A/N- This one is short, but it is also entirely from Severus' POV. The next one shall be longer.
Severus sighed, leaning heavily against the wall of his 'quarters'. He had found a way to stay in this place, for the time being. Although Summerland was fascinating, he knew many who still frequented the in-between. He was, however, one of the lucky few who were summoned by need. A great need for it to bring him here. He feared that it was more than just the boy needing guidance in potions. There was a secret there, besides the obvious, and one he would have to work to get out. Who did I displease to have to deal with teenagers, albeit just one, again? He groaned, closing his eyes briefly. If only Albus were here. He would know what to say to the boy, know how to get him to open up. If he is being bullied, if his friend is, because of who they are, that would be problematic. But what is it's something deeper? Severus scowled at the wall, giving it his meanest glare. Of course, the wall didn't respond, and he impulsively kicked it, sitting rather roughly in a comfy armchair. He then started to chuckle. His old composure, his ridge perfectionist, dropped for a second, just a second, and he smirked at his own childish actions. Temper tantrums? I am too grown and too dead for tantrums. He snorted, and then his famous scowl returned. But the boy. What do I do about the boy?
Severus frowned, stirring his bubbling cauldron. The Veritaserum was perfect, it just needed to simmer for an hour. This was not, of course, his first course of action, but if nothing else worked, he would have no other choice. Of course, teaching the boy to make the truth serum and then testing it's effectiveness on the boy was an interesting prospective. It could be a learning experience, on both sides. He smirked but shook his head. Why do I want his trust and respect? I never cared about that, my Slytherins already trusted me. But young Albus does not. Severus furrowed his brows, gracefully perching on a stool to wait.
Severus frowned, some hours later, as his wards flared. He had decided to cast a ward to warn him of when the boy showed up again, so that the boy could not cause too much chaos without his knowledge. He left his quarters quietly and stalked into the potions lab. He watched silently from the doorway as the boy appeared and stumbled. Severus frowned, watching the boy grab hold of one of the tables. This wasn't right; the boy looked...Is that blood? He moved forward and grabbed the boy, steadying him. "Mr. Potter? Mr. Potter. Look at me Albus!" He snapped, guiding the boy into a chair. Severus brow furrowed, running a quick diagnosis spell on the boy. To have such injuries here... Albus' eyes fluttered open and he groaned. "P-professer?" "Don't move, Albus. "Severus soft reply came, as he quickly transformed the hard chair into a cot. Severus steadied the boy, helping him to lie down on the cot before moving quickly to the store room. He picked the necessary potions, taking them quickly back to Albus. He quickly cast a healing spell, waving his wand over the cuts on the boy's chest and arms. He frowned down at the boy, who was fluttering between being unconscious and consciousness. He cast a in depth diagnosis spell, watch the results. "Who did you vex, Mr. Potter? The cutting curse was mild, but the rest?" Worry flitted in the dark eyes, as his eyebrows knitted in concentration and his scowl darken. He gently raised the boy up and pushed a vial to his lips, tipping it into the boy's mouth. Although he was unconscious, his reflexes would still work. Two more potions, and Severus lowered Al back onto the cot. He has some explaining to do, hopefully his physical body is not worse off. Severus sighed, transforming a stool into an armchair and sitting down with a new potions magazine. There wasn't much he could do besides wait.