Of course, Harry would never want to stay at the Dursley's, but he didn't want to cause so much trouble and have everyone know that their hero was a weak coward. They were bound to find out from Snape anyway, but that was different somehow. It took a minute for the sentence to actually register with Snape. The boy wanted to stay there? Was he mad? Not knowing how to respond, Snape settled for glaring at the boy, which caused him to cringe again.
"The Headmaster would not be pleased if he found out that I knew what was happening and left you there," Snape said, deciding it was the best way to go.
"But Professor Dumbledore would never know that you knew. I wouldn't tell, I swear! He knows most of what happens anyway. He was here two days ago. Professor, please. I… Please."
Snape had always wanted to see the day when Potter would actually have to beg to get something he wanted. Now that it was here, he didn't like it, and that confused him to no end.
"Move Potter."
"No! I'll… run... I'll run if you take me there!" Harry said.
Snape just raised his eyebrows at this.
"Snape… sir… please… not there, then. Anywhere but there!"
"Why in the world would you want to stay with those people Potter?" Snape asked, exasperated.
"I..I'm not worth all the trouble it would cause. It's safer for everyone else if I just stay here."
Snape noticed that the boy had said safer for others and not himself.
"Well it will do them no good if you end up…. disabled."
Severus could feel a headache coming on as he held the bridge of his nose. He was close to just stunning the brat and portkeying away. But after looking up at the boy's pleading eyes, something in him broke.
He felt like murdering himself for feeling bad for the Boy-Who-Lived. Before he could change his mind, he told the boy to say, 'Potions classroom 6572' He then looked sharply at the boy, daring him to protest so he could change his mind. But Potter said nothing, probably realizing that was the best offer he could get.
Once both were in the Potions classroom, Snape contemplated his next move. He ordered Potter to sit in a chair by his desk and chanted a spell Madam Pomfrey had used on him to assess the damage after a session with the Dark Lord.
Potter had four broken ribs, one of which was healing wrong. It would have to be re-broken. He'd also broken a wrist and sprained an ankle. His leg had been broken but was healing nicely. He had bruises and welts all over his body, a few of which were infected. He was clearly malnourished and, after looking at the boy's face, he saw exhaustion there as well. Apparently the boy had an amazingly high tolerance for pain, not unlike the potions master.
Maintaining his usual mask of indifference, Snape made his way to his stores to get the necessary potions. Inside, he was seething. Anyone who could do that to a child was a right bastard. When he'd done all he could for the moment, he told Potter that he was going to go inform the Headmaster, and the trouble started all over again.
"No! You said-" Harry was interrupted.
"I said nothing, and unless you want to be up in the hospital wing, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and not move. I shall know if you do."
He looked closely at Potter, remembering the boy's threat to run. He left the dungeons muttering a few charms that would alert him should Potter leave that room. He cast others to prevent the boy from leaving the dungeons unless he was in danger.
Snape used the time walking up to the Headmaster's office to reflect on all that had had happened. It seemed like such a short time for it all. He wasn't sure that the Headmaster would be happy with him for removing Potter from the house….wait. Of course he will be! He wouldn't leave his Golden Boy to be abused there… right? Then he remembered Potter's words.
Did Albus Dumbledore, his mentor, the one that helped him through something resembling Potter's current trials, truly know what went on in that household? Of course not! he immediately thought. But he wasn't sure what to think. Then there was the fact that that this arrogant-well, suppose to be arrogant-brat was abused.
How long had this been going on? How had he managed to hide it? Was that the reason everyone seemed to spoil him rotten? Was it his own stubbornness that made Severus see the arrogant, bratty son of James Potter rather than a nervous, abused boy? And why wouldn't Potter wish to tell anyone? The damn boy would rather stay at his uncle's! It could be because the boy thought he deserved it, but this is POTTER we're talking about. Why would he feel like that?
The boy should feel as though the world owed him... as his father would've felt. But grudgingly, Snape started to realize the Pot… Harry was not his father.
He was in no way even considering to be sorry for the way he treated Potter though. It was the boy's own fault for that. Or was it? For the millionth time that day, Snape felt a headache coming on. Then he realized he was in front of the Headmaster's office.
How long had he been there? Knowing that it didn't matter, he told the gargoyle the password and waited as the moving stairs made its way up to the office.
88888888
Harry was nervous. He had no idea what to expect. The day had passed too quickly, and yet it seemed to be going on forever. He was glad that Snape had given him potions for the pain before he left. It allowed Harry to think more clearly and relax. It was short-lived though, as panic started to override him. Merlin! He was sitting in the Potions classroom in the middle of the summer with no one around. And he was expected to stay here while Snape went to tell the Headmaster who-knows-what!
Half of what he says will probably be a lie anyway, Harry thought. His mind refused to allow him to believe that, though. Even though Snape had seen him as a spoiled brat, he'd never actually straight out lied. He might be a git and ignore what was right under his big nose, but… Harry put his head in his hands and tried to calm down. He had no idea what to do. Things were going too fast. He stayed in that position even when he heard footsteps entering the room and locking the door behind them.
88888888
Opening the door, Severus saw the Headmaster sitting behind his desk, observing one of the countless small objects in his office.
"Ah, Severus! Back I see. No problems I hope?" Dumbledore asked without even looking up from his fiddling.
"Your hopes are in vain, Headmaster," Snape answered.
This statement caught the headmaster's attention somewhat.
"What could be the problem?"
Not knowing which approach would cause problems, Snape asked, "Albus, have you, by any chance, ever observed Potter during his summers with his relatives?"
"It seems obvious that they're not the most loving family, but they suffice when it comes to the protection the blood bonds provide for Harry. In fact, I was there a few days ago, discussing headquarters with Mr. Potter," Dumbledore replied.
"Have you ever thought that they made be harming Potter?" asked Snape, slightly anxiously.
Dumbledore examined his wand carefully. "Is there something you need to tell me, Severus?"
Snape nodded. "I'm afraid that Potter has been dealt quite an ordeal of... abuse... from his dear relatives."
Dumbledore continued to observe Snape.
"I see. I assume you took him out of there?"
Snape stared at him as though he had grown another head.
"Of course. I had to, headmaster! You didn't expect to me just leave the boy there? Surely you do not think so little of me!"
"Of course not, my boy. Of course not." Albus said, shaking his head sadly as he reminisced for a bit.
"Was he taken him to Poppy? What is his condition? Is he alright?", Dumbledore suddenly quizzed. It seemed as though the significance of the situation had just hit the Headmaster when he began to bombard Snape with questions.
In answer, Snape asked Dumbledore to follow him down to his office. It was then that Snape realized the boy hadn't moved from the place where he'd left him.
Closing the door to the classroom, he followed the headmaster over to where Potter still sat, head in hands. Albus inspected the boy closely, as he did Severus, before speaking. He stood there, slightly uneasy for once, as he addressed Potter.
"Harry…..are you alright?" seemed to be the only thing he managed to say.
Potter, finally looking up, quickly said that he was fine, possibly a little too fast, as his answer seemed somewhat rehearsed. It was clear to any dunderhead that the boy was not fine. He still looked sickly while trying in vain to put up a bold face.
The headmaster sighed at this. Looking much more his age then normally, his forehead etched with worry lines and the glint in his eyes considerably dimmed. The headmaster conjured a chair next to Potter while Severus braced against the wall by the door. As Albus reached to grasp the boy's shoulder though, he shot up and backed away. Severus was sure that the headmaster was more hurt by this reaction then he let on.
"Harry, my boy. I'm sorry I've left you with those people. I should have realized that it was something more then a slight resentment."
The headmaster shook his head at this and swallowed noticeably.
"I would have never allowed them to do this, had I known. You do know that?" Harry nodded, still looking at the floor.
Severus could see right there that the boy hadn't known that. He thought he was being left there purposely. A knot continued to form in his stomach as his former beliefs on Potter were crushed one by one. Speaking freely for the first time, the boy started.
"It's ok professor. Really, I'm fine. If I could just lie down for a moment."
Severus saw this as an attempt to escape the awkwardness of the situation, but had no doubt the boy was tired. The day was rather overwhelming… for both of them.
Albus simply nodded, allowing the subject to drop for the moment.
"As the only people here at the moment are me, Professor Snape, Madam Pomfrey, and Argus Filch, I think it would be best for you to reside in rooms right here in the dungeons. You've already expressed your wish to not involve the medi-witch and I will be leaving on order business late tomorrow. I assume you would prefer the Professor to our caretaker?"
The sparkle returned slightly to the headmaster's eyes at the look of horror that flashed across the boy's face at the mere thought of being left alone with Filch.
Severus himself barely repressed a shudder at the thought. The headmaster gave Potter a room right next to Severus', but of course, the boy didn't know that…yet.
Professor Dumbledore was about to take Potter to his rooms when the potions master saw the pillowcase clutched tightly in the boy's hand. He wordlessly handed the still shrunk trunk over to the headmaster before they left. Shortly after Harry had resided to his room, the headmaster followed Severus to his own.
Once seated, Severus, realizing what the headmaster would wish to talk to him about, prepared himself for an argument, but later decided against it since he never won anyway, and his mentor had never led him astray before.
"Severus…I'm sure Harry has been through a lot, considering what you've told me. It might be too much for him to handle on his own…."
The potions master opened his mouth, then promptly shut it, only to open it again.
"I completely agree with you Albus. You have helped me more then I would ever be able to repay you for. I am sure that I will be able to handle things on my own while you tend to Mr. Potter. With that aside, has there been any major news on Lupin's progress with the wolves?"
Ignoring Severus' blatant attempt to change the subject, the headmaster continued.
"Severus, I am sure you understood where I was going with this." He gave the professor a pointed look.
"Albus, I've already done my part. It's thanks to me he's no longer with those people. Don't think that this will change anything between us. He's still the impertinent brat he's always been, with no regard for rules whatsoever.", Severus protested.
"Although that may be true to an extent, do not forget what led you to believing what a spoiled prince he was. Your views weren't exactly accurate and you know this. You might not even bother to look into this, but you two are more alike then you assume. Remember when I first started assisting you?"
The headmaster knew that he was getting to him. Unwilling to accept all that was said, Snape retorted, famous sneer in place.
"Fine! What do you want me to do? Fawn over him and tend to his every need like everyone else? Maybe bow to him and address him as my master." Severus sneered.
"You know what you need to do. He's not the boy you thought he was. He needs you."
"Ok Albus, but don't complain when the boy comes running to you throwing a fit because you left him with the evil bat of the dungeons."
With the said, Severus left, having been driven out of his own chambers.
Please please please review.. I will love you! :)