Chapter Two- The Tell, Tell Heart

Harry stood stun in his spot. Three more people that he would have to show his battered body to.

"Professor. No please do not let them come." Harry broke down into tears as the other three wizards came through the fire. Minerva walked right over to Harry to give him a comforting hug, but the boy backed away, it would hurt more. He sighed and took off his shirt.

It was painful to say the least. His under shirt was soaked with blood from the reopened wounds. His chest had four bruises on the left side and one on the right, Harry ran before he could get more. There was the gash, from the side of a table that Harry was pushed into, right above his jeans. But the worst was when he turned around.

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Severus took in all the damage. He wanted to hold Harry and take all the pain away. Who could do this to a child, a boy of thirteen? Severus' knees buckled when he say Harry's back. Half had been sloppily healed and the other were open and bleeding a bit. No one moved, no one made a sound. All were in shock. Harry was first to make a noise. He fell to his knees, crying and retching. Severus jumped up and ran to Harry. He held the boy, watchful of his sores.

"Harry, who did this?" All looked at Albus. No one had ever seen the headmaster with murder in his eyes.

Harry sobbed harder, "U…u…uncle Vernnnnon." He said at last. Harry buried his face in Severus' robe. "I was bad."

"Harry no one is this bad." Severus said.

"I broke three dishes of fine china. Aunt Petunia said I need to be punished." Harry clutched Severus tighter, he was remembering. "I asked them to stop, it was too painful. But the whip just keep coming down. Then he pushed me into the dresser." Harry touched his gash. "And I fell, Dudley kicked my arm. But Aunt Petunia said her and Dudley would be going out." Harry jumped and ran to a corner, a place were he felt safe. "I told them to give me more lashings. I begged for them not to go." The tears had stopped by now. Harry was just starring into space. "I heard the front door close and then I tried to run, but he caught me and took me to my room. He tied me down, face down." Severus gasped, he knew what was coming. "Then he entered me." Harry screamed, he was reliving the time. "Please Uncle, I will be good. Stop, stop, please. NO!" Severus reached him as he fainted.

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"I am going to kill that no good piece of shit." Severus said as he clutched the fainted boy. Minerva sat down, shakily. Poppy ran to Harry and took the boy from Severus to start healing.

"Do you have any healing balm?" She asked.

"Yes." Severus pointed to one of his many shelves.

"The family that I thought would keep him safe." Albus said.

"We I guess you were wrong." Severus shot back. He looked at the helpless figure of Harry. The boy moaned in this fainted state.

"Please, Severus, save me. He's got the iron!" Harry jumped and woke. He looked around, before curling up into a ball.

"What iron, Harry?" Severus asked. The Gryffindor went bright red. He remembered the dream, it was from when his uncle was flaming mad and had branded him as filth.

"Nothing, Harry said quickly."

"Harry, what iron?" Severus asked again, this time more forceful.

"No." Harry said. Severus came toward the boy, and he instantly crouched. "I'm sorry." Harry stood and undid his pants. Turning around he dropped them. The word 'Filth' was burned into Harry's delicate skin.

"Harry." Severus grabbed the boy and held him to himself. Harry felt the shudders of crying. His love was crying.

"It's ok Severus." Harry said, turning around and wiping Severus' tears.

"No it is not." Severus said.

"Severus, you are to keep Harry, here. I need to talk to Mr. Dursley." He and Minerva appreated out of the house.

"Harry come here so I can heal you." As Harry bent over to gather his clothes, Severus saw his opening. It was purple and swollen. That was why Harry had a hard time walking.