A/N: Yay! Chapter 4! Harry is sorted in here and Harry and Sev have some bonding/healing time.

Um, there's a semi descripted child abuse flashback too so... for those who dont like that you might wanna skip that part.

Harry had woken up warm and thankfully pain free. The bed he was laying on was one of the most comfortable beds he had ever slept on and it seemed a sin to even think of getting up. He snuggled down into the blankets and let out a contented sigh.

"Don't get too comfortable. You have potions you need to take." Severus was sitting in his chair by the fire reading. He started when he heard the boy sigh and quickly got up to get the potions the boy had to take.

"Idonwanagedup," the boy mumbled.

Severus chuckled and leaned over the small figure. "You need to get up and take these and then we need to talk."

Harry opened his eyes and took the proffered potions wincing as he swallowed each nasty concoction. "Why do potions always taste so icky?" Harry sat up in the bed and waited nervously for the unavoidable conversation.

"I was able to get rid of most of the scarring. You had a two broken ribs and a concussion." Severus sighed trying to find a way to go about breeching the subject. "There were – other injuries, old scars and bruises. I know you were mistreated with those Muggles. I want to know what they did to you."

"No, you don't." Harry shook his head. He did not want to reveal that blackened part of himself to his Uncle Severus. He didn't want his Uncle Sev to be exposed to how much of a freak he really was. "You'd hate me if you knew."

"Highly unlikely. I am the Slytherin head of house. I work with the children of Death Eaters. I am used to hearing these things."

Harry looked down into his lap and took a deep breath. "Aunt Petunia was never that bad. She would only call me names: freak, putrid, disgusting, vile, etcetera. Uncle Vernon… he didn't stop at the words. It started with hitting, then it went to hitting and whipping and…" Harry took a deep breath trying to calm himself. Severus had already moved onto the bed to give a reassuring presence.

"Continue."

"He would make me make me take pictures."

Pictures… Severus could feel his blood pressure steadily rising. "What kinds of pictures?" He all but snarled.

Harry looked up shocked at Severus' voice. He knew he shouldn't have said anything. "I- it w-was.."

"I'm not mad at you Harry. Just – continue."

Harry closed his eyes. He could still remember the first time it happened. "Uncle Vernon never took pictures of me… He said I was too disgusting. He didn't want the freak tainting his precious camera." Harry paused. "I was nine. Aunt Petunia and Dudley had gone out for his birthday and were staying at some fancy hotel. It was just me and him…"

::Flashback::

"Boy, get up here!" Vernon yelled from the landing at the top of the stairs.

Harry hurried up the steps just wanting to go back into his cupboard and sleep. "Yes Uncle Vernon?"

The fat man pushed him to the bedroom his Aunt and Uncle shared. " Get in there"

Harry hurried in the room and glanced about nervously. Oh, Merlin, what did I do this time? He wondered nervously. He had never been sent to their room before.

Vernon walked in and locked the door behind him. "Strip," was all he said.

"W-why?"

"Listen to me or I swear you will never see that faggot uncle of yours again."

Harry hurried to take off his clothes. Anything to make sure he saw Uncle Severus again. He stripped until he was only in his pants shivering.

"Those too." The man growled dangerously.

Harry's hands started shaking more. He knew this wasn't right. He knew for whatever reason this act was degrading. His mum and dad never made him do it. Harry had tears falling down his cheeks by time he was completely bare.

His uncle only leered. "Get on the bed. Lay back."

Harry did as he was told and his uncle pulled out his precious camera.

::End Flashback::

"He told me I wouldn't ever see you again if I told anyone." Harry was sobbing uncontrollably now. Severus wrapped the small boy in his arms and let him cry.

"How often did this happen Harry?"

"Whenever Aunt Petunia left. He would do it even if Dudley were there. He would just make him play outside."

Severus' grip tightened. How could Albus let this happen? He had promised to protect the boy because Severus could not. And now Dumbledore had not only betrayed Severus, but also Harry, the worlds last hope for salvation, as well.

It was hours later before Harry had woken up after falling asleep in Severus' arms from exhaustion and long-winded confessions, which, Harry found, were quite cleansing. Harry stiffened as he felt the arms around him. He had momentarily forgotten where he was.

"You're all right Harry." Severus' smooth voice washed over the younger mans body draining the tension.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep on you."

"It's really no problem. Although, I do believe I missed the sorting."

"When am I going to be sorted?"

Severus paused. He had temporarily forgotten Harry was a student. "Would you like to do this now?" He asked looking down at the green-eyed boy.

Harry shrugged. "Does the Headmaster have to see it?"

"Yes."

"Might as well do it now then."

Severus untangled himself from the boy who had still been attached to his side. "Give me a moment and I will contact him." Severus padded out of the room leaving Harry to his thoughts.

Ok, think. You can control yourself. Harry took a deep breath and started thinking of a plan. Ok, the old man obviously doesn't think I remember. That can work to my advantage… How, though, I'm not sure.

"Harry my boy!" Dumbledore walked through the door wearing deep purple robed with bright yellow moons and carrying an old hat.

"Headmaster." Harry said politely with a nod of his head.

"Well, let us begin. Just put this hat on your head Harry and it will call out the house you will go to."

Harry nodded shifted to the edge of the bed and allowed the Headmaster to place the musty hat on his head.

'Mr. Potter, I'd wondered when you would be joining us.' The hat thought to him.

'Um, hi.'

'Now, let's see. Plenty of courage, smart, cunning, and a thirst to prove yourself- Why Mr. Potter, do you want revenge?'

Harry scowled at the hat. 'Look, just put me in Slytherin okay?' That was the house Harry had wanted since Sev told him he was the Slytherin head of house.

'Slytherin, eh? You would be great in Gryffindor, your bravery and loyalty would prove a great asset to the Lion house.'

'No. I'm fine with Slytherin thanks.'

The hat seemed to laugh at that. 'Very well.' "Slytherin!"

Dumbledore's eyes went from twinkling to just plain pissed in a two second time span. "That cannot be," he whispered.

Severus was actually grinning. "Actually, Headmaster, I do believe Mr. Potter just proved that it is. Come Harry, I have to make a start of term speech. I can introduce you to the Slytherins afterwards."

Harry grabbed Severus; hand and walked out with a pleased smile on his face. "I pissed him off didn't I" He asked when they were outside the common room portrait.

"I do believe you did." Severus chuckled. "Pride." Severus said and walked Harry through the portrait hole.

Meanwhile Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office planning. "Fawkes I do believe Mr. Potter may need some discipline should he prove to be a problem."

The Phoenix just gave a low trill as he watched his master smile with an evil glint in his eyes.

A/N: Okay so we had some Sev/Harry bonding and mean kniving Dumbledore. And now we have Sytherin!Harry! Yay!! Ok I'm done. Time for dinner.