A/N: I am revising chapters because I finally found my muse who ran away with my outline. I hope that you are enjoying the new stuff, and please understand that some chapters are going to be very long and some short. I am hoping to find a happy medium somewhere between. Either way my updating should be coming quicker.
Chapter 2: Investigations
Severus sat in shock looking blankly back at the man that had just shocked him speechless. He now had options that he never thought that he would have. Quickly so not to completely lose what composure that naturally made up his usual facade he demanded any and all information that Lucius had about the donation made on his behalf to the sperm bank. Then he snarkly informed him that if his donation had been used Lucius would be paying dearly for all the legal issues that occurred, and that he had better pray that the parents would be willing to allow him visitation at least. With that Severus Snape made his grand exit from Malfoy Manor with his robes billowing behind him.
Privet Drive
Dudley reached his room still in shock of his father striking him across the face. He had never been on the receiving end of his wrath before and it completely stunned him. It scared him quite a bit that his father had not kept his temper controlled with him, his father always made sure to take it out on Harry somehow with extra chores and things like that.
He continued to contemplate what was going on in with his father when his attention was drawn outside to the fence where his father was pulling off the plank that was loose. After succeeding in his quest Vernon then turned towards the gardening shed kept in the back corner of their yard. Curious, but not yet brave enough to anger his father even more he craned his neck around the side of his window to see what his father was doing. Childishly believing that possibly his father was going to work out some of his anger by fixing the loose board of the fence or creating work for his cousin to do. His attention turned back to the mystery of what he had done to cause his father's wrath to turn on him. Unfortunately Dudley did not notice that his dad was not pulling out the supplies that Harry would need to fix the fence. Instead Vernon had dug out the extension cord that he had replaced recently. It would work nicely and should not do such messy damage. It was perfect for the purpose he wanted to use it for.
Vernon crept back into the house sending and angry look at his sons' door. He knew he would have to deal with the possessed boy later. It was unfortunate that demons had to be beaten out, but his son had been clean all these years it should not take long. First, though he had to get the cause of all the families' problems taken care of.
At the entrance of his Uncle, Harry gave a small sigh and prepared for whatever punishment his uncle was going to dole for whatever transgressions he felt that had transpired. It did not occur to him that this punishment was going to be worse than others until the first forays of his uncle's new weapon...a piece of wood with sharp, rusty nails sticking out of it. Harry lost count of the number of times that board came down on his body. His uncle in his infinite wisdom of torture techniques decided that it was better to concentrate on one spot for at least six swings before moving to the next spot. He was relieved when he heard the board clatter to the floor, but the cry of shock that escaped because of the extension cord going into play was heard outside of the room. It was the first time Dudley had ever heard a sound of that nature come from his cousin. It was like a wounded animal that had been kicked when it was already hurt.
Now normally he would not care if Harry was in trouble, but his cousin had helped him more in this past summer than anyone else in his whole lifetime. At first he thought and expected Harry to make fun of him for not knowing and struggling to read, but his cousin showed him only kindness, respect and encouragement. That alone made him rethink about the way that he had been raised to treat him. Taking some time to gather as much courage as he could muster, Dudley left his room and snuck over to Harry's to make sure that his cousin was all right.
Snape Estate
Severus looked over the paperwork that Lucius had provided, and frowned at how incomplete the papers were. Lucius had left many of the fields blank, and though he had said that he listed strict requirements, there were only three. The first being that a couple must use the donation, second the couple must both be magical, and the third requirement was they had to be financially secure. Running a hand through his hair Severus let out a frustrated sigh. He must have really been blitzed that night not to have noticed what was happening, and Lucius what was he thinking. His memory of that night couldn't be perfect either. Taking the papers he had with him he went to still the wizarding world's most prestigious fertility clinic and asked to speak to someone in the records department. Once there he had to sign some verification papers and they checked his magical signature. The records attendant chuckled as he saw the name pop up in front of him S. Smith 0078932. S. Smith was the most common name used by the most unimaginative of donors who wish to remain anonymous. He told Severus to wait while they pulled his file. As uncomfortable as Severus was waiting there for the clerk to return there was a certain amount of anxiety combined. He might have a child out there; a child that he has dreamt about for years.
There was a clearing of the throat and Severus broke out of his revere reaching for the file in the clerk's hand. He opened it up to see a stamp on the application page that Lucius filled out showing that his donation had indeed been used. While looking over the page he noticed that Lucius "grand" requirements were a joke, and just about anyone could have qualified. The following pages in the chart were about the quality of his donation. It was not until the very last page that he found anything about the people or person who used his sperm. There on the recipient application where two names that he would have never thought to have seen Lily and James Potter. As bold as can be in black and white his heart dropped and his dreams seemed squashed. His child was dead... it was rumored that Lily Potter was pregnant at the time of her murder by the Dark Lord. It was then that he saw the date of transaction. It was not possible. If the date was correct then HARRY POTTER was his child. Severus then did something that no one would ever believe the austere potion master to do. He fainted.
Privet Drive
Dudley stood there rooted to his spot in the door way praying with all his might to whoever looked down from above. There curled up in a ball was his cousin trying to protect vital organs as his father beat him ruthlessly. What shocked him the most though was there Harry made now sound, and there were no tears streaming down his face. Harry's face only showed the occasional wince as whatever tool that his father was using on his body made an impact. It wasn't until these thoughts passed through his mind that his father's voice penetrated the fog that was threatening to overwhelm him.
Vernon did not notice when the bedroom door opened or the fact that his son was standing in the door way. If he knew he would have kept to himself his reason for punishing the freak. As he inflicted each stroke he would let the freak know that his plan would not work, and Harry ever wanted him to stop. He would take away his son's magic. Dudley was a good normal boy, he had been born and raised that way, and there was no way in hell that he would be a freak like his cousin.
It was that sentence that got Dudley moving; the extra weird things that had been happening around the house were not just Harry's magic maturing but his magic showing up as well. There was no way that he was going to give up his magic, and if there was any indication by what his father had did earlier that evening when he struck him he would soon be following in Harry's footsteps getting the beating of a lifetime. They needed help and fast he went to his mother only to find her talking to someone who was not even in the room. With the new knowledge of his father's behavior it is more than likely that his mother's condition was also his fault. Thinking hard he tried to think of some way he could contact one of those people who watched over his cousin the last year.