The moment they landed in the clean hospital wing Snape set Harry down on the bed he usually occupied, taking care not to hurt him worse. Madam Pomfrey nearly ran Snape over when she went to heal the rest of Harry's wounds, so he went to the other side of the bed.

Snape looked over to the corner of the hospital wing where Dumbledore was telling the Dursleys and Co. to stay where they were. Dumbledore was visibly angry and upset at the situation and the Dursleys didn't dare contradict him. The other teenagers looked more confused and scared than ever as they had absolutely no idea what was going on as did Harry's Aunt Marge. The other Dursleys seemed to suspect where they were but no one said anything.

Dumbledore walked over next to the bed where his most precious student lay unconscious and covered in bandages. He stared down at the sad sight for a few minutes before Snape's voice filtered through his ears.

"Albus, someone should inform Minervra and Lupin. They'll want to know abut this."

His voice was flat, like he wasn't thinking about what he was saying. He was still staring at Harry's pale and bruised face. It was also still covered in numerous scars and cuts. The smaller ones had already been healed.

"Yes, I suppose." Dumbledore replied quietly. He sounded depressed, like someone had died. He crossed over to the fireplace and threw a pinch of floo powder into the flames, making them turn emerald green.

*Like Lilly's eyes.* Snape thought sadly. He sighed. *Harry's eyes*. He was devastated at what had almost happened. Not even a month into summer and they almost lost him. Everyone was just starting to get over what happened at the Ministry. He couldn't believe he had ever hated Harry like he thought he did. Maybe he never really hated him to begin with. Harry was Lilly's son; Lilly's son who had been through much more than any child should ever have to deal with in two lifetimes, let alone less than half of one. He had never appreciated just how much of Lilly the boy had in him. He had, for too long, been blinded by his hatred towards James Potter he never even gave it a first thought.

Snape was brought out of his thoughts by the arrival of Remus Lupin and Minervra McGonagall. Neither of them appeared to have any idea of Harry's condition because they were looking at the headmaster for an explanation to his odd mood.

"Albus, what is wrong?" Professor McGonagall asked worriedly.

Dumbledore turned his head to the bed that Harry was lying on. His whole body was deathly limp and wrapped in white bandages. Professor McGonagall gasped and tears started to fall down her face.

"HARRY!" Lupin screamed. He ran to the side of his adopted godson's sickbed and knelt next to Snape who was sitting hunched and miserable looking in a chair. No one bothered to remind him to be quiet, they had all expected Lupin to lose it and he didn't disappoint.

"Albus what happened to him!? How did he get like this!?" he cried.

"It was child abuse Remus. Severus found him locked in a shed with grievous injuries. He also had snake venom in his blood. We're lucky. We almost lost him. We would never have a chance in the upcoming war if we had."

Dumbledore spoke quietly. That last part was only one of Dumbledore's worries. If Harry had died, they all would have lost something. A best friend, a brother, a son/godson, a grandson, a teacher, a leader, or even just a wonderful student. Dumbledore was sure that Harry never even really knew how much he meant to everyone. Heavens knows none of them ever showed him or even told him just how much he meant to them.

The room was quiet for several minutes while these words sunk in. Even their muggle guests were listening to the conversation and it confused them all greatly.

Finally Professor McGonagall broke the silence with one forced word.

"Who?"

She obviously didn't notice the rooms other occupants.

Snape mumbled something that no one understood.

"What was that Severus?" Lupin pushed quietly.

Snape growled a few well chosen words before mumbling angrily in a volume that everyone could understand, "Dursley".

"WHAT? NO!" Lupin screamed.

"Remus, please" began Madam Pomfrey half-heartedly but Lupin cut in again.

"Albus I thought he was supposed to be safe!" he cried

Dumbledore sighed weakly. "I know Remus; I thought he would be too. I'm sorry. I never dreamed that something like this would happen. I'm sorry."

Lupin just nodded weakly, tears were falling down his face now.

"Was it really the Dursleys Severus?" Professor McGonagall whispered disbelievingly.

"Yes Minervra. They beat him, starved him, tried to suffocate him and poisoned him. I don't think they wanted to deal with him anymore. They tried everything possible to kill him that was within there ability as a muggle without weapons." Snape's voice was dull and defeated sounding when he answered. He began to push Harry's raven hair back out of his face again, careful not to disturb the bandages that covered the gash on the side of his head.

"I'm sorry Albus." Severus said suddenly. He finally looked up from Harry's face to the Headmasters confused one.

Dumbledore looked at his potion masters face, clearly confused.

"Severus, what have you to feel sorry for? If it wasn't for you Harry might not have made it."

"No, but I shouldn't have delayed like I did. I might have been able to prevent further harm coming to Harry if I hadn't thrown a bloody fit about fetching him in the first place."

"No Severus. If it's anyone's fault its mine. I'm the one who placed him there in the first place. I should have listened to Minervra. She told me about them but I was only concerned with keeping Harry safe from Voldemort. I didn't stop to think that he wouldn't be safe from his own uncle."

"Would you two both stop it?"

Everyone stopped talking and turned their attention to the irritated matron.

"Now that I have your attention, both of you need to stop blaming yourselves. The only ones at fault are the incompetent muggles in the right corner of my hospital ward! There the ones that hurt Harry not you. Severus, you are not the one that poisoned him. Albus, you didn't try to beat him to death or starve him. That is the Dursley's fault, no one else's, and I will not tolerate you blaming yourselves any more than Harry would."

The headmaster sighed.

"You're right Poppy. Well….. what are we going to do about them?" He jerked his head in the direction of the Dursleys.

"Why are you asking us? You brought them here Headmaster." Snape sniggered.

"True. Um….I guess they will just have to stay here. Even the younger ones. They will all be targeted now that death eaters have probably already seen them."

Snape's eyebrows rose in question.

"Explain."

"Well obviously they're going to be thought of as acquaintances of Harry at the very least and –"

"No Dumbledore. I'm talking about what did you mean when you said that they have to stay here?"

"Exactly what I said Severus. The Dursleys and there guests will have to stay here during the school year. It's the only safe place for them."

"Muggles? Your letting Muggles stay here? In Hogwarts? Have you finaly cracked Dumbledore? How can you keep Muggles at Hogwarts?!"