibling, but this was different and he didn't know why. Honestly it didn't even matter why, because he was here and he had to tell the man why he was crying so hard. He didn't want Snape to think him any more of a child than he already was.

"Harry..." His name was whispered, and the fabric rustled around him as he was fully enveloped in a tight hug from his mentor.

Severus cast his normal privacy spells on the door, and awkwardly led the boy all the way into the room.

He let the boy hug him for as long as he needed, and only loosened his own hold when those thin shoulders stopped shaking. The older wizard pulled back fully when the tears littering his upper stomach started to get cold rather than the constant warmth that spread across his teaching robes.

"Why are you unsafe?" He asked softly, smoothing down the boys soft nest of hair.

"They're gonna try to kill me. I know it. They hate me Sir!" Harry replied. He tried to calm down a bit more, instead of just blurting it all out.

He gulped down his nerves and took a breath. Backing away from the unnaturally warm Professor he gave a full explanation. "My relatives are muggles." He looked up into the dark eyes to see if the man was following.

"They really don't like magic. And my aunt and uncle really don't like me. And my cousin was worse because we used to go to the same school... they really really don't like me and I know I'm not safe there." There he said part of it.

He couldn't bring himself to say the full story right now, all of the Gryffindor courage he was supposed to have faded away like fog. Instead he clutched at his upper arms, poorly hiding the fact that he felt so small and insignificant.

Snape relaxed his stance even further, and after making Harry sit, he called a house elf for some hot chocolate.

Harry didn't seem like he would need it, but Severus would still add a few drops of a calming draught to further help the boy unfurl from his protective stance. The two sat in a soft silence while waiting for their drinks to cool down.

Harry was nearly in tears again. He knew that Snape wouldn't care if he cried, but he wasn't really sure why he was still crying so much.

Finally the mugs of hot cocoa cooled enough, and Snape took his own seat, passing the sweet drink to his student. "Take a moment before you say anything else. I need to know exactly what is going on before we can take this to the Headmaster."

This was not the best statement to make, as Harry started to feel his anxiety build back up. He shook his head, trying to get his point across without spilling anything.

He drank a few fortifying gulps, before feeling the heat of the chocolaty milk sooth his body. The mug was almost too big for him to hold with both hands, and he focused on that. From there he took another deep breath before putting his mug down on the table in front of him.

"As far back as I can remember my relatives have wanted me gone. If I wasn't useful to them for doing chores, then I was useful as a target." Snape took in a sharp breath, his eyes narrowing at the further confirmed implications the boy had laid out.

He didn't believe that Harry could have exaggerated how he felt, or what he felt was the truth to that extent. But how badly had he been treated to make him believe that he would be killed by his relatives. It wasn't a long shot at all, as families broke down and sometimes that was the outcome, but was he truly abused even in infancy?

Harry nodded, almost to himself as he continued, "They didn't care about me and they still don't. They've tried to ignore me and my magic, to beat it out of me, and even make me hate myself for it. They call me freak, or boy... for a long time I didn't know my name was Harry."

The boy carried on explaining, talking about how he was the leftovers, the muck at the bottom of a dumpster to them. How he had remembered being treated, how it had gotten worse, and how he felt emotionally during his time with his relatives. He had spoken for about an hour, and while Severus truly believed his treasure, he needed definitive proof.

"Look at me, Harry. There is magic that will let me see what you cannot speak about. Can I use it to see your memories?" The man asked, holding Harry's chin between his thumb and forefinger. Once the boy nodded and was looking into his eyes, he used legilimency and their bond to gently bring forth and see the memories in question.

He pulled back only a minute or so later and wanted to fly off to Surrey and skin those muggles, but he had also seen the headmasters reaction earlier through the boys mind. He knew he would have to make the Headmaster see his follies before he could kill them.

Keeping his hand on Harry's face, he offered a bit of physical comfort to the small preteen.

"While I do not agree with the headmasters reasoning, you do have to go back--"

Harry tried to pull back, scared that his previous summers thoughts would come true. Snape would laugh now and say he deserved it wouldn't he?

"Harry, no. You did not deserve that treatment, no one does. You are not a freak. Your relatives are for using a child as a physical outlet for their anger and hatred. Now let me finish." It was soft, his command, but Harry still found himself listening to it.

"You will have to go back, but you will not stay under their 'care' for very long. Had you come to me or someone else earlier, I may have had time to get you a viable alternative to live. As it stands now I can place a spell on you that will turn whatever pain they try to inflict back onto themselves."

A look of pure awe took over Harry's face. He hadn't known a spell like that existed.

"Yes, Harry," The man smirked with a dark vengeful glint in his eye, "We can make them hurt this summer. As I cannot do what I wish to them, and you cannot leave for what I believe may be the first month our so."

He let his hand fall from the boys face, instead sitting back comfortably in his seat.

"The spell will last as long as I do not perform the counter spell, however it will need to be taken down in the first week into the new term. This is only because you are safer here than there, and if the Headmaster found out of your immunity... He could demand I release you of the spell, or cast it on others who are not entirely on our side. It is high level magic, something that you will need fairly often with how many times you've given me grey hairs. So if nothing else, you will get some satisfaction."

"What does it do? Because if Uncle Vernon uses a knife again, will I still bleed?" He said with all seriousness. Snape already saw his whole life through memories, and if he could still stand to look at Harry, then the boy would try to speak about it like he thought an adult would. That did not however stop him from smiling when he realized his Professor was joking with him towards the end. He was sure he'd given the man some grey hairs, and it's barely been two years since he started school!

The question was both valid and sobering for Severus, and he explained. "It will form a shield around your body, like a thick second skin. It will tickle a bit when someone tries to harm you, but you will still be subject to gravity. If you are pushed down the stairs, you will not be in pain, but if you fall on your own, you will feel a fraction of the pain. It is defensive magic used against certain creatures, like dragons." The man smiled at the irony. A dragon shifter using the spells made to combat against their kind.

He stood and bade Harry to finish his drink so he could cast the spell. Harry had to get some sleep before leaving for the summer, and Severus needed a word with their esteemed Headmaster.

With an almost destructive speed, Harry finished the last of his drink, further calmed by what he thought was the chocolate flavor. Standing he opened his arms and nodded, ready for whatever feeling would accompany the spell.

"Dolor Draconum!" The man whispered as the spell was cast. Once it was said, a deep purple light went straight towards Harry's forehead, and slowly encompassed his entire body.

Harry felt a cool feeling wash over him, before his body became warm once again, and all he could do was gasp at the odd sensation.

"Now, go back to your dorm and sleep. The spell will settle within your natural patterns and movements. You will not notice it unless you are targeted by any malicious intent. I will deal with the Headmaster, and see if we can relocate you, even if only for the last few weeks of the break. They will feel your pain, your hunger... they will truly suffer in your place, and learn never to mess with a wizard."

Harry bobbed his head happily, leaving the mans office with a light hearted laugh and thank you. The summer would not be an easy one, not at all, but Harry knew he would at least get to have a good laugh.

HPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry's summer had actually started off wonderfully for a change. His cousin had lost a tooth after trying to smash his face into the table, slight hunger pains, and almost had a heat stroke after locking Harry outside for several hours. His aunt had been complaining nonstop about hunger after only two days, eating more and more everyday. She also spoke of her joints hurting, as she'd had Harry kneeling to clean the algae and muck from the stone steps outside.

His uncle had the worst of it though, a twisted ankle, bruised ribs, a concussion, hunger pains, even a black eye, and a bloody nose. Harry hadn't expected to love this so much, he wouldn't wish this on most people but his relatives were a special case. He didn't want them permanently hurt, he just wanted them to realize that the things they've done could easily be done back to them.

In the end, he had had mercy on them, and when they demanded to know what he had done to them, he simply said they'd done it to themselves, and to keep their hands and actions to themselves or it would only get worse.

Plus, even with it being the absolute, pure truth, Harry didn't mind that it sounded a bit like a threat.

The treatment ramped up until the trio caught on, and slowly they changed. Petunia let him eat, and cut down on his chores, and the other two stopped beating on him. They still hated him, but they couldn't physically harm him unless they wanted to experience it, and it was too painful for them.

"Can you really not handle it?" Harry scoffed, he narrowed his eyes like his mentor so often does. He wanted them to be scared, even if it was only for one summer.

"Oh woe is you to live through the pain you inflicted on me for years, for less than a week. You are truly so weak to only end your abuse when it is being directed back at you? I would say I pity you all, but I would hate to let you live with a lie." He smiled before turning around.

As he headed out of the livingroom, where he had just finished cleaning, he spoke up once again.

"Aunt Petunia. Water does wonders for hunger pains... that is if you have access to it. And Uncle Vernon perhaps if you make a splint for your ankle it will heal faster. Quite easy to make one when you aren't allowed a hospital visit, hmm? And Dudders?" He teased.

"You should try my diet. Ask your mother, as she knows that four days without food can do wonders for your weight." Here he finally left the seething group, Petunia had actually gained weight contrary to Harry's words, but because she felt his hunger alongside him, and was unused to it, she had eaten much more than normal.

She no longer looked as skinny as she once had, though her new weight was distributed unevenly, leaving her angry about her new figure.

Once he was in his room, and his giggles had subsided, Harry got to finish his summer work. Plus he read up on his past subjects and gained a better understanding now that everything was calm. He could go outside and not be locked out or have rocks thrown at him too. He sent a letter off with Hedwig to discreetly deliver to the Potions Professor, detailing his summer so far.

With her as well were two other letters, one for Ron and the other for Hermione. He kept the details faint, only saying that he might be able to leave the house for the last bit of summer. He told them why, and then conveniently stated that a professor had helped him a lot, but did not tell who it was.

After another day passed in relative silence Harry went down to grab a snack. Smiling at Dudley as he took a pack of biscuits up to the room.

He knew he shouldn't taunt them, because if he had to come back next year without the spell? He would surely be in for a lot of retribution, but he had hope that he wouldn't be left to that. And who was to say that his relatives would even get close to him next summer if he did come back unprotected?

The Dursley's couldn't even tell because he had lied a bit and said that if they even spoke to anyone else about him it would come back against them too. The three were already petrified of being in the same room as him, and didn't even want to try him.

The family was truly reminded that summer that a wizard could be dangerous if pushed far enough.

Soon it was Harry's birthday, and while he was getting much more to eat than in past years, he wasn't getting any positive attention. Which included the acknowledgment of his existence. So when a house elf popped into Dudley's second room, he jumped.

He hadn't been prepared for the loud elf to show up, singing praises about his Harry Potter and how he wished him a happy birthday.

The boy had only a moment to wonder about how the elf knew, before he was inundated with a large cake and magic flying around his room, fixingthe state of his things.

"Now Dobby must leave, but happy birthday Master Harry Potter Sir!"

"Oh!... erm... Thanks Dobby, but please just call me--" He tried to say, before he was cut off by the elf being thrown away from the door, which was slammed open by his uncle.

"Potter! Get down and make breakfast! We may not be able to wring your little neck, but you will still work for your place here!!" His uncle's face was red with suppressed rage, but before Harry could even say anything the man saw Dobby.

"What is that thing?! Get your freaky little friend out of here!" He said, the threat clear in his eyes.

Dobby looked wide eyed at Harry, but when the boy nodded, the elf finally popped away with a snap.

Harry stood up, and was prepared for the hit here knew was coming, but when it didn't, he realized he still had the protection of his mentor. Harry smiled and made his way down to the kitchen. He wouldn't get the chance to shower or change out of his new night clothes until later.

The Dursley's had been angry at that too, knowing that he had gotten new clothes. They thought he didn't deserve it, but when they tried to rip or burn them, nothing happened.

Harry knew he owed that fact to the seamstress, Madam Malkin, who had made him a new full wardrobe the year before, complete with protection charms.

Shaking his head of his thoughts, Harry thought about when he would be able to leave the house.

He wanted out.