"Hello Hermione. Cho," Draco briefly acknowledged during Astronomy, after lunch. He was still a bit uncomfortable with the two Ravenclaws, but wanted to know more about what they talked about with his friend.

"Hello Draco. Where is Harry? He said he was off to find you?" responded Cho, just as briefly. She too was unsure of Draco.

"He went to Madame Pomfrey for a calming drought, he was really upset," Draco began, "What exactly did you say to him?"

"Well, he had assumed his fame was a joke going around the entire school. His aunt and uncle had told him his parents died in a car accident," Hermione spoke shakily. She watched worriedly as Draco turned away and headed quickly back towards the castle.

Professor Snape stood at the door of the dormitory. He had been told by Professor Sprout that one of his Slytherins had missed her class that afternoon. On top of that, he watched the boy in question disregard his meal expectations on three separate occasions so far – and it was only the second day. Did the kid think he could do whatever it is he wanted because his last name was Potter? He was probably just as arrogant as his father.

Before he could make his way across the room, a hand touched his sleeve. It was the hand of his godson, Draco. He spun around and looked to the boy carefully. What was going on?

"U-u-uncle Sev," his small voice began, "I think something is happening with Harry. Something really wrong." Draco had little tears starting to appear in his round eyes, and Severus couldn't help but kneel down in front of the boy for a hug. He had been watching over Draco since birth, being close to the boy's mother and father since his own childhood.

"What is it, Draco?" he asked, concern starting to make its way to the front of his mind. He was a prideful man, but nothing got in the way of the safety for one of his first years.

"He doesn't eat real well. I don't think he can – he's always saying he's not hungry. His pajamas are really old and dirty. They hang down on him because they are so big – and he is also really little. Much smaller than any of us. I don't think his glasses work either; he can never read anything on the board. He always just looks over at my notes. And, last night I saw he had marks on his arms and legs. They were really bad, I think he was in an accident," Draco continued on, now crying as he let out the words, "And today was the first time anyone told him about his mom and dad. He thought they died in a car crash when he was a baby – that's what Hermione and Cho said. He asked them during lunch why everyone kept pretending he was famous. Harry thought it was a joke everyone was playing on him. He went to go take a calming drought when he found out the truth."

Severus sat listening to his godson. Yes, he noticed the small framed boy and lack of appetite as well. He had actually planned on asking Harry about it first thing – though would have brought him to Madame Pomfrey to deal with if the boy didn't answer. It was the second part that really got to him. He knew Petunia wasn't that friendly with the wizarding world, but to not even acknowledge her own sister's death for the sake of the boy? To not speak of the love Potter's mother had for him? Anger swelled as he gave Draco another hug before ushering him out so he could talk with Harry alone for a bit.

Severus pulled back the heavy curtain and looked down to Harry. He looked just like James. The professor shook the shoulder of the boy, "Mr. Potter, it is time to wake up. We need to have a talk." Harry groaned in return, rolling further into his blankets.

Severus's stomach dropped when Harry's eyes opened slowly. They were definitely Lilly's, and looked up to him in quite a bit of fear. "Mr. Potter, we need to have a discussion," he stated.

"Y-y-yes sir," Harry replied.

"I have talked with a few others, and am concerned about your wellbeing. Tell me about home, Mr. Potter," he began the conversation.

Harry seemed dismayed with the words, not wanting to talk about anything. He was embarrassed about his family, and didn't want his professor to know that he was a naughty kid at home. Flushed red, he replied shortly, "There isn't really much to tell professor. It's as normal as any other."

Severus watched the emotions flicker quickly across the boy's face before disappearing just as fast. There was something he was hiding, "Well, I know for certain – without even the validation from Madame Pomfrey – that you are malnourished. You are missing classes and meals, as well as having trouble seeing the board in the classroom. I am going to have to take you in for a check-up with the Mediwitch Mr. Potter – at the very least. I will find out about what is going on, and it would be better for you to tell me yourself."

Harry's stomach turned in every which way. He only shook his head while trying to hold in the tears. This had happened once while he was in elementary school. Harry was sent to the school nurse for bruises on his wrists – only later to be called a liar by his aunt and uncle. The school and social services believed them over himself, and he didn't get food for a week after that. Harry wasn't going to risk it with this new school.

Severus grew frustrated with the young boy, and grabbed at his elbow. Together they walked to the Mediwitch, neither saying a word on the way there. He had already notified Poppy of his concerns with a whispered patronus before waking the boy. She was waiting for them when they entered.

Madame Pomfrey was a force to be reckoned with, still scaring even Severus once in a while. Her stone features lightened strikingly though, as she kneeled down in front of Harry. She smiled a bit, and without even saying anything she traced his small features with her crooked wand. Outlining his frame, she stopped to take notes along the way on a floating notepad. She hummed quietly a song that her own mother use to sing. The boy was in very bad shape.

Harry watched, enchanted by the witch in front of him. She looked older, but wore a youthful smile. He relaxed at the tune passing through him, knowing there wasn't anything to hide from her. Taking her offered hand, he walked slowly to one of the covered beds.

She unbuttoned the uniform, uncovering the boys back and shoulders. Taking in the ugly gashes and bruising, Poppy's stomach turned itself into a knot. Harry had been through quite a bit throughout the past few years. She told him to take a seat on the cot, before going off to talk with the professor.

"How bad is it, Poppy?" Severus asked. He knew something was off when the boy wouldn't talk to him, and understood quite well his will to keep quiet. It was a good thing he didn't trust too easily.

"Countless broken ribs, though they were healed naturally and incorrectly a while ago, extreme malnutrition, a broken wrist and fractured femur, as well as a concussion. Numerous bruises suggest a bat, belt, and hand. There is a recent cigarette burn on his shoulder, as well as multiple burn scars on his hands," she began, "He is going to need a lot of work Severus. I will not be letting him go back to that place." Her face turned back to stone. This was the look that could scare any witch or wizard off, and Severus had no doubt she would remain true to her word. Thankfully he was not in opposition to the powerful woman. He only nodded and asked of the treatment.

Harry sat quietly on the cot, hoping to hear some of what the adults were talking about. He grew anxious when all that came through were short whispers. After a moment of silence, the curtain drew back with a reappearing Mediwitch.

Poppy held multiple salves in her gown, and pulled out the first useful one. It would bring down the bruising. She rubbed the cool purple gel between her fingers and began her sweet humming.

Harry felt the coolness on his skin, sighing immediately in appreciation. It made the aching go away, almost completely. He couldn't remember the last time he hadn't felt an ache. It was spread all over his torso and arms – then onto his skinny legs. He watched as Madame Pomfrey's sweet notes rang through the air, calming any anxiety he had felt only moments before. Harry wondered if there was magic in her song.

Poppy closed tight the first lid, and opened next the burn salve. This one had an aloe base – something the muggles had actually first considered. She then moved onto the potions. The first was for the broken and fractured bones. It would correctly heal them, though would need to re-break the older injuries.

She laid back the boy, and ran her fingers through his hair. He looked just like her James. James found his way into her infirmary almost every week when at school. Harry's eyes closed momentarily at the soothing sensation. When he opened them, she held her breath at how much they looked like his mother. Lilly was one of her finer students, helping in the infirmary for almost the same amount of hours James had found himself in there. She began to sing out quietly her lyrics to the old song, watching as the boy's eyes fluttered closed. She dipped the potion vial to his mouth, and he voluntarily accepted it. She continued the singing and movement of her hands, knowing the moment his bones re-broke themselves.

Harry couldn't help the tears when he felt the sharp pains in his sides. He tried to focus on the song, it helped him to relax further into the mattress. There was another few bottles put to his lips before he fell deeply asleep.

"That'll do for now," Poppy stated. The last potions were for malnutrition, to be taken daily until she saw fit, pain, and sleep. She slipped another in there that would do a sweep for any infections, "Let the boy sleep, Severus. I gave him a sleeping drought that should last until tomorrow. It's no use keeping the boy awake while the potions are working their way through his system. Too much pain."

Poppy pulled the sheets over Harry, and shut the thin drapes. Severus only nodded before turning to leave.

"Be gentle with the boy, Severus. I know you understand the circumstances; all too well might I add. You know the anxiety he is feeling. It will take a lot of work, emotionally and physically, before he is well again."

Severus nodded and closed the door behind him, before making his way towards the headmaster's office. They were going to have a very long conversation.