A/N: Hey guys. I apologise for the disgustingly long wait for this chapter. It was difficult to write and its not the most exciting piece but it needs to put in. Thanx so much to everyone who reviewed, you guys are awesome! Most people don't want Dumbledore to be down right evil so i'll see what i can do. I'd like to thank my beta Melissa again for putting up with my whimsical writting.

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Severus muttered a cushioning charm under Potter's body once he was unconscious. He knew the healing side of the potion would only begin in a minute or so, so quickly he cast a diagnostic spell, scanning it over the boy's pathetically small frame.

The results appeared on a scroll that flashed into existence before him.

Sighing, Severus seated himself at his desk. He rubbed his temples, trying vainly to staunch the migraine Potter's wild emotions had given him. It did not seem to matter how strong he build his mental shields, other people's emotions constantly got through them. Severus wondered whether being an empath was a curse or blessing. His mother's family line had a history of empathic ability. He however seemed to have only inherited part of that ability, and little control over it at that. His skills were weaker than a fully emphatic being but strong enough to read uncovered emotions. It was a constant source of headaches to him, as almost none of the students knew how to occlude and he was, therefore, exposed to the emotions of over five hundred hormonal teenagers everyday. One could not say that was not cause for being, as the students put, an evil git.

His eyes scanned the results from the diagnostic scan, his eyes widening as he took in the full extent of the boy's injuries. It was a simple spell compared to those the medi-witch would use, only showing the actual injuries. Those used in the infirmary could tell the Matron when and sometimes how a person was injured. None the less, the results were appalling. Potter had numerous broken bones including his left wrist, both feet, five ribs and multiple fractures in all his fingers among others, some of which were partly healed. He had tissue damage, abrasions and wounds over his entire body. There was a small amount of internal bleeding. He was also extremely malnourished, which explained why he didn't eat much at meal times. Severus wondered how Madame Pomfrey could have missed such obvious damage.

As he took a sip of his migraine potion Severus began to plan how to treat his troublesome student. Obviously he was going to need to be healed although healing was generally slower with potions than with spells. But once healed Potter would not have to rely on pain killers. But physically healing was not going to solve the boy's problems. Severus knew he would eventually have to tell the Headmaster. He also knew that almost all the abuse cases in the school were referred to him to deal with. Probably because the majority were Slytherins. He knew Potter would not want anyone to know under any circumstances. He decided he would respect the boy's wishes in this concern for now.

Another problem besides Potter's emotion state would be teaching him occlumency. Although the boy had managed to keep his memories hidden, Severus did really want to chance tapping into them by accident. While it would be an easier way of finding out the truth of the boy's predicament, he knew from experience how humiliating it could be and he doubted it would induce Potter's trust.

He got out a piece of parchment and quill then started listing the questions he wanted answers to:

1) Where did Potter get his amulet and what are its properties?

The question had been in his mind for a while. It wasn't exactly a common thing to come across.

2) How did he manage to hide the extent of his injuries from Pomfrey?

3) Was Potter mugged as he claims? Or abuse? if so for how long?

Severus was willing to bet it was a done by a man or men judging by Potter's reactions around him.

4) Why doesn't the boy use magic instead of trying to run away? Severus had been wondering on this point. The first detention he had had with Potter he had been thrown half away across the room. But every time afterwards Potter had not used so much as a spark. Why?

5) If Potter was attacked by a gang as he claims why is he afraid to seek help at the infirmary?

6) Is Potter malnourished because he doesn't eat or is he unable to eat because he is malnourished? If the latter why is he malnourished?

Harry slowly became aware he was lying down. His eyes opened immediately when he heard papers being shuffled and breathing nearby. He sat up so fast he gave himself a head rush. Snape was sitting at his desk, watching him over the top of the paper he had been grading. He raised an eyebrow. "Potter you are bleeding on my floor." Harry cringed inside. The Potions Master had no idea how familiar the words were. Carefully he stood, his back throbbing painfully with the movement. Looking down he saw a small pool of blood where he had been laying.

Snape looked at him over steepled fingers. "Potter, as you can probably feel, your bones are in their correct positions although you may still feel sore and stiff. I have a potion which will help to speed up the recovery of the rest of your body. However it will only be finished brewing in a day or so. It is not as powerful as what you took earlier and you'll be able to continue taking the Brenston's Brew. However I suggest you refrain if you can, and do not take it for the next four hours. I will give you another cream to put on your bruises. Is that gash on your back the only wound you have which bleeds?"

Harry was only a little surprised Snape knew which of his injuries was bleeding. But then it was really that hard to deduce: blood on his robes, on the floor and a hand on his back did give it a way a bit. He nodded. The Potions Master stood slowly, watching him.

"Come here." Harry moved towards his professor but kept distance between them.

"Come Potter, let me look at it."

Harry hesitated. He didn't want the man to touch him again. He didn't like physical contact and he hated people being behind him. He didn't like letting Snape see he was vulnerable. But Snape had that look on his face that told him that he wasn't going to put up with arguments. In any case it was a bit late for such considerations he thought a little bitterly. He went to the man, hating that he was too weak to say no.

"Lift your robes and shirt." Harry did so, forcing himself to stand still when the man went round to look at his back. Long fingers started probing the wound on his lower back.

….

Severus carefully check the gash in his student's back, glad that Potter hadn't put up a fuss. It looked like infection was setting in. He suspected there was something inside the wound that kept causing the bleeding and prevented it healing properly. "How did you get this Potter?" He asked quietly. The boy didn't answer, but tried to turn from him. He knew Harry did not want him to know, so he tried another route. "Potter what inflicted this wound?"

Still no answer. Snape was just about to repeat the question when he heard the quiet whisper.

"A glass bottle."

….

Harry was weighing his options. He needed the cut to mend, he could not afford for it to continue bleeding the way it was. His amulet did not cover clothing. And he hadn't managed to heal it himself. But on the other hand if told Snape what 'they' hit him with it might sound like he was admitting something. He decided he would risk it. He could always say he had slipped and fallen on the bottle.

"It broke, did it not?" Snape's voice was level, like they were discussing the weather.

"Yes." Merlin it had hurt. He remembered how the sharp edge of the broken bottle had ripped into his flesh, the demented laughter and stench of alcohol. He shook his head of the memory in case the Potions Master tried anything funny. He had never been sure of the man's legilimency skill.

"Potter I suspect there is still glass in the wound which is causing the bleeding. I'm going to try to remove it. It may be slightly painful." Harry nodded, placing a hand on the desk. He wasn't worried about it hurting, after all it was clearly evident he had withstood much greater things, although Snape had said he wouldn't hurt him. He was far more anxious that the man was behind him.

….

Severus waited for Potter to nod, then drew out his wand. He was not good at healing with spells, but he knew a few. He muttered one under his breath, hoping to draw out whatever was in the wound. The boy's body tensed, his knuckles going white where he was holding the desk. Slowly Severus teased the gash with his wand tip, and a small shard of glass gradually appeared out of the bottom.

Quickly he muttered "Accio Shard", catching it in his hand. The wound began bleeding again, having been disturbed by his work. He did not know spells which would staunch the flow so he conjured a gauze pad and pressed it against it, instructing Potter to hold it there. He conjured a bandage and began wrapping it around the boy's middle to hold the gauze in place, which Potter did not appreciate by the sound of his surprised yelp.

….

Harry let out a surprised yelp when Snape's hands started bandaging around his stomach. He hadn't been expecting it. Soon his professor had had secured the gauze against his back. He was annoyed that he hadn't thought of it instead of making ineffective patches that continually fell out of place.

As soon as Snape was done Harry stepped away quickly and turned round. His teacher gave him another look, but said nothing. He indicated for Harry to sit while he seated himself behind his desk. Harry sighed inwardly; he had rather hoped this… encounter was over. He was really beginning to hurt and it was more than a little difficult to sit still.

…..

"Potter you will need to return tomorrow at 7 o'clock to collect the healing potion." Severus looked at the boy in front of him appraisingly. The said child was listening but shifting in his chair. Severus guessed he was probably in pain as he hadn't taken his Brenson's Brew. Potter looked somewhat like a First year, he was so small and thin.

"Do you have trouble eating Potter?"

The boy nodded slowly.

"What happens when you eat?

"I can't keep the food down sir" Potter sounded like he was carefully choosing each word.

"How long has this been going on?"

Potter looked up sharply, "A while sir."

Oh well it worked sometimes. Severus wasn't overly worried. He would find a way to get the boy to talk. His only concern at the moment was getting him healthy.

"I will give you nourishment potions to take as well. Wait here."

With that Severus got up, went to his stores cupboard and got all the necessary concoctions out. He walked back and handed the vials to the boy. He sat then began explaining how each was to be taken and in what amounts.

(Some time later)

Harry walked slowly along the corridors in a combination of stiffness and caution. He did not want to get caught being out after curfew. He wished he had had the foresight to bring his map, that would have sped things up substantially.

Eventually he reached the Gryffindor Tower and portrait. He entered quickly, and made his way up to his dorm. He was glad Hermione and Ron had listened when he told them not to wait up for him. It was late and everyone was asleep. He carefully changed into pyjamas and climbed into bed, pulling the hangings shut. Leaning tiredly against the head board he sighed quietly, listening to the soft sound of breathing coming from the world beyond his curtains. It had been a long day to say the least. He reached for his new collection of vials, putting them on the bed cover in front of him. His mind was whirling, thoughts flying around in his mind. Harry knew he wouldn't fall asleep any time soon, and to be honest he wasn't really sure he wanted to. He couldn't remember the last time he had had a decent night's rest. His unconscious was filled with terror, sometimes other people's sometimes his own.

His thoughts turned back to Snape. The man was confusing the hell out of him. He couldn't measure what he what he wanted from him. The Potion's Master was one up on him. He had information he could use against him now and it scared Harry to think he was in anyone else's power. Yet Snape had not threatened him. Had not tried to make him to do anything, yet anyway. What did the man want? Perhaps he had to be healthy to be able to perform the tasks Snape wanted done?

The man said he wanted to help him. Why? What would the man gain by helping him? Perhaps he gained more if he could blackmail him with the knowledge? For Harry knew that he would do nearly anything to prevent others knowing his secrets. He wasn't allowed to be weak or vulnerable. He couldn't bear the shame of the people he loved finding out that he really was.

He stared contemplatively at the vials before him. Each was labelled in neat spidery handwriting with correct dosages included. A nutrient potion to help his body restore itself, a nourishment potion to help him gain weight, one to speed healing. Why Snape was concerned enough to give them to him? He briefly entertained that they might be poisoned but then that would be ridiculous. The man had had many, many opportunities to kill him, so why bother with a slow, possibly ineffectual method such as that?

So many questions and not nearly enough answers.

Why?