Disclaimer: I do not own the creation of Harry Potter or anything to do with it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Thanks to Murgy31 and JWOHPfan for your opinions!
This part of my story ended up being a little too long, so I'm splitting it into two chapters. Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Detention Part One
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Dinner had been a noisy affair for Harry but despite only eating a scarce amount of food, he had coped a lot better with the vast number of people than he thought he would. Before he knew it, unfortunately, it was time for Snape's detention. Harry arrived at the office door and knocked loudly, still a few minutes early according to his battered watch.
"Enter." Harry opened the heavy door and closed it softly behind him.
"Evening Sir. I'm here for your detention… and the other reason you asked me to come to your office."
"Yes Potter – there is no need to state the obvious, you're wasting my time as it is. Be as that may, you are not here for a detention… yet," said Snape through gritted teeth. "The Headmaster insists that after the events of last year at the Ministry it is imperative that you make further progression in learning to control your emotions and mind. Therefore, despite me being aware how futile this is, you are here to continue occlumency with me every week until we are miraculously successful."
Harry stood still. Occlumency? Free access to his memories? Harry had somehow managed to obscure any more abusive stories containing Uncle Vernon last year, but taking into account the events having been so recent and having been so much worse than anything he'd ever encountered, Harry wasn't sure he'd be able to supress the memories coming to surface this time.
"I do not wish to continue occlumency with you, Professor Snape. My head is fine at the moment, my emotions are fine too, and I have had no connections with Voldemort. If that is all, I best be leaving," said Harry politely, his body turning back towards the door.
"Do not say his name! Oh yes Potter and I would so dearly beg the headmaster to let me tutor you out of teaching hours. You will do as I say boy."
Harry froze as his face went completely blank. Snape had paralleled Uncle Vernon's tone of voice entirely. This was not good. If Snape found out, he would tell Dumbledore whatever he didn't already know and the Press and use this information at his mercy to terrorize him even more. He could visualise the headlines 'Harry Potter, our so called saviour, unable to protect himself from mere muggles?'
"Potter?" said Snape, standing up from his seat. He walked towards the thin Gryffindor and stood directly in front of him. He quickly assessed the glamour; it was different to earlier, definitely reapplied, but just as atrociously as earlier. Severus decided to wait until after the Occlumency lesson before letting down the charm to find out what the insolent imp was hiding.
"Yes Sir."
Severus subtly took a step back. "You have no choice in this matter and nor do I. Clear your mind immediately so we can begin."
Unneeded memories abruptly began to flood Harry's mind. Ones he most certainly did not want the snarky Severus Snape seeing.
"Legilimens!"
Harry watched hopelessly as he was pulled into the unwanted memories. Harry tried his best to concentrate on a random memory, such as his first day at school, but it was all in vain. It was no use. He had barely eaten and he was in pain from all his hidden bruises and cuts; there was no energy left in him. Just managing to hold back tears, Harry fell with a collapse onto the ground.
Uncle Vernon charged through the kitchen door in his now oddly battered work suit like a bull aiming for a red material. Mr Dursley never ruined his suits. Harry, always unfortunately there at the wrong place at the wrong time, was in the kitchen, chopping red peppers.
"YOU LOST ME MY BONUS BOY." Uncle Vernon screamed angrily, swaying as he spoke.
Harry figured he was drunk. Since it was only the second week of the holiday, he still had some form of defiance in him.
"What are you on about? No-"
Uncle Vernon with a roaring rage snatched the knife out of his hand and with a wild look in his eye, slit Harry's neck.
It was as if Harry felt all the pain all over again. So that was what had happened. Snape immediately backed off at the sound of Harry's moan. He hadn't realised the brat had fallen to the floor.
Snape had ignored Potter's feeble attempt at changing the superfluous memories to his early days at school, but when he was pulled into one of Harry being harmed by this revoltingly large man, he was grudgingly impressed. He didn't know Potter could do that. Such an obscene thought – Potter being attacked whilst working in the kitchen.
"I'm intrigued Potter. I wouldn't expect someone with such a pea-sized brain to show that much intelligence – even more on your first lesson."
"What are you on about?" Harry spat forcing his aching body up from the ground; he was shaking from the amount the spell took out of him.
"The image you conjured you dimwit. That was something far more advanced than I thought possible of you at this present occasion given your skills at defending your mind last year. Perhaps losing the stupid mutt really did change your perception on necessary precautions," said Snape with a frown, watching Harry get up from the floor.
Harry's mind was racing; was Snape purposely being stupid? Or had he really not caught on that the memory was true? Could he just be lucky… this one time?
"Yes sir. I'm sorry, but I'm really tired after this. Please may I leave?"
"I believe that is enough for now. The Headmaster will be overly pleased to hear of your progress I'm sure; another reason for him to shower you praise and enhance his unhidden favouritism. Even though your occlumency lesson is over you horror, we still have your detention for falling asleep," replied Snape, heading back to his desk; now it was time to discover what Potter was really hiding.
Harry groaned putting his hands on his head. Snape could not help but notice two sharp cuts against Harry's throat. They were not there before… Were they?
"Potter come here, over to my desk and take a seat," said Snape in an even tone, conjuring a chair over to in front of his table, scattered with neat piles of homework.
Harry nervously approached Snape and sat down obediently. There was a look about Snape and he could not decipher what exactly it meant.
"Do you take me or any of the other teachers for a fool Mr Potter?"
"Excuse me Sir…?"
"Do I need to spell this out for you Potter? Do you take me for a fool?" sneered Snape, but Harry was feeling completely and utterly bewildered.
"Um, no Professor, I do not," Harry decided to reply, looking down at his shoes rocking on his chair slightly, very confused and hoping he didn't sound too insolent.
"I'd like you to look at me Mr Potter." Snape said softly, and before he barely managed to get a glimpse of Potter's inquiring expression, filled with wariness in his eyes, with a strike of his wand, Snape muttered the spell, anticipating the result with an uncontained satisfaction.
And it all happened in a glimpse of a moment, a huge flash and Harry fell to the floor with a crash; the magnitude of Severus' spell had paralleled the number of glamours Harry had placed on his face and body. A few short moments later he began to sit up slightly, realising immediately that the Potions master had just taken down all his defences. Not daring to make contact, Harry made a dash for the office door, but Snape was too fast for him and with a flicker of his wand, magically locked the door. Harry rattled and shoved the door a couple of times before kicking it hard in frustration. He didn't turn around however; half of his emotions had been overwhelmed by an unadulterated anger, the other half engulfed by a vast sense of embarrassment and fear. Harry refrained from wailing out as the anger inside him dissolved and was outweighed by an exceeding feeling of loss on what to do; he let out a small sob before leaning against the door, his back sinking to the floor until he sat down, his head bowed in his legs.
Severus watched Potter's tantrum by the door with mild amusement, but his smirk faded when he heard the spoilt brat sniffle by the door. He got up slowly, and walked towards the boy whose knees were pulled against his chest. But when Potter looked up, it was a sight Snape certainly was not expecting.
Severus Snape was rendered momentarily speechless, caught off guard for the first time in a very long time. Potter's face had a thick purple bruise across his right cheek, and a healing left black eye. But what was worse, there were vague pinking marks coming down Potter's neck and further down, hidden by the collar of his shirt. Snape cleared his throat.
"Care to explain your… situation Mr Potter?"
Harry shook his head softly and said quietly with his voice slightly shaking, "Sir, this is not a matter of which I wish to discuss with you, or anyone. If you would please open this door and allow me to leave, and forget this never happened." Harry then stood up and walked over to a table, and Snape, with a jolt, was able to get a clear view of the marks that were clearly increasing under his shirt.
"Mr Potter I can hardly just forget this condition you're in; wait here whilst I fetch the Headmaster," said Snape rolling his eyes, quickly recovering, deciding this was more a matter for the Headmaster than his Head of House, Professor McGonagall.
"No!" said Harry suddenly, leaning against the table. He blushed slightly, "You can't. Please Sir, not Professor Dumbledore, he of all people can't know about this."
"Why ever not Potter?" said Snape curiously; he would have thought the Headmaster would be one of the only ones Harry wouldn't mind disclosing this information to.
"Because, there's nothing he can do about it." said Harry stubbornly, not budging from his request, nor wanting to reveal any inner insecurities he felt regarding Dumbledore.
"Then you will have to simply put up with me seeking out the origin of these marks. Brawling within the castle even on the first day Potter?" though Snape knew deep down that this couldn't be true.
But Harry wasn't listening, "It's none of your business how this happened! It was wrong and out of order of you to take down my concealment charms without even consulting me first! Just don't – Just promise you won't tell Dumbledore." Harry had recovered from his initial weakness. He was unbelievably pissed off by the situation Snape had put them in. In all honesty, what right did Snape have to do that? Harry went for his wand in the pocket of his cloak, his hands clenching around it in frustration, glaring at Snape.
"Very well, on the condition you show me and explain what you're dealing with here," replied Snape curtly, glaring right back at Harry.
"Fine! I got into a fight with muggles, a bit of violence broke out and I didn't get let off that easily," said Harry lying defiantly, watching Snape's reaction.
"And are these your only marks from the common scuffle you involved yourself in?" said Snape suspiciously; surely this would not be matter to cause Potter's blubbering and such distress over anyone else finding out?
"Y-yes." Harry stuttered, his initial boldness faltering. Snape's eyes narrowed as a possibility swept over his mind in an instant.
"Very well. Finally, can you show me your neck?" said Snape finally, not daring to believe his own thoughts.
"You! No way!" exclaimed Harry, eyes wide.
"Potter…" Snape said warningly taking a step forward.
"N-no." Harry took one automatic step back, a mechanical fear kicking in.
"Potter. Just show me your neck. If there is nothing to hide, then where is the problem?"
"I- I can't." Harry took another shaky step back. He was going to tumble over the spare chair if he took another step backwards.
Snape took another firm step forward. "Mr Potter you're going to-"
Too late. Harry fell over the chair with a staggered cry. In the surprise of falling over Harry had exposed his neck. Much to Snape's morbid disbelief, there it was - two long cuts. One in the same place as the memory held.
Snape's mind was racing. Is it truly possible Potter was attacked in such a vile way?
"Who was that man?" Snape growled to Harry.
"N-No one Sir. I preten- this was from the fight with some muggles." Harry rambled, picking the chair up and slowly getting up from the floor once again.
"Do not lie to me!" Snape shouted, but calmed when Harry flinched.
"Is he one of your relatives that you live with?" Snape tried in his most gentle voice, however it sounded as though he was mocking him. Harry began to tremble. It was only the first day of the year, and already someone was about to find out – and what was worse it was his most hated Potions Professor. Ignoring Snape's question, Harry turned and began to walk towards the door.
Snape grabbed hold of Harry's arm to stop him, but as he clasped around Harry's bruised forearm, the Gryffindor gasped and quickly prised Snapes fingers off the circumference of his arm.
"Mr Potter, I believe you are lying to me. Remove your cloak and shirt immediately, or I will have to fetch the Headmaster."
"IT'S MY BUSINESS; NO ONE ELSES; ESPECIALLY NOT YOURS," shouted Harry suddenly glowering up at Snape as he nevertheless removed his cloak containing his wand.
"Of course if you won't speed up this process of undressing, I can easily disrobe you myself," Snape said easily, revealing his wand.
"Don't you dare. It's my business. It's not up to you! Please!" Harry said, his anger dissolving as quickly as it came, turning into the well-known ingrown fear he had been brought up surrounded by.
"I believe I must then." Snape said simply before producing the spell straight after.
Harry felt naked. There was hardly an inch of flesh that was not covered in bruises, welts, even a burn or two. They were mainly a mixture of blue and purple, but there was clearly an underlying of yellow, representing that they were older from a different occasion. Snape had to bite back a gasp. A second time caught off guard due to Harry Potter in one night.
"You need Madame Pomphrey," said Snape immediately, not bothering to hide his shock and disgust. This was not a muggle fight; there were too many aged wounds for this to be the case. Snape knew exactly where Potter had been this summer, and had startlingly come to the absurdly correct conclusion straight away. As hard as it was to believe, Potter had not been pampered and treated royally this past holiday as the Head of Slytherin had thought, and it was obvious Potter was suffering quite substantially as a result of his experiences. It surprised himself how angry he felt by this revelation.
"No! She'll tell Dumbledore, you know she will!" Harry cried, attempting to wrap his arms around his body. Despite it still being early autumn, there was a distinct chill in the dungeons, and Harry being topless was exposed to this.
Snape watched Harry carefully, assessing his situation. He had no clue as to why Potter was so adamant on not telling the Headmaster, but what did Snape care? He could have easily summoned Professor Dumbledore through the fireplace via floo and be done with him and his problem by now.
But he hadn't.
Inside, his heart was sinking. In front of him was the boy that he had made life living hell for the past five years, hating him for reasons that clearly didn't exist, and for a father he never knew. And now there was Lily's sister, Lily's sister, a woman he'd known since he had met his one and only love in his whole life, entrusted with the duty of guarding Lily's son, and this was the consequence of those years of Petunia's resentment. Something clicked in the Professor as he stood back and surveyed at the scrawny teenager he still disliked so very much in front of him. 'A duty, your repentance… for her,' a small nagging voice came rambling from within. Snape felt sickened by the volume of conflicting emotions within him. There was a pregnant pause.
"Then you will let me examine you myself," said Snape finally, his voice cold. "Come."
...
Chapter End
So that's all for this week; next time we're going to be looking further into Severus' analysis on Harry's condition and past, as well as Harry's take on the situation. I'm trying my best to keep Harry in character, he's a strong fella really and I don't want to make him too emotional. Dumbledore will also be making an appearance too!
To all the lovely people who are following at the moment - Please let me know in a review what you think so far and if there's anything you'd like to see!
Proudly wore my Ravenclaw scarf out in the winter cold today; felt incredibly happy! By the way – does anyone know why they changed Ravenclaw's bronze to silver for the films and merchandise? I really liked the combination of blue and bronze, but I guess silver is pretty good too.
Best wishes
Raiise