The Vow And its Consequences

Chapter 7

Heres hoping you can actually read it this time!

Healers And News

Severus didn't even spare a glance around, normally he would, but these were different and difficult circumstances. He was grateful that the Peacocks weren't out and wandering, he had enough on his mind without avoiding or trampling over them too. Malfoy manor was an impressive sight indeed, it was obvious for all to see they liked to show and boast how much wealth they had. It's probably where Lucius had gotten his annoying habit of feeling superior because he had a lot of money. Truth be told, Lucius probably wasn't the wealthiest pureblood out there, maybe on the British Isles perhaps. One would never know most witches and wizards didn't boast about their money, it was quite dangerous to do. It's what had lead Lucius' father to being recruited, and inevitably his son. It was a good thing Lucius had a shrewd mind and good instincts when he bought percentages of businesses and of course did investments. The investments and businesses nearly always paid off. Severus shook off his thoughts, he shouldn't be thinking about Lucius and his shrewd mind when Harry was extremely hurt.

"Lady Narcissa someone is at the door," said Dobby.

"Who is it?" she asked looking up curiously, she had been watching her son use his toy broomstick. Despite the fact it couldn't go further than three inches off the ground, she still worried about him rather needlessly. Soft padding lined the walls and floors, keeping him safe from harm. She still kept an eye on him despite looking at her husband's house elf getting rather impatient.

"Master Snape," replied Dobby bowing low, waiting on his next order.

"Open the door and let him in at once," demanded Narcissa, she was very fond of Severus. He had a wicked sense of humour. He wasn't afraid to stand up to Lucius, which made her like him more. Not many people stood up to her husband, and she realized that Severus was Lucius' only true friend. The others were just scared brown nosers trying to make their way into Lucius good graces. It's why she had made Severus Draco's godfather; unfortunately Draco didn't have a godmother. Narcissa didn't have any female friends she could trust with her son's life.

"Yes my lady," said Dobby before he disappeared once more, reappearing at the big heavy door that guarded Malfoy Manor. Huge oak doors, heavy and warded from all spells that could see someone entering their home. Such as 'Alohamora' and the blasting spells that would rip the doors from its hinges. Dobby clicked his fingers and the doors opened, just as Dobby saw Severus coming up the steps quite quickly. In his arms he had a small figure of a child, Dobby watched him in alarm. His curiosity, still there despite his training.

"Get Lucius now," said Severus once he spotted Dobby.

"Master Malfoy is not home Master Snape," said Dobby, Master Malfoy was his Master, but he called Severus Master in honour of his title. He was the youngest Potions Master in Britain and the title deserved respect. He was widely respected in the potion community, and Dobby had many fellow friends and family who served people in the community.

"Narcissa then," said Severus, barely able to stop himself snarling at the house elf, he knew it wasn't the elves fault. In fact if it was Narcissa in that might make things go much better.

Dobby disappeared without saying anything further, not wanting to lollygag, it was evident from Master Snape's face this was important. He knew because Severus didn't normally glare at him in such a way. Perhaps having something to do with the child in his arms. "Master Severus needs you in the entrance hall right away Lady Narcissa," said Dobby as soon as he appeared in Draco's play room.

Narcissa sat up straighter, Severus had never, in all her years of knowing him needed her help. "Stay with Draco." said Narcissa, as she gracefully, yet hurriedly made her way out of the room. With speed and efficiency, that she hadn't used since the Dark Lord's defeat, she was down the stairs. She could remember running to her husbands shaking form every time he came back from a meeting. Sometimes Severus had to actually apparate him back, because he was unconscious. As she neared him, intending on hugging him she noticed the bundle in his arms. She was very confused, but she didn't demand answered she just asked Severus one question. She owed him a lot, and if she could repay it then she would.

People thought Slytherin's were evil, but what they seem to do is forget what the Sorting Hat says each year. Slytherin is where you will find your true friends, although admittedly during the dark times you couldn't tell. Between befriending you to inevitably join the dark side, to befriending you to know where your alliance lay. All the houses just liked to blame Slytherin for being evil, but it just wasn't true. The same was happening with Drumstrang, just because Gellert Grindelwald had been expelled from there and became a 'Dark Lord' it was ridiculous if they were going to go against everything because of one person then nothing and no-one was innocent anymore.

"What do you need?" asked Narcissa, her hand wiping the hair away from the child's face. She froze on the spot, he was injured, very badly so but why bring him here? Neither she nor Lucius were healers.

"Narcissa I need you to call your healer," said Severus swallowing thickly, each second they delayed could cost them heavily. "I shall pay for it myself if need be." he said with more force.

"Severus why have you not gone to St. Mungo's?" asked Narcissa walking over to the fireplace they had at the entrance hall of their home. The study held a fire, but it was just that, a fire. They only had one available Floo network connection and it was this one. They kept people away from the study, library and their rooms.

"It's Harry bloody Potter now if you won't help me I'll leave." snapped Severus his patience wearing thin he was exhausted. It was time for bed and here he was with his arms fill of Harry Potter! He just didn't know what on earth he could do.

"Ah, of course I will Severus," said Narcissa refraining from rolling her eyes in exasperation at her good friend. He had always had a problem with his temper, especially when teaching eleven year olds how to brew Potions. She threw the powder into the fire and shouted the name of her family's healer.

"Yes Narcissa is everything okay? Has Draco had some bad side affects?" asked Joseph Benoit. His accent was noticeable to Severus, he was Spanish? Why would they have a Spanish healer? Despite his accent he spoke fluently in English not brokenly like most foreign people did.

"Everything is fine with my family, but I need your services immediately," said Narcissa removing her head from the fireplace, she knew without hearing the chime that Joseph would be through soon.

"Spanish?" asked Severus wryly, he didn't know why he was so surprised.

"His father is English Severus, he was brought up by his mother, when he found out he went to claim his son, and ensure that he attended the best school, Hogwarts. He's been here since he was eleven years old." replied Narcissa slightly defensively.

"He has sworn an oath to keep silent hasn't he?" said Severus wanting confirmation from his friend.

"He has sworn an unbreakable vow Severus, does that satisfy you?" asked Narcissa knowing what was bothering him. She felt it too; Severus Snape was in her entrance hall with Harry Potter of all people. It dawned on her belatedly, that Harry was the same age as her son, yet the child in his arms looked two not five. Her face pale beyond anything, this was evidently not going to be an easy fix.

"It does," said Severus fully relaxing for the first time, just then someone stepped through the Floo network. He looked to be twenty eight years old, professional, seriously yet he had a small cheeky face that made him look younger.

"Dobby?" called Narcissa.

"Yes Lady Narcissa?" asked Dobby appearing out of nowhere.

"Where is Draco?" asked Narcissa.

"He is sleeping, I put him to bed," said Dobby, unable to finish as Narcissa spoke over him again.

"Go and tell Lucius his presence is required, tell him Severus is here also if it's needed. I want him back as soon as it's possible for him to leave." said Narcissa; she knew he was meeting with Minister Fudge. Thankfully house elves could appear silently, just as they could make themselves invisible to everyone around them. Lucius would be able to feel him though, since Dobby was bound to him.

Dobby disappeared once again, realizing that it was going to be a very long night. Lucius hated being interrupted, at least by him anyway. Now that he knew who the child was, he realized how important it was. Harry Potter was injured; it was obvious to him that Severus Snape had found him. Lucius was going to get the shock of his life when he got home that's for sure.

"Come," said Narcissa, her delicate hands grabbing at her robes as she ran up the stairs, followed closely behind by Severus and Joseph. She took them into the only other room that had an en-suite. It was the guest room Severus used upon occasions when he stayed over, mostly on Draco's birthdays.

"I need you to do a full scan," said Severus bluntly, placing his bundle on the bed, he looked so very small in the four poster king size bed. He moved to the side to let the healer work, but stayed within sight of both of them. He trusted no one with Harry's safety, and with good reason.

Joseph immediately went over, and started the long complicated charm that would show absolutely everything. It took a lot of magic to do the spell, more if the person was seriously injured. Which it came apparent that this child was, and finally understood why he'd be called. Parchment came out of the end as soon as he finished the chant, far too long for a little child.

He took a look at it and his eyes widened, this was Harry Potter! What on earth had happened to cause such injuries? There was no mistaken it, this was abuse the results of very bad abuse. He was severely malnourished; nearly every bone in his body had been broken at one point or another. It was the worst case of abuse he'd ever come across. He was almost unsure of where to start! It was that bad. He grabbed his potions bag, grateful he always carried it around with him.

"You will use my potions, they are fresh." said Severus not wanting inferior potions to be used on Harry.

"Very well, I need a level ten internal injuries potion undiluted, undiluted junior Skele-grow." said Joseph.

Severus reached in for his own potions bag, which was then un-shrunk and ten times bigger than the healers. His deft fingers brought out the potions the healer required. Passing them over without saying anything, the healer immediately conjured up a small measuring cup. He measured out how much he could give to the child. With great difficulty he managed to coax the unconscious boy into swallowing it. He immediately did the same with the Skele-grow. He was able to give the child more of that since it was for junior children not adults. He did this as his mind whirled dangerously; there was something on that paper that turned his stomach. He would have to discuss it with them, and he hoped to get an answer.

"Does anyone know what happened that Halloween night? After the attack?" asked Joseph, as he cast a spell that would reduce the swelling on the boy's face. Another that would heal the cut, another that would stop infection. He was about to ask for a salve but Severus got there first. Handing it to him, he unscrewed it and carefully spread it across his face.

"Why?" demanded Severus his lip curling in repugnance?

"Well he's been living with Muggles since it happened, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten away with this plus the fact there's been no spells cast on him to imply Wizards or Witches had done this." said Joseph.

Severus smirked slightly well the healer was smart he'd give him that much. "Yes he has, with his family, maternal aunt and uncle." his face darkened just saying it. He wanted to go back and cause them all a world of pain. Once he had Harry safe perhaps that's what he would do.

"Nobody was left alone with the child?" asked Joseph.

"He was alone with Sirius Black before Hagrid retrieved him on orders of Dumbledore. As far as I am aware he was delivered straight to his family. Dumbledore and Hagrid was back for the celebration not long after." said Severus emotionlessly, he had been forced to attend it had been the longest and hardest night of his life.

"Someone cast a powerful binding block on his magic, which is stopping him from accessing seventy five percent of his magic." said Joseph, "The rest has been keeping him alive since he was a baby." he was furious with whoever did it, binding blocks were illegal, and for good reason.

"Seventy five percent?" gaped Narcissa looking stunned, she held onto the wall as though she was about to fall over with the news and it wasn't even her child. She put the dots together, there would have only been one wizard powerful enough to bind that much magic. She looked at Severus and saw he too had come to the same conclusion. He looked ready to murder someone, and she almost wanted to let him.

"There is also something else on this I do not understand, a foreign entity is in Mr. Potter, its dark and evil…I do not know if it's a by product of the killing curse or some other failed spell?" said Joseph.

"Let me see," said Severus imperiously waiting on the parchment, he grabbed it and began reading; it was at the top right next to the killing curse. A frown marred Severus' forehead, whatever it was it definitely shouldn't be there. "Is there a way to find out?" he asked finally handing the paper back.

"A ritual, will tell you exactly what it is where it came from and how to get rid of it, if that is possible." said Joseph. The rune healing ritual, Harry would need to be in full prefect health for it. Until then they would just have to heal him as best they were able.

"We shall do it when we can, until then we must wait." said Severus. "Is there a specific potion he's going to need long term?" he already knew the answer to that. He wasn't a healer though so he awaited Joseph's expertise.

"Narcissa!" called Lucius his voice sounding frantic with worry.

"Excuse me," said Narcissa quickly leaving the room to go to her husband's side.

"He will need a nutrient potion for at least a year perhaps more," said Joseph, "He will need frequent small meals, his stomach will not be able to handle much at all. The damage it quiet extensive. He's much too small height wise for a five year old, so I'd say he'd need level ten potions to help with that. He will need a potion to help with the pain; nearly every bone is healing itself."

"How many doses of the internal injury potion will he need?" asked Severus, watching the healer look at his watch before taking Severus' potion case and feed him a blood replenishing potion. Unfortunately Harry would need the potions to be spaced out to avoid an overdose. He was so small that it didn't surprise Severus at all. They didn't usually have to worry about that with adults.

Joseph pulled out a clipboard and parchment, before he tapped it and writing appeared on the paper. "He will need them for three days; his body isn't functioning to its full capacity. It's important that he doesn't catch any more infections or illnesses or his body will completely shut down." Joseph also tapped it again; a potion for his eyesight was added to the list. Since Severus insisted on brewing them himself they needed to be put on the list. His eyesight was rather bad, no doubt not helped by the concussions he'd had.

"So he would not have made it to Hogwarts had I not intervened?" stated Severus.

"No Severus, I doubt very much he would have survived the rest of the week, he already had a bad fever and the starting of an infection." said Joseph, pulling out yet another potion to prevent infection and spelling it into his stomach. As an afterthought he pulled a fever reducer and did the same thing. Everything he was doing was being recorded on the parchment on the clipboard.

"Severus," said Lucius nodding his head, his mercury eyes staring at Harry as if he couldn't believe his eyes. This little boy had been the downfall of the darkest and most evil lord in the world - yet he himself lay almost dead by the hands of Muggles. This did nothing but reinforce the hatred Lucius had of them. Narcissa had filled him in on the way up, and he had heard the healer's last statement.

"Lucius," said Severus copying Lucius' movements.

"This is the potions and times he will need them, if you like I can stay," said Joseph. Here he was mostly speaking to Severus, but everything that needed done was already seen too. Everything else could be done with someone not trained as a healer or Medi-Wizard. They would only be following his instructions that needed done precisely. "I will keep my Floo open in case of emergencies. If not then I shall be back tomorrow to check up on him at seven A.M."

"Thank you Joseph." said Lucius kindly, and it was kind for him. Of course Joseph was one he could say he trusted, especially with his family. If they or he was ever sick Joseph always came he didn't trust those at St. Mungo's. He only wanted the best help, and Joseph was the best in his field.

"No problem," said Joseph giving one last look to the sick child he was escorted by Narcissa to the Floo network and he promptly disappeared after speaking to her for a few seconds.

"Who did this?" asked Lucius his face a mask of fury. The thought of anyone hurting a Wizarding child riled him up.

"His family, the Dursley's." said Severus his eyes darkening with fury, he was almost tempted to put his Death Eater garb on and show them just what wizards were capable of. He could see by the disgust and anger on Lucius' face his thoughts were similar.

"They will rue the day they dared harm one of our own." said Lucius blankly, his mind conjuring up ways to deal with them.

"Legally Lucius, that will hurt them worse, trust me." said Severus, "They think themselves better than those around them." he had been so shocked by her words about drowning Harry he'd been rooted to the spot before he's slapped her for her malicious words. It had done nothing to stop his anger; in fact it was probably ten times worse.

"How is he?" asked Lucius eventually, sitting down on the bed, staring at the five year old, so much smaller than his own son. He carefully pulled the covers over him, keeping him warm. He touched his forehead reverently; he owed this small child more than he could ever repay him. Because of this child his son grew up without darkness, he shuddered at the thought of the Dark Lord in his home, touching his son. Oh no, he would pay for the healer, and he'd pay for everything Harry needed. After all the things he'd done in his life, it would be a small repayment.

"Dumbledore bound seventy five percent of his magic," said Severus his mind still unable to process that one.

"Did he unlock it?" asked Lucius immediately, his face paler than normal.

"No, it may cause more harm than good right now," said Severus angrily.

"You'd think it would help heal him faster," said Lucius thoughtfully.

"He's five," said Severus as if it explained everything, which strangely enough it did.

"Severus, Joseph suggested giving him half a mild sleeping potion so he doesn't wake up." said Narcissa, "He doesn't want Harry in any more pain than he needs to be."

Severus immediately poured out the required amount before helping the small five year old drink it. He would have to brew nutrition potions and of course the one to help Harry with his height. He found himself gently stroking the child's face, he had thought often of Harry since that night. None of it good, he felt extremely guilty about it. He'd assumed Harry was growing up knowing his birthright, spoiled because he survived something he shouldn't have. Something his mother hadn't. He couldn't have been further from the truth; he was nothing like his father except in looks.

"Come let him rest, I shall have Dobby watch him." said Lucius, Severus looked frankly exhausted.

"I'll stay." said Severus immediately; he wasn't going to leave the child's side. "Thank you for helping me."

"It's the least I can do for him Severus," said Lucius honestly, and they all felt the same regarding the child. If it wasn't for him, and perhaps his mother, the Dark Lord would have won.

"If you need anything Dobby will fetch us." said Narcissa kindly, placing a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder. No doubt Severus was feeling really bad right now, and the past he tried to keep in the past was coming back to haunt him. Lily had always been a weakness of Severus'. It was a good job they really cared about him, they knew his weaknesses and they could have exploited them or told the Dark Lord.

Severus merely nodded never taking his eyes from Harry, even when the lights dimmed as Lucius and Narcissa left. Severus continued to watch Harry, until his own body gave up the battle to remain awake.

So will they find out Harry's a horcrux then start hunting them down or will it not happen for a very long time yet? well after harrys second year will that still happen? or will severus who is taking harry to get his things during his second year see lucius' actions and take it before anything happens? how will harry react to being there? try and clean the place? hide in the cupboards? or be too scared to even move? after all severus can be intimidating! or will harry be in awe of him that he scared even his cousin Dudley Dursley and cling to him thinking everyone would be as scared of severus as dudley had been and thinks nobody would hurt him if he was with severus? will he get on with Draco? will harry be able to be adopted and when exactly will Dumbledore find out? sorting feast when its Harry James Potter-Snape thats called out? or before? is harry ever destined to have a normal childhood free of complications? will severus warn dumbledore that he will remove harry if the stone stays? forcing Dumbledore's hand? will he use the blocks on harrys magic to control dumbledore and stop any actions on the fools part? R&R PLEASE! and finally got you all a big chapter this time lol :D i hope they were all belivable.

this wont be a harry/ginny story i do not do well with those and i hated the epilouge of the Deathly Hallows...image marrying someone whos had a crush on you before they met you? helllooo she loved the boy who lived always did, and i cant believe harry married her YUK! lol so yes no ginny/Harry but to be honest i dont even think there will be a pairing in this story this will be about severus and harry learning to be father/son and open up! lol