A Childs Redemption

By Yurushi-chan

Chapter 2: Trials of Truth

Severus Snape was not a happy man. They year had barely begun and already his world was being twisted and reversed by one Brat-who-lived. Was he doomed to never have a peaceful year as long as Harry Potter roamed the halls of Hogwarts? He prayed to what ever Deity existed that it wouldn't be the case. He sighed quietly to himself before casting a discreet tempus charm only to find that he had at least fifteen more minutes of watching inadequate Hufflepuffs destroy expensive cauldrons...joy.

'One would think...'he reasoned, his eye twitching as one Josh Kevinson added a diced Drapeweed Bulb too early. '...that the students would learn to follow directions after three years of having potent liquids explode in their faces.' He barely held back an annoyed groan as said student was covered in an itchy goo, his cauldron spilled over the floor.

"Ten Points from Hufflepuff!" snapped the thoroughly irritated teacher. "Miss Gregory if you would escort Mr. Kevinson to the hospital wing." he ordered. The Two third years rushed out of the room, with a quick "Yes Professor Snape", leaving him with the sticky mess on the floor. He narrowed his eyes then waved his wand banishing the slop and setting the standard pewter cauldron upright. Used to such interruptions the class hurriedly went back to their own work before their harsh Professor could take anymore points.

By the time ten more minutes had passed, he had sent no less then five more Hufflepuffs to the hospital wing, all with various aliments from their ruined potions. Frustrated with the students incompetence he released them early for once. Luckily it had been his last class of the day and he wouldn't have to deal with any more annoying adolescents until the marrow.

Severus set his jaw determinedly and set off at a swift pace to the Headmasters office. When he arrived, he found Draco asleep with a toddler Potter in his arms in a chair by the fire, and Dumbledore pouring over documents at his desk. He glanced down at his employers rested hands uncomfortably, the blackened fingers looking somewhat worse then they had this morning. He cleared his throat announcing his presence. The headmaster looked up his eyes weary, making him look older then normal. "Ah Severus my boy, your ready then?" The potions master nodded.

"I thought that I might start by asking a few questions of his friends." He suggested. Severus Snape understood why the headmaster would ask him to do the investigating. He out of all the staff had the most experience. He had dealt with many first year Slytherins who came from abusive situations, or had had at least a hard time at home.

Abuse came in many forms. Neglect, harsh words and physical violence were just some of the more well known. Some children who had Death Eater parents were made to sit under the Cruciatus, and Imperius curses for short periods of time. It was supposed to teach them discipline or some such nonsense. Others had been forced to take poisons that messed with their minds, and others still had been forced as little children to watch the torture of muggles. There was a good reason why Slytherins wore their cold masks.

And beyond all this Severus understood the pain first hand. It would be easiest for him to recognize the signs as such. He knew well that one type of abuse could not compare to another, it was evil to harm a child in such a way period. Wizarding children were especially protected by law. To hurt or to destroy a child was to destroy the wizarding worlds future after all. Most parents who hurt their children usually thought themselves above the law.

To add to the reasons he was doing this, because he would not do this with out something in return; the truth. He was beyond curious about this situation, had he truly judged wrong when it came to the boy? Was he truly not as spoiled as Snape had come to convince himself? Previous evidence, namely Potters impudence towards the potions master himself, did not lead him to believe he was in the wrong.

The green-eyed brat had not been meek and submissive as far as he could tell, he argued protested every step of the way when it came to detentions of house-point deductions...But then...Severuse had never been physically violent with the child. And besides that… He knew very well how it felt to be on the other end of the stick so to speak, and he could well remember doing all he could; to hide what vulnerabilities he had from the world. and would never wish it on another, not even Harry Potter, whom he felt was the very epitome of James son.

It was obvious to him that the first step was to find the truth was to find out about Potters home life from his closest friends. Normally Snape might have questioned them alone but in this case Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger would be more likely to answer his questions with the Headmaster present.

"Very well." agreed Albus. "I shall send a note with a house elf shall I?" Snape nodded and sank into the chair opposite his godson.

Now there was a matter he had tried to avoid thinking of. This was going to be very difficult. He had barely maneuvered Belatrix Black away from binding him to help Draco an unbreakable vow, but that had not kept them from forcing him to prove his loyalty by swearing on his magic that he would do everything in his power to help Draco in what ever his godson requested of him for the duration of the year. He would be there to supply the blond with what ever was needed. Narcissia and Belatrix had made a mistake however in thinking that he would inform the boy himself of the oath.

So Draco had remained ignorant and Severus had been safe. It was not that he didn't' want to help his godson, he had after all helped raise the boy, and felt that Draco was one of his few loved ones. But he could not sacrifice himself, his position for such a mission, not if he could possibly get Draco safely to switch sides.

And yet…here they were...with a Baby-boy-who-lived. He had nearly had a heart attack when he had first seen his godson carrying the brat. He could only pray that what ever the potion had done was not permanent or they were all doomed.

A knock came from the door puling Severus from his musings. The headmaster bid the knocker to enter and in came Potters two friends. Snape massaged temple before standing up and gesturing for the two of them to sit.

"Sir?" questioned the red head who was casting slightly freaked out glances at the sleeping Malfoy and the child.

"Pay them no mind, we shall explain in a moment." the dark haired man said smoothly. He really did not want to do this, just because he was the most experienced in such matters did not mean he wanted to be the one who had to listen to the stupid excuses of these idiotic children. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger I have a few questions for you if you don't mind?"

"Not at all Professor." Replied the girl as she sank into the chair her teacher had previously occupied. She elbowed her friend in the ribs and he quickly nodded and sat in the seat next to her. Despite his agreement Ron still looked defiant.

'We'll start with the easier question then.' Severus thought "Have either of you noticed anything odd with Mr. Potter after summer holiday at his home?" his voice was much softer then usual for he knew he was unlikely to get anywhere otherwise.

Both seemed undecided as to weather or not they should answer and it wasn't difficult to guess why. After all, he was the golden trios least liked teacher in the school. The "Snarky Bat of the Dungeons" the "Greasy Git Potions teacher". He had in fact built a reputation for doing everything in his power to make one Harry Potter miserable. So it was was not hard to understand why they were reluctant to disclose any of their friends weaknesses to him.

"Please answer as best you can." The headmaster chose to intervene. "We have reason to believe that Mr. Potter May have been abused whilst living with his relatives." The two friends exchanged a look of worry and the red head even went as far as to turn accusing eyes onto the headmaster.

The girl however, was quickest to speak her thoughts. "That does make sense…" she blurted out looking some what frightened at such implications. "I've read a good bit about abuse, mum and dad have to be kept aware incase any of their children patients show signs of stuff like that." She paused for a moment as if to gather her thoughts before continuing. "It actually fits… He is always really skinny when we first see him after summers, some times he is really pale to, like he hasn't seem much sun. I-I always thought it was just stress." She admitted her eyes tearing up slightly.

To both adults surprise it seemed that Ron had made his own observations. "Kids who're abused and stuff, they don't like physical contact do they?" he asked suddenly. At Severus' confirmation he nodded. "Yeah, Harry has never initiated a hug or nothing, when mum hugs him I've seen him pull away right quick every time. I went out pat him on the back once back in first year and he nearly jumped out of his skin. I just thought he didn't like people touching him, never thought 'bout why." He stopped looking as if he was going to say something he'd rather not think about. "I went to see him after a quiditch match once. Caught him while he was showering… I completely forgot it till now because we had a party after…but…" Ron licked his lips. "I think I remember there being a bunch of stripes across his back, like scars or something…" he stopped there shaking his head.

"God I didn't even think…I mean how could they…"

"Have either of you ever been to Mr. Potters house?" Seveus asked the second question not having the patience to deal with the child's guilt. To his surprise however, it seemed that the boy had an answer yet again. His hesitation prompted Severus to speak. "I assure you what you say in here, if it was against the law or rules will not be used against you in anyway." he said quickly urging the freckled boy on. He had not expected such observations from the two, it seemed they saw more then he first thought…still there was a very good possibility they were only thinking of these things to make them fit what they had heard, one of the reasons he had not wanted to tell them what was wrong at first.

"Well, I did once back in second year." Ron hesitated again and glanced at Dumbledore who gave him a nod of encouragement. "Well...you remember the flying car? The one that Harry and me crashed into the Womping willow?" Ron flinched at his own words. " Well, back in summer after first year, Fred and George had this great idea that we should use it to pick up Harry. You see, he had promised to owl me that summer but I got worried when no letters came. I remembered that on the train that he had said that his Aunt and Uncle absolutely hated him. I thought they might of kicked him out or something see?"

The boy was full throttle into his tale now. "Well the twins figured how to get the thing running and we headed over. When we got there, it was horrible, poor bloke." the boy paused and Hermione rubbed his arm soothingly it seemed as if she had never been told this story. "There were bars on his window, and he looked so thin, w-we pulled the bars off with the car and the twins went to get his things, apparently they were locked in a cupboard or something. So anyways we busted him out and took him home." Ron finished. There was a silent pause in witch he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What's this all about anyhow? Why now, after all these years are you so worried?"

Severus had no answer for the boy, he too had similar questions. If it was true, and Potter had been mistreated by his family, then what could be said about they who had not seen it? I t unnerved him that a student in his care could have been missed in such a situation. So he ignored the boy and his question and moved on, "And you Miss Granger?" he prompted. She shook her head.

"No, I asked if I could come for a visit once, we really don't live that far from each other, maybe an hours drive. He said it wouldn't be a good idea. I would have called him last summer but, well after Ron shouted at Mr. Dursley over the phone, I didn't think it would be a good idea either."

Snape eyed the two students thinking over what they had said carefully. He was trying to keep an as objective viewpoint as possible. He searched his memories for any indication that the student in question feared his relatives and to his shame realized a few key points. Potter had never gone home during winter break in all five years he had attended Hogwats…and he could remember at least once when he had heard the boy begging to stay at school for the summer. Still, he would need hard evidence if he was to completely accept this.

"The child…" he pointed to Draco and Harry. "…is your friend…"and with that he turned towards the fireplace, purposefully ignoring the students reactions.

"You will have to use Arabella Figgs floo Severus, I have already informed her of your visit." Albus called after him. The potions master nodded then grabbed a good handful of powder from the pot on the mantle then stepped into the green flames. He stated the address clearly before tossing the powder down and disappearing in a flash of light.

Arabella Figg was sitting on her sofa with her beloved cat on her lap when Severus arrived. She gave him a crooked smile and offered him tea which he refused. He looked the older woman over wondering if she had any of the information he was seeking.

An hour or so later he left the house with hardly more facts then he had arrived with. She had been the one assigned to watch over the boy? It was no wonder Albus had been so ignorant of the situation; the woman was obviously beyond incompetent! How was she supposed to give accurate monthly reports, when the squib only saw Harry, at most, once a week? Still, he had learned; that the Dursleys usually left Harry in her care often three or even four times a week before he had begun attending Hogwarts.

He strode down the street, his frustration building. At least he would be able find some truths here, there were always signs in the home…always.

It took less then a minute to reach Number Four Privet and he was quick to knock on the door, eager to get this over with. It was a woman who answered and it was only then whom he realized who had actually been Potter's care taker. It had been one thing to hear it, but entirely another to see the woman face to face once more.

"Mrs. Dursley?" he inquired snidely. He actually had little problem imagining Tuney Evens loathing Lilly's child. She had been insanely jealous of her sister and that jealously had morphed into a deep rooted hatred. Why Albus thought the chosen one would be safe with her was beyond him and he would be sure to confront the wizard upon his return.

She frowned as she looked him up and down obviously not recognizing him. Well, it had been well over fifteen years since they had last seen each other. "Who are you, one of them?" she snapped rudely. Severus felt rather defensive at her tone, though he knew he should have expected it. "I am not sure what you mean." he waved the accusing tone away." I am the potions master of Hogwarts and.."

"I was right, your one of those freaks!" She interrupted looking rather horrified. Severus glared. A freak? He begged to differ.

"Mrs. Dursely!" he began defensively. "I…" To his ire he was once again interrupted.

"Neither me, nor my husband want anything to do with…your kind!" Severus felt his eye twitch.

"None the less, I am here to speak with you about the happenings with your nephew." He snapped right back at her. Petunia Dursley glanced around nervously. He was willing to bet she was embarrassed at his presence on her door step.

"I told you, we're not interested." She repeated her voice rising in agitation. Severus would have none of it.

"Madam. I assure you, I am not leaving until I have the chance to speak with you."

She sighed a bit defeated. "Very well, but get inside before the neighbors become curious." She relented, though looked at him as if it was his fault he had not come in sooner.

He allowed himself to be ushered inside and took his time looking around the lounge as she made herself comfortable on the couch. He looked around carefully not wanting to miss a thing. Strangely, it was something about the pictures bothered him. He just couldn't pinpoint what exactly.

"Now what has that boy done this time? I'm honestly surprised I didn't get a house call much sooner." Severus rose an eyebrow at that.

"And why is that Mrs. Dursley?" he asked decided not to sit, but rather stand in front of her.

"Well, you can't tell me he is not a trouble maker." She scoffed, smoothing out her flowered skirt as she spoke. "He never even tries to finish the few chores while at home, always complaining about one thing or another. If he can't finish things at home there no way he could at school. Failing most of his subjects at that freak school of his I'll bet too, the lazy idiot."

Severus shook his head. "That is not why I am here." He disagreed. He wasn't sure he liked how the woman spoke of Hogwarts, or him. Annoyed with her rude comments he decided to just be done with it. He discreetly pulled out his wand and pointed it at her. He had decided ahead of time he was going to the beginning first.

"Legilimens!"

Petunia Dursley had just set out her little Dudders things for breakfast, her boy sitting in a high chair as his father drank his morning coffee. "Watch him for a moment, wont you sweetums?" she called to her husband as she walked down the hall and to the front door. The milk should have been there by now. She open the door and was about to retrieve them when she saw the basket…and the child with in.

Motherly instinct immediately over took her and she gathered the basket into her arms. The poor thing, but what was it doing out here? She went inside leaving the milk for later. "Vernon?" she called as she walked back into the kitchen. "Look what I found on the front porch!" she said showing the large man the bundle.

"What in the world?" he said, his normally beady eyes wide in shock. Petunia sat the basket on the table and pulled the babe out and into her arms. As she held the child close she could smell he needed his nappy changed, and did not notice the letter slip to the floor.

Vernon, however saw it and snagged it from the tiles. He read it over, his demeanor becoming increasingly darker the further he got. "Petunia?" he shouted, red faced as he finished.

Petunia turned away from the counter, finished with changing the baby, walked over to her husband a confused look on her face. "What is it?" she asked frowning slightly at his tone. He simply held out the letter to her. She set Harry down and took it whilst he crossed his arms.

Once she was finished her face was pale white and she was looking at her husband frantically. "Maybe he will be normal." She suggested, though her tone was heavy with doubt.

The next few days flashed by as Severus looked on. He saw them give the child the second, smaller bedroom. And take care of him, albeit grudgingly. Then two weeks later, Severus saw the change.

"You FREAK!" the beefy man shouted purple faced into his almost two year old nephew face. The child began to cry.

"You do not do such things in my house! Scared my boy near to death you did! Hovering that bear over his head!" he slapped the child across the face as Petunia watched on, disdain obvious in her eyes.

"We feed you, and cloth you, and this is thanks we get?" the man was huffing and puffing now. "I'll have none of it in my house!" he growled and roughly shoved the toddler into the cupboard beneath the stairs.

Severus pushed forward a few years.

Petunia was sitting in the kitchen sipping tea as she read a book. Beside her Young, four year old Harry stood on a stool at the counter, chopping onions. Already Severus could see the obvious signs of abuse. A black eye, bruises about the arms, and when he looked closely he could see signs that the child's wrist was likely fractured.

He watched on in horror as Harry accidentally cut his hand. Petunia heard his cry of pain and zeroed in on him. "You nasty little thing!" She screeched angrily. "Blood all over them, you might as well have ruined my best cutting board too!" she complained shoving the child to the floor. She dumped his work in the bin and spent the next hour scrubbing the board clean. When her husband got home she immediately told him what happened. He knew he would not have to review Vernon Dursely's memories to know what would happen because Petunia just watched as he laid fist after foot on the child's breaking body then shoved him into the cupboard. He knew now that this was the reason for the current Harry's hurts. The match was exact, Albus had been right.

Again Severus pushed forward. He went though memory after memory, and eventually started skimming them, not wanting to seem any more details.

Finally Severus pulled out, shaking in anger and sick to his stomach. He looked around the living room again, but this time he knew what was wrong. It was as if only one child lived there. Pictures covered the walls, most of a very pudgy child who he knew now as Dudley Dursley. The others were of Mr. and Mrs. Dursley.

Wanting one bit of solid proof he stood and strode past the now unconscious Petunia Drusely. She would have a massive headache when she awoke, but he did not care in the least. He went on to the stairs and glared at the small door of the cupboard. Steeling himself he wretched it open and looked inside. Sure enough there was a small coat stained reddish brown with what could only be dried blood. A sour smell met his nose, and he would bet it was from Potter wetting himself when locked inside for days on end.

Severus could feel his heart beat quickly as he stomped up the stairs and to the only door with multiple locks on it. He yanked that one open too and stared on in sorrow at the pitiful excuse for a living space.

He turned lightly green from the nausea that had built up from the memories. They hit much, much too close to home. He hurried out of the room then out of the hose. This was wrong, totally and utterly sick and wrong. No one deserved this childhood; he could not even wish it upon the Dark Lord himself. It was too cruel, much too cruel. Severus would see the Durselys hang for this. He stumbled in his hurry fro Arabellas house. HE did not knock he simply went in.

"Severus?" The old woman called after him, but he did not respond. He simply grabbed a handful of Floo powder from the mantle and tossed it in before stepping in himself and vanishing.

He forced his mask down as he arrived back in the head masters office. He forced himself to be calm and collected. The teens and child were still there when he arrived, though he knew that it had been hours since he had left. It had been dark when he had crossed back to with squibs house. Albus it seemed, had been speaking with them.

Four eyes turned on him expectedly and he could suddenly feel the weight of the situation on his shoulders again. He hoped that Dumbledore had a pensive ready.

The Durselys would pay, he would make sure of it personally if he had to.

Severus bit his cheek in an uncharacteristic display of discomfort.

"It is worse, then you have feared Albus." He said darkly looking at the ground as he spoke, his hair curtaining his face, hiding his absolute fury. He heard the students moans of grief and the headmasters disappointed sigh.

"Then I must work hard to make what amends I can…" Albus said, his voice quite though Severus knew him to be just as angry as he.

Yes…the Dursleys would not get away with their sins, they would pay.