Author's note: This is still part of the flash back in case that is not clear. No corporal punishment yet, but probably next chapter.

Beloved Child Chapter Three

From last chapter…

Severus just stared at the Greatest Wizard of His Age like he had gone nutters! He was light headed and having trouble seeing straight. He hurt so that this surreal speech from the headmaster must be a hallucination. His ebony eyes shifted from the extended wand to the blue concerned filled eyes before him twice before he was engulfed in darkness.

The wizen man reached forward just in time to receive the unconscious boy, quickly scooping him into his arms. He was so much lighter than he had expected. As he searched the face cradled against his chest he realized how peaceful and impossibly young he seemed without his trademark sneer in place.

Albus leaned down and whispered to the youth in his embrace. "This I promise you. You will never be adrift again. I will shelter you and ensure your faith in me."

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"Poppy!"

The forceful voice of the headmaster called out urgently as he abruptly stepped through the floo. He let out a deep breath as the Mediwitch came sprinting from her office. Suddenly relieved that the healer never seemed to sleep, the headmasters' arms tightened protectively around the younger wizard.

"Severus!" She gasped, bring a hand to her mouth, frozen for a moment before her training took over. "What has happened to him, Albus?"

She motioned for him to bring him to the private room nearest her office.

"Death Eater meeting- he is bleeding and passed out a few moments after giving his report-" he began as he laid his burden down gently.

"I can bloody well see that! A crimson stain was clearly visible beneath the lad. Madame Pomfrey interrupted in a shrill voice. "Why did you not bring him to me straight away? Her eyes flashed as she brought her wand up. For a moment it looked like she just might hex the older wizard.

Her question went unanswered as he her wand movements cast a diagnostic on her patient. She frowned deeply, "He's lost a great deal of blood and he has been in a considerable amount of pain for some time. At least one Cruciatus curse, two broken ribs, numerous contusions, some internal injuries as well -Accio blood replenishing potion -

Albus, take these keys and retrieve the Class 4 Pain Away potion, itis the locked cabinet behind my desk, and make haste. I must stop the bleeding, he really should go to St. Mungo's , but…she trailed off as she set to work repairing the battered body before her.

Having located the necessary potions, the headmaster hurried back to assist Poppy. He was thankful that it was the day before the Easter holidays so no one had to witness Poppy ordering him around. Though he was quite willing to help, it was embarrassing being treated like a schoolboy again. Yet everyone knew the school was run by Albus Dumbledore; BUT it was no secret that Madame Pomfrey ruled the hospital wing. And as overbearing as she was at times, she was irreplaceable.

Poppy had just finished closing off the wound from what looked like a Cutting Curse when the headmaster returned. The matron had removed the lad's shirt and cast a cleansing spell producing a moan to escape the boys' lips.

"Here sit behind him and give him the Blood Replenisher while I spell the pain potion directly into his system. The white haired wizard immediately obeyed. Drawing the younger man against his chest as he coaxed the viscose potion down his throat. Relief flooded his as he felt the ridged body relax as the pain potion took affect. Once again guilt assaulted him as he caught a glimpse of the teens back when he went to lay him down.

"Poppy, Wh-What are all this scars from?" the headmaster stammered uncharacteristically. These were injuries he would expect Order members, like Mad- Eye, to sport certainly not a lad in his late teens. The ghostly pale skin only accentuated the criss crossing pink lines littering his back. Who could do this to a child?! Disciplinewasone thing, but to purposelyleavepermanent marks was entirely different.

"Does it really matter, he is no longer a student here, headmaster." Poppy replied curtly as she wearily sunk into the nearest chair. The healing had taken a lot out of her.

"What?! Of course, it matters I want to know who did this," the wizard gestured indignantly towards the scars.

"You know perfectly well I am not at liberty to discuss my patients with any unauthorized person or persons. Had he still been a student you would have the right to know… perhaps had you shown the same concern then you would not be puzzled now."

"Poppy, I am sure Severus would want me to know-" coaxed the old man slyly.

"And, I am certain that he would not, Albus." The headmaster made as if to retort but the healer raised her hand. "No, Albus, I am not at liberty to speak of this. If Severus wishes you to know then so be it. I will not repeat the hurt that child went through in his fifth year when he realized you were not fit to be trusted. Her eyes fitted with tears as she almost choked at the last words" He would not even trust me completely after that! It is little wonder that he ran to He Who Must Not Be Named shortly after.

"Are you saying this is my fault?!" Albus sputtered indignantly.

Poppy's eyes narrowed as she replied, "I am saying, headmaster, had you taken my accounting of his injuries and the bullying which I reported on three separate occasions over two years in to account, that child would have been spared a great deal of pain.

With those words the mediwitch turned to retrieve the Skele-Gro Severus would need to repair his ribs, leaving a stricken headmaster in her wake. Serves him right, she thought, he should feel guilty for not aiding the child when he could.

Her thoughts returned to Severus with a sigh, even with the Class 4 potion it would be a long, painful night for him. Perhaps there is something more I can do she pondered pulling out a pair of silk green pajamas and giving a half smile.

Later that night…

"There, there-You'll be alright" Poppy whispered soothingly while placing an object on the nightstand.

The teen had been sleeping fitfully for the past hour. Her heart went out to the youth. How could Albus allow this boy to be tortured repeatedly at the hands of that monster? Was it not bad enough the damage his own father cast on him? Then to be bullied by those Marauders…she wondered how he hadn't gone insane by now.

The mediwitch stroked the silky hair from the child's sweaty brow. "Mummy?" a small voice murmured hopefully through a potion induced haze. Startled, Poppy hesitated a moment before rubbing his back. She knew from experience that even at eleven years of age the young wizard cringed from any form of physical contact. Knowing his mum, Eileen Prince, from her own school years. Eileen had been in her house. She knew that he was safe and loved by her at least. While not overly affectionate she was a fair, kind mother who tried to provide for him. A mother who died far too soon leaving Sev in the hands of a cruel drunken father. The healer carded her fingers through his hair again. "Hush, now…I am with you. Just rest, little wizardling." her tone soft and gentle as she tucked the blankets up to his chin. She had witnessed Eileen doing this once when he had been ill enough to be called by the healer during his second year. The familiar words seemed to placate the child into a more restful slumber.

Poppy had ordered the headmaster out of the infirmary several hours ago to get some rest. She was shocked to have him see her providing comfort to her patient in such a way she inadvertently laid Seveus' medical file beside the package. She motioned for him to wait outside.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHmph, I wonder what Poppy meant by do something more? What will the headmaster think?