31 Boil & Brew

Harry made his way down to the Potions classroom during his free period. He had taken the time to read every word regarding the potion he would be brewing today. He felt confident that he wouldn't make any mistakes and that Severus would have to sign the permission slip.

The classroom door was shut with a note spell-o- taped to the front. His name was written across the parchment He pulled it off the door and read it:

Potter,

Test cancelled, due to meeting. Be prepared to execute a flawless potion in class today.

Snape

It was just like Snape to amend a test at the last minute! He hadn't had time to read ahead to the next chapter so he had no idea what potion they were working on today. He ran up to the library to get as much reading done as he could before the next class, which just happened to be potions. Bloody Hell!

Harry ran into Dean and Hermione in the library. Dean hadn't read the next chapter either so they all studied together. Hermione went into another one of her long lectures on the advantages of being prepared. Harry tuned her out half way through her speech and studied his potions book. Today they would be brewing Doxycide. He remembered using it at Grimmauld Place to get rid of the violent little fairies hiding in the drapes.

The hour passed quickly, leaving Harry only somewhat confident that he would pass without any mistakes. He was getting tired of Snape's bad attitude and had to keep reminding himself that it was better than the alternative, Severus had almost died. He'd come too close to losing his father to not appreciate even a mean Snape.

Harry, Dean and Hermione were on their way to Potions class, the last class of the day, when they ran into Goyle, Pansy and Millicent. All three Gryffindor instinctively grasped their wands when they saw the Slytherins coming their way. Oddly enough, the Slytherins not only didn't pick a fight with them, but they also appeared to bow their heads slightly when they glanced at Harry.

Harry forced down that uneasy feeling curling in his stomach. He didn't think his friends had noticed anything unusual but he missed the look Hermione was now giving him.

Potions class was about as bad as it had ever been. Snape took points from Gryffindor every chance he had. Halfway through the class Gryffindor was already down sixty points and they hadn't even gotten to the brewing part yet.

Harry's friends kept giving him inquiring looks every time Snape took points but all he could do was shrug back at them. He collected his ingredients and begun to start his potion, determined to get everything right.

Severus stood at the front of the class, ever watchful for any mistakes. The Doxycide potion was highly volatile until it was set. One mistake could cost someone an arm. His gaze stopped at Potter's worktable. He was stunned by the precision and accuracy the boy now showed, not to mention his perfect pace.

Not only were Potter's measurements exact but he was actually brewing a faultless potion. Severus stepped closer to the table, several thoughts running through his mind. Perhaps the boy had picked up good brewing practice by living with him? He peered into the cauldron, noticing the textbook mixture.

Harry was so immersed in his potion that he didn't even realize he was being watched until Severus stood over him. He looked up, caught off guard by the odd look of astonishment on Severus' face.

"What'd I do wrong, sir?" Harry asked, going over the potion in his mind for any mistakes he might have made.

"Did I say you did anything wrong, Potter?"

"No sir," Harry admitted, as he stirred his potion counter clockwise.

"Have you brewed this potion prior to today?" Snape asked suspiciously. "Students are not allowed to brew a potion as toxic as this one without supervision," he reprimanded sharply. "Ten points from Gryffindor."

"I haven't brewed it before," Harry argued. "I swear, this is the first time."

"Another ten points for lying" Severus snapped.

"But …" Harry started.

At that moment, Snape's uncompromising expression changed to one of pain and alarm. Harry immediately knew his dad was being attacked by another memory.

Severus grasped onto the work table, unable to do anything else as the memory assaulted his brain. He could scarcely endure being caught in the throes of one of these memories in front of a classroom filled with students. Potter's cauldron shook, sloshing Doxycide over the rim and onto his hands.

Harry immediately moved his cauldron onto Hermione's table. He grabbed his cloak and wiped off Severus' hand, causing the man to look up at him. That was all it took for the Legilimens connection to be made.

The memory was a strong one, sending a mind numbing pain through Harry's brain. He tried to slow the memory down as best he could but this one unfurled at an alarming rate. He was barely aware of Hermione's panicked voice asking if she should get the headmaster.

Only by sheer willpower, Severus remained standing as the memory hit him like a spike in the brain. He felt the pain ease up once Potter took control.

Potter was in the infirmary, severely beaten and on the verge of panicking. The boy had thrown an arm up in front of his face, as if to protect himself from being battered. Severus approached the bed with his hands out in front of him, to show he meant no harm.

"It is just me. I made this potion for you to take away that dreaded fever," Snape saw Potter's face become calmer and reality take hold once more as the boy lowered his arm.

"Erm, you didn't have to, you know. I-I'm sorry you had to waste your time, sir," Harry said in a near whisper. "Thank you for coming to get me. I know it's your holiday and all and I don't want you to waste anymore time with me. I'll figure out how to save Hedwig on my own."

Snape felt a twinge in his chest, this boy was sincere, he could see it in his eyes. He looked down on that battered face, with one black eye and a lip that continued to threaten to break open and start bleeding again. Why couldn't I see this before, he thought. Why didn't someone know he was being raised with such abuse?

"I thought Pomfrey was fixing those bruises Potter?" he asked.

"Well, she tried, she really did but I guess my body stopped reacting to the creams and stuff. She said it was because my body had absorbed all it could take with my back and legs and all. Even the dreamless sleep potion isn't working," Harry slowly turned his head away from the potions master, not expecting any help.

"Well, no matter Potter, we can try again tomorrow," said Snape quietly. When Harry would no longer look at him Snape slowly put his hand on the boy's arm. Potter looked back again with an odd look on his face. What was that... hope?

"Here Potter, take this for your fever. I'm not sure it will work any better then the last but its worth a try."

Harry let Snape hold the bottle to his mouth and tilt the potion in.

Snape stood there waiting for the fever to come down. Twenty minutes later, Potter was still wide awake and very feverish. Snape decided to stay with him, maybe just till the boy fell asleep.

Snape pulled his wand out and pointed to the chair across the room. The chair came flying over Harry and landed softly next to the bed. The Professor sat down on it and waited for sleep to take hold of the teen and the fever to leave.

He watched as the boy's eyes slowly slid shut. He felt a deep satisfaction at being able to offer comfort to the abused teen.

The memory ended abruptly. Potter was slumped down to the floor with his hands pressed to his head. Severus reached for Potter's arm to help him stand.

"On your feet, Potter," Severus curtly instructed, barely able to remain standing himself.

Once Harry got to his feet, his mind cleared enough to think about the memory Severus had just recalled. He looked up into cold black eyes, disappointed by not seeing any new sentiment in them. He felt pressure building up behind his nose and eyes and knew that in a matter of minutes he would start to bleed.

He didn't want his dad to see the pain and damage these memories were causing him, not to mention all the students gawking at him. He pulled away from Severus' grip and headed for the door.

"Potter, get to my office at once," the Potion Master ordered. He could see the boy was struggling to stay upright. Potter continued walking, as if he hadn't heard the last command.

Hermione started to follow her friend but was brusquely ordered back to her seat. She hesitated a moment.

"Leave him Ms. Grainger! Have the students bottle their potions before cleaning up their work stations," Snape held himself upright as he made it to his office. Once there he sunk into his chair to recover from the disturbing memory.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Harry felt fortunate to make it out the door without collapsing. He stumbled his way down one more flight of stairs, holding onto the banister for dear life. He was completely unprepared as a spell hit him from behind right between the shoulder blades! The last thing he recalled was hitting his head on the last step as he crumbled to the ground.

Harry woke up in a daze. His head hurt worse than ever and his back felt like it was on fire. He went to grab his wand but realized it was not in his pocket any longer. He searched the surrounding area to no avail. Someone had hexed him, then taken his wand! Where had the auror been that was supposed to be on duty?

He made it to the dungeon apartment and staggered to his bedroom. He was halfway across the room when his nose started to bleed. His vision blurred and he realized blood was also dripping from his eyes. He dropped down to his knees as he tried to staunch the blood flow. Oh Merlin, his heart pounded with fear. What was happening to him?

It was another fifteen minutes before the bleeding finally stopped. There was a puddle of blood on the floor and his school shirt and tie were soaked through. He sat back on his feet and took his shirt off, using it to wipe up the blood from the floor.

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Severus considered this last memory. He started to put the pieces together from other memories. Draco had accused him of being cruel last night for the remarks he had made about Potter's family. It stood to reason that he had adopted the boy because Potter's own family had abused the unfortunate teen.

All his judgments of the boy were swiftly shattered. Not only had the weight of the wizarding world been placed on the boy but he had also been dealing in secrecy with abuse. That revelation made him quite uncomfortable with the sharp words he had leveled at the boy during supper last night. His regret manifested into shame, a feeling he was truly not comfortable with.

He had to know for sure, he had to speak with Potter. With that thought in mind he swept through his now empty classroom and down to his dungeon apartment. The boy's bedroom door was wide open so he didn't stop to knock. He froze in his tracks when he spotted Harry wiping up a puddle of blood.

"What has happened?" true alarm tinged Severus' words.

The moment the boy looked up he saw the deep gash across his forehead.

"I was attacked," Harry said, hoping that Severus thought the blood was due to the attack and not the returned memory. "Someone hit me from behind, so I didn't see who it was."

"Where was the auror on duty?" the Potion Master's voice was sharp, angry at the auror who failed to protect the boy.

"I don't know, sir," Harry said, wiping the last of the blood from the floor. "Whoever attacked me also took my wand."

Severus pulled his wand out and banished the stained shirt and tie from Potter's hands and the last of the blood from the floor.

"Come here," Severus said, observing the unsteadiness the boy displayed at the minor act of standing. He grasped Potter's arm, guiding him to the bed. His eyes took in the jagged angry scar on Potter's lower back, in addition to the bright red mark between the boy's shoulders, presumably the hex he had just been hit with.

"What happened to your back?" Snape asked, using his wand to tap the scar.

Harry flinched, turning his back away from the professor. He knew he couldn't answer that question without possibly damaging Severus' memories. Besides, he wasn't strong enough to help his dad should a new memory occur. He looked down, clenching his hands into fists.

Severus waited, when the boy refused to talk, he said, "That memory I just recovered, …tell me, was it your Muggle uncle that abused you?"

Harry nodded, eyes closed, "Yes, sir."

"Was he also responsible for that scar on your back?"

"Yes," Harry's voice broke on the word.

After a long moment of contemplation Severus finally asked with compunction, "Was this the reason I adopted you?"

"Part of it. I can't tell you the rest," Harry said, thinking of the dreams his mum had sent both of them. The dreams that had changed everything.

Severus stood in front of the teen and grasped his chin, forcing the boy to look up at him. He could tell the head wound was well within his ability to heal. He raised his wand to the open head wound.

With a softly spoken spell, Harry felt the wound seal shut.

Severus studied the wound, satisfied with the way it had almost disappeared. His eyes dropped to Harry's eyes.

He was taken aback by the look of hopefulness and trust in the boy's eyes. He stepped back abruptly, releasing his grip on Potter.

"Your head wound is healed." Severus said, uneasy with the his own emotions.

"Thank you, sir."

"You contacted the Headmaster regarding the attack, I assume?"

"No, sir," Harry said, thinking that he should have done that first thing. Severus lifted an eyebrow but didn't admonish him.

"I must contact Albus to report the attack. As far as your wand is concerned, you may rest assured that a thorough search shall be conducted. Until your wand is located you must remain in the apartment. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"Narcissa will be joining us for supper. Please endeavor to be on time," with that said Severus swept from the room.

Harry sat on the bed feeling a mixture of disappointment and uneasiness. Would his dad even be the same once he got his full memory back?

XXXXXXXXXXXX

At exactly six o'clock Harry walked out to the living room. He had stayed in his bedroom until the last possible minute with a fever raging and his head pounding. The last thing he wanted to do was eat. Narcissa was seated at the dining room table and Severus had just entered from the kitchen with a bottle of wine in his hand. Harry didn't see Draco and dreaded the thought of having supper with just the two adults.

"Hello," Harry said to Narcissa, "Is Draco joining us?"

"Not tonight," the haughty woman said, feeling rather annoyed with the boy's unwelcome presence, "I'm surprised you are not out practicing with the rest of the students wishing to try out for the Quidditch team? Or possibly you think you don't need the practice?"

"No, I wish I could practice too."

"Mr. Potter has lost his wand, thus forcing him to remain in my apartment for the foreseeable future," Severus stated with disparagement. "And before you ask," he looked at Harry, " No, your wand was not found. Albus believes it is not on the school premises any longer."

"Will I need to get another wand?" Harry asked, not liking the idea at all.

Severus rolled his eyes, "Yes, I suppose I will need to take you to Ollivanders in the morning. I hope you understand what an inconvenience this is."

"Sorry."

"Shame on you, Harry James Potter," Narcissa admonished, "that was quite a senseless thing to do. You should have kept a better eye on your wand."

Harry was taken aback. What right did Narcissa have to lecture him!?! He kept his eyes firmly on his plate, fearing that he would lose it with the obnoxious witch if he looked at her.

"It is irresponsibility like that which makes you hazardous to others," Narcissa scolded. "Draco would never lose something so important. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Severus may have thought that Potter needed more discipline but he found himself quite annoyed that anyone but him would lecture the boy. A feeling inside took hold that wanted to shield the boy from the witch's sharp words. He was none too pleased that Narcissa was overstepping her bounds.

"Furthermore, it is downright childish to …" Narcissa was suddenly interrupted.

"Enough!" Severus snapped. "Leave- him- be."

"Severus, I was just trying to help," Narcissa pouted, quite stung by the reprimand. "We both know what sort of people raised him and the many lessons they failed to teach …" Narcissa reared back in her chair when Severus interrupted her again. This time by leaning across the table with a menacing glare.

"Potter is my son and I will instruct him as I see fit. This subject is closed," Severus growled out. He sat back before snatching up his glass of wine, taking several deep swigs, as he tried to recover from the words that had just burst from his mouth. Had he meant to say "son"?

Harry felt his heart skip a beat. He was afraid to look up, afraid Severus would realize what he had just said and take it all back. Instead he looked up at Narcissa. Upon seeing her irate expression, he gave her a big grin that he knew was quite disrespectful.

She huffed out noisily but kept her mouth shut.

Supper continued with strained conversation between the two adults. No one brought up the subject of wands again.

Harry tried to concentrate on the discussion but his head was pounding. His stomach protested the sight of food. He had thought he was doing a good job at hiding his fever but then he noticed Severus' gaze lingering on him. He pushed his food around on his plate, scooping up a small amount but not eating any.

Narcissa was none too pleased with the re-established bond between Harry and Severus. She thought something may have happened to bring them closer once more, especially after Severus' rebuke. She wasn't happy to see Severus looking concerned over the unhealthy boy.

"Potter, do you plan on playing with your food for the rest of the evening or are you actually going to consume any of it?" Severus asked, his tone not as sharp as it usually was when he spoke to the teen.

"I ate a big lunch," Harry lied. "Would you mind very much if I were excused, sir?"

"I thought we went through this last night, " Narcissa snapped, clearly still holding a grudge, "It is rude manners to leave a supper table before everybody is finished."

Harry was on the verge of telling the spiteful woman what she could do with her opinion when Severus spoke up.

Severus spoke as if he were speaking to a first year, in other words, with no patience, "I believe Potter was speaking to me."

Severus looked back at Harry. He could see the fever had gotten much worse and knew it was due to the boy helping him earlier that day, "You may be excused."

Harry stood up but grasped onto the table as the room started to spin. In the next moment he felt Severus take hold of his arm.

"It wouldn't due to have you end up in the infirmary again," Severus kept his hand on Potter's back as the boy made an unsteady path down the hallway.

Once in the bedroom he parked the teen against the bed. He looked at the odd green covers on the bed, noticing a snake and a lion.

"What is this?". Severus asked, pointing to the covers.

Harry had been leaning against the bed, he turned around to look at the covers. "I got cold and didn't want you banishing my blanket away."

"Ahh," Severus said, remembering the red curtains and Gryffindor blanket. He looked around the room, taking in the stark change from just a few days ago. The shelves and table tops were bare now, gone were the boy's personal belongings.

That peculiar feeling of guilt reared it's ugly head again, compelling him to ask, "Where is all that Gryffindor rubbish, you felt duty-bound to display?"

"I didn't think you wanted it in your home. I put it in my trunk," Harry answered as he unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off, to get ready for bed.

Severus stopped Harry from pulling his t-shirt over his head, "Let me see your back. I would like to see if that spell you were hit with has healed."

Harry turned around, facing the headboard.

Severus took in the bright red spot between Potter's shoulder blades. He waved his wand over it a few times, draining any left over curse that might still be there. He heard the teen give an audible sigh of relief, confirming his suspicion that Potter had been hit with a curse.

"Why hasn't Pomfrey healed your scars," the Potion Master asked abruptly as his gaze settled on that jagged scar below Potter's ribcage.

Harry kept his forehead pressed up to the headboard, "I don't think she can. I hate them," He fingered the one on his neck. "They remind me of the worst times of my life."

"Accio scar potion," Severus called out.

Harry turned to see the potion float through the door and into his father's open hand.

Severus motioned for him to turn around once more.

A moment later Harry felt skillful fingers rubbing the healing balm into the knife wound scar. There was an instant of a sharp sting which caused him to flinch.

"Relax," Harry heard Severus say in a soothing tone. Then Severus applied the potion to the bite mark on his neck.

"If this does not work I shall brew a potion that does work," Severus stated. He handed Harry the fever potion before standing up and straightening his robes. "Rest," came his final command before he strode out the door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Much later that evening, after Narcissa had gone home, Severus stopped outside of Potter's bedroom door. He stepped inside the room, shaking his head when he saw how the teen had fallen asleep on top of the covers. He nudged the sleepy teen to get under the covers.

The boy rolled over, and in a sleepy voice said, "Dad?"

"Go to sleep," Severus softly chided.

He stood by the bedside for a moment as another minor memory slipped into his consciousness. Yes, he was quite convinced he had helped the boy to bed on other occasions. Such a peculiar feeling swelled in his chest at that moment.

Before leaving the room he pulled his wand out and spelled the curtains and bedcovers to the Gryffindor red they had once been. Though he left the lion and snake the same, rather liking the bedcovers that way.

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