Chapter Three - Severus' Promise
Once they were at their destination, Harry landed on his back on the floor. He had to take slow agonizing breaths to force the nausea away that was creeping up from the pain his ribs were in. Harry was still clutching Hedwig's cage close to his chest. The snowy owl was hooting with indignation at being tossed around in her cage.
No matter how many times Harry traveled by portkey in the past, he would never get used to the feeling or learn how to land on his feet. Snape didn't bother to help him up as he sat down at his desk and began writing a letter. Harry groaned as he stood up, looking around the room he was in. It didn't take him long to realize they were in Snape's office. The jars of gruesome potion ingredients and animal parts gleamed in the shadows caused by the flames burning in the fireplace.
"Um, sir?" Harry asked. "Why are we in your office? I thought since we were going to Hogwarts, that I'll be going straight to Professor Dumbledore's office."
"Quiet, Potter, I'm trying to write to the headmaster," Snape snapped as he signed the letter, sealed it, and sent it off with a Hogwarts owl that was sitting on his desk.
"You're writing a letter to Dumbledore? You mean he's not here?" Harry exclaimed in surprise and confusion. "Then who's going to be here at Hogwarts with me?"
"Come with me," Snape only said, completely ignoring Harry's questions as he stood up from his chair and glared at him.
Snape left the office, walking down the corridor at a very fast pace, causing Harry to almost jog to keep up as he held Hedwig's cage close to him. The owl was hooting quietly as she fluttered her feathers, sensing she was back at Hogwarts.
The walk wasn't very long, yet, Harry was already out of breath, his throat burning from the effort of breathing. His neck aching from the bruises and the strain of being choked. The bruises under Harry's clothes were throbbing, and Harry's ribs on his left side were screaming with pain, but he managed to keep up. Once they reached a large portrait of a witch stirring a black cauldron, Snape finally stopped walking to Harry's relief.
"Draught of Living Death," Snape muttered, and the portrait door swung open. Snape stepped inside without a word as Harry quickly followed him in, with the portrait door swinging shut behind him. After unshrinking Harry's trunk and leaving it near the entrance, Snape disappeared through another door, leaving Harry alone to look around.
They were in what seemed to be like a small flat. The living room was large with a black leather sofa, two armchairs, a brown coffee table, and fireplace. Random bookshelves with jars of weird things, books, and plants littered the room. There was a corner of the room with a large enchanted window that looked out into the grounds of Hogwarts, no one would ever know that they were underground. And the kitchen was separated by a long island. Harry could see a small round kitchen table inside. There were two doors connecting to the living room. One door was closed, and another door was slightly open. It was the one Snape had disappeared inside.
"What do you think, Hedwig? Do you think we can trust him?" Harry asked as he sat her cage down on a nearby table. The owl hooted happily as she looked around the flat with her huge yellow eyes.
Harry wondered if Snape was even going to come back, and what Snape was planning on doing with him. Harry couldn't believe that he gave his secret away, and to Snape!
The Potions Professor surely wouldn't want Harry around.
No one ever did….
Maybe Snape was going to leave him with Hagrid. Hagrid was the only person Harry could think of that still resided at Hogwarts during the summer holidays. Anything was better than being in Snape's company! Harry tried not to shudder at the thought of staying with his greasy Potions Professor. He might as well have been better off with the Dursleys. Harry rubbed at his aching bruised neck. Maybe not, he thought after a while.
"Sit down, Potter," Snape ordered. The Professor had returned from the room, and was now placing an assortment of potions and balms on the coffee table.
Harry walked slowly towards the couch, glaring at Snape with suspicion.
"Sir, where are we? And what's that lot for?" Harry gestured at the potions and balms.
"Sit," Snape snapped at him.
Harry stood his ground. "Not until you tell me what's going on!"
"For the love of Merlin, Potter, sit and I'll explain! You can't follow one simple order? Is that too much to ask of the famous Harry Potter?"
Harry didn't say anything. He only scowled as he sat down, refusing to look at his Potions Professor.
Severus tried not to lose his temper, but it was so hard. He was trying not to see Potter as his father. Severus kept trying to remind himself that this boy needed help, and that Severus shouldn't turn him away just because of who his father was. He decided that he should start explaining to Potter about the living arrangements or he would probably refuse to let Severus treat the bruises around his neck.
"When the headmaster received your aunt's letter he was very worried. Unfortunately, he couldn't check up on you due to a business errand he was attending…" Severus was careful with his words, knowing Potter was going to start probing him for answers which he didn't have about Albus' mission.
"So he asked me to check up on you. Telling me that if anything, any concerns about your safety, that I should take you back with me to Hogwarts, as you'll be safer here than the Burrow because the wards are stronger."
"And the blood wards from my aunt?" Potter asked. "Are they still intact since I left?"
"Yes, those are still intact since she stated that you still have a place in her home. Besides Privet Drive, this is the safest place for you. However, since no one resides in the castle during the summer holidays, Professor Dumbledore has arranged for you to reside in my living quarters, only until he can contact the wolf who's on a mission for the Order to come and watch over you."
Severus noticed the horror in the boy's eyes as he learned that he was going to stay here and live with him.
"How long do I have to wait for Remus, sir?"
"The headmaster said a couple of weeks, although it can be longer. We don't know how the mission's going or how long it'll take for Lupin to come back. I don't even know myself what Professor Dumbledore has the wolf doing for the Order."
"So I'm basically stuck here for the summer," Potter muttered.
Severus just nodded as he began to arrange the potions once more. "Now I'm going to administer some potions to you to heal your neck. I suggest you inform me right away if you have any other wounds that need attending to."
Potter frowned as if he didn't hear Severus' request. Severus could practically see the gears turning in Potter's brain as he thought of the information Severus had just revealed to him.
"What kind of mission is Remus on?"
"Like I said earlier, I don't know, and any question relating to that subject I will not answer. As of you're only a child, and should not be concerning yourself with such matters."
Potter glared at him. "I'm not a child," he snapped.
Severus snorted. "Just lift up your head so I can examine your neck, Potter!"
Potter only huffed in annoyance. And to Severus' surprise, the boy did what he was told.
As Severus examined the boy's neck, he could see the hand marks of Potter's uncle. The bruises were severe, dark purple, the skin around them red. Anger for that muggle swelled up in Severus as he started to rub some bruising balm onto them.
Those muggles aren't going to get away with this!
"What's your pain rating on a scale of one through ten for these bruises?" Severus asked when he was done.
"Three, sir," Potter muttered, not looking Severus in the eye.
"Stop downplaying your pain, Potter! What's your pain rating?"
"Eight," Potter muttered.
Severus handed him a potion to reduce the swelling in his throat.
"Drink," Severus ordered.
Potter took the potion and drank it.
"Anything else I should know about?" Severus asked the teen.
"You've mentioned that Professor Dumbledore ordered you to bring me back here if my life was in danger. I know I showed you my arm, but that doesn't mean my life was in danger."
Severus glared at Potter's denial of his depression and the abuse he suffered at his uncle's hands.
"You very well know why I removed you from the Dursleys! The abuse you were receiving from Dursley was one of the many reasons! Now for the second time, Potter, stop downplaying the situation. Tell me if you have any other injuries, or I swear I'm going to do it by force!" Severus yelled, his patience ebbing away with every passing minute that Potter was in his presence.
Potter glared at him with anger in his green eyes as he lifted up his shirt. Severus forced himself to not react to the shock that action caused him. Potter's torso and ribs were covered in large dark-purple bruises, along with older yellow and grey bruises.
I'm going to kill Dursley! Severus thought as he gritted his teeth, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"May I?" Severus asked Potter, gesturing to the boy that he was going to examine his bruises. Potter nodded, his face was red and he seemed to be very interested in looking at his shoes.
Severus gently pressed down on the dark bruise over Potter's left rib cage. The teen flinched, it was just as Severus thought. One of the ribs was cracked. Severus picked up a potion for healing cracked and broken bones, and gave it to Potter.
"A rib is cracked on your left side. Drink this, it'll heal it in a second."
Potter took the potion and drank it, sighing in relief. Severus then began to rub the bruising balm on the bruises, turning them yellow, until they completely faded away.
"I'm not going to force you to talk about this right now, Potter," Severus said softly, as he began to clean up. Potter examined his rib cage and torso, before pulling down his shirt once he was satisfied with the results. "But I'm not going to let this matter drop. It's far too serious to do as you wish and ignore it. I'm going to have to inform Professor Dumbledore once he returns."
"Fine, but don't tell anyone else!" Potter answered. "I just can't handle this getting out."
"I wasn't just talking about the abuse, Potter! Hold out your arm again."
"Why?" Potter asked with indignation. "I've already shown them to you! Can't you just forget what you saw? It's not like you care about what happens to me anyways."
"Now, Potter!"
Not saying another word, Potter stuck out his arm. The scars looked worse than when Severus first saw them. Severus opened another jar of balm and rubbed it into his skin.
"This should help the scars," Severus growled, trying to be patient, but the boy was really testing him.
Once Severus was done, Potter snatched his arm away as fast as he could, and covered the scars again with his sleeve.
"Hide them all you want, Potter! I'm not going to ignore how those scars came to be! Now bring your trunk over here and empty out its contents on the table," Severus ordered, vanishing the potions and balms back to his potions lab with a wave of his wand.
Potter gaped at him with horror and anger. "No, those are my things! You're not going through my stuff!"
"You lost your privileges on privacy once you've decided to become a danger to yourself!"
When Potter still didn't move, Severus shouted, "Now, Potter!"
Potter's owl began to hoot loudly from her cage at the noise level in the room.
"No!" Potter yelled back, as he stood his ground with a determined, stubborn, infuriating look on his bratty, insolent face.
Severus sighed loudly and waved his wand. "Accio Potter's trunk!" he shouted angrily.
The trunk floated towards him. Severus casted another charm to make the trunk open and spill Potter's belongings on the coffee table. Severus then sent the trunk back on the floor.
"You have no right, Snape!" Potter shouted, standing up from the sofa and pointing his wand at Severus.
The owl was screeching at this point, no doubt trying to protect her master.
"Expelliarmus!" Severus shouted quickly before the boy could react. He grabbed Potter's wand out of the air. "I'm doing this for your own safety, you stupid child!"
"No, you're being an evil git who's invading my privacy!" Potter shouted angrily, his mouth dropped open once he'd realized what he said. Then Potter clamped his mouth shut once he'd realized his mouth was hanging open like the idiot he was.
Severus was this close to sending a stinging jinx on the brat. He forced himself to count slowly to ten before choosing his next words carefully.
"You're on probation, Potter! I'm going through your belongings so that I can take away anything that you can use to cut yourself. I'm doing this to keep you safe! Now sit down, and keep your mouth shut!"
Obviously knowing that he went too far, Potter sat down and looked away from Severus. Anger and humiliation was written all over his face. Once the owl saw her master calming down, her screeches turned into a soft hooting. Severus was already developing an unpleasant headache that did not help to improve his bad mood at all.
Harry couldn't believe Snape was going through his stuff. He'd never felt more violated in his life!
Greasy git! Harry thought, angrily crossing his arms and leaning back against the sofa.
"Stop slouching, Potter!" Snape snapped as he rummaged through his belongings.
Harry snorted in contempt, sitting up only because he was almost certain Snape was going to curse him when Harry had disrespected him and called him a greasy git to his face.
"What is this, Potter?" Snape asked, holding up a piece of broken mirror.
"It was a mirror Sirius gave me, so I can contact him whenever I needed him," Harry answered.
"Why didn't you use this to check on him before you ran off to the Ministry of Magic?"
It was a tense silence before Harry muttered, "I dunno."
"Speak clearly!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
Snape scowled as he confiscated all the broken pieces of mirror, including the melted knife that Sirius had given Harry, along with other things that had pointed edges, all the while muttering curse words under his breath and about bratty teenagers.
Harry was so busy sulking, that he stopped watching Snape touch his things with his greasy hands. Until he realized that Snape was throwing his dad's invisibility cloak on the pile of confiscated stuff.
"What are you doing? That's my dad's! It doesn't have sharp edges! It's a bloody cloak!"
"Language, Potter! I can't risk letting you keep this! Not just for you to roam the corridors at night or to try to break into my office so you can steal back your wand and belongings!"
"You're not giving me back my wand? But how will I defend myself if I get attacked?!"
"You won't be attacked if you follow my rules and stay inside the castle!"
"But!"
"No, Potter! Because then I'll be giving you access to all the sharp objects around the castle. Once again, I'm doing this to help you! I'm trying to prevent you from harming yourself again, and these are the procedures I must take to do so!"
Snape spelled the rest of Harry's stuff back into his trunk. Then shrinking it and tossing it to Harry, while he vanished away the confiscated things along with Harry's wand.
Probably to his office, where it'll all be locked up in a huge safe, guarded by trolls, Harry guessed bitterly.
"Come, Potter, I'll show you to your room."
Harry was surprised that he was actually getting a room. He assumed that Snape was just going to have him sleep in the Gryffindor dormitories or have him kip out on the sofa.
Harry's bitterness at Snape's injustice faded a little over his curiosity, so Harry stood up to follow Snape, who opened the first closed door Harry had noticed when he first came inside Snape's quarters.
Harry couldn't even believe that Snape lived here, because this place seemed so homey and comfortable. Harry had never imagined Snape living in a place like this. He'd always assumed Snape liked living in the cold dungeons, much like his office.
Harry picked up Hedwig's cage and followed Snape inside to what would be his room. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. The room was pretty big with a full-sized bed in the middle of the room, covered with a Gryffindor burgundy-colored comforter and two night tables sat on each side of the bed with a lantern on one of them. There was a desk with an enchanted window hanging over it that looked out into the grounds. A small, empty bookshelf was to the left side of the bed. An empty closet was placed on the right side of the room with a large cage for Hedwig standing in the corner. Near the closet was another door that led into a personal small bathroom.
"You can unpack your trunk and leave it against the foot of your bed," Snape said, taking the trunk from Harry and spelling it to grow back to its proper size.
"If you haven't noticed already, which I seriously don't doubt, there's nothing sharp or dangerous you can get your hands on in here. So don't even try looking. Once you're settled in, come back out. I need to discuss a few ground rules with you during breakfast," Snape explained before leaving the room, so Harry could unpack.
Harry just rolled his eyes as the sound of Snape's footsteps disappeared into the living room.
How was Harry going to survive this summer? What was he going to tell Ron and Hermione? Hopefully they'll know what to say about this situation. Harry could almost hear Hermione's answer of how lucky he was to be able to live at Hogwarts. That he should take advantage by using the library, and Professor Snape could look over his homework. Harry snorted, this would probably be a dream come true for Hermione. Ron on the other hand, would probably wonder if the greasy Potions Master could be out to get Harry, and would probably warn him not to trust Snape. Harry had to agree with that logic. No way was he going to trust Snape. Surely Remus would come soon and rescue him from this whole fiasco.
Harry took Hedwig out of her small cage, and placed her inside of the big cage standing in the corner of the room. It was uncharacteristically nice of Snape to think of Hedwig and place this in the room for her. Harry watched Hedwig dip her beak into the water bowl, then hoot happily as she stretched her wings.
"I'll ask Snape if I can let you go to the Owlery, girl," Harry said to his owl, who was hooting softly in return, looking at him with her big yellow eyes.
Harry sighed and sat on the foot of the bed. "Do you think we'll be okay here?"
Hedwig fluffed up her feathers and wiggled her tail, causing Harry to smile. His owl seemed to enjoy being here, so maybe... Harry had nothing to worry about.
While Potter was unpacking, Severus decided to cook some breakfast. Something quick and simple, like eggs and fried tomatoes. As Severus fried up the eggs and tomatoes, he tried to get his thoughts together on the rules he was going to set for Potter. Severus was starting to feel like he might be out of his league here. Taking care of an abused boy who was showing suicidal tendencies?
Severus had little experience in the past with former students who were troubled, but he never had to live with them and monitor them 24/7. Severus could already feel the weight on his shoulders for taking on such a task. A task he felt like he wasn't educated enough in. Severus cursed Albus under his breath as he stirred the eggs.
As hard as it was for him to admit, Severus was worried for Potter. Sure, he still hated the boy and his arrogant remarks, but still… He's Lily's son. Severus promised Dumbledore and to Lily that no matter what, no matter how infuriating Potter was, Severus would always watch over him.
I'm doing this for you, Lily. I did promise you... Severus thought. Do you know what those muggles did to your son? Do you know what your son is doing to himself? I hope you're watching over him. He needs you and his father now more than ever.
Severus thought about the family Potter could've had if there was never a war. The boy would've had two loving parents, along with a godfather. And all because of a war, Potter lost everything.
Severus turned off the stove and began serving the food onto two plates. He was toasting some bread as Potter came into the kitchen and sat at the small round table. Severus put the plate in front of him, before sitting across from the teen with his own plate.
Severus observed how Potter stirred his food around his plate, taking half-hearted bites.
"You need to eat, Potter, stop playing with your food," Severus scolded.
"I'm not very hungry," Potter muttered.
"When was the last time you ate a proper meal? You've lost a lot of weight. You're harming your body and it needs to stop. Now eat!" Severus tried to not to come out so harsh and obvious, but Merlin! Severus just had to get the brat to eat at least!
Potter glared at Severus with angry green eyes as he swallowed a huge exaggerated amount of eggs and fried tomatoes. Severus knew it was just to spite him.
"Bratty teenagers," Severus muttered.
Well, at least I got the kid to eat….
Once they were done with their breakfast, Severus handed Potter a potion.
"It's to keep you from vomiting," Severus explained. "I'm assuming you've been starving yourself to the point that now you get sick whenever you consume something."
Potter drank the potion and mumbled, "Thank you, sir."
"Now it's time to explain a few ground rules," Severus said as he spelled the dirty dishes away into the sink, where they magically began to clean themselves.
"One... You do not leave the castle grounds. You can only leave my quarters with my permission. I don't want you roaming around the castle unsupervised and walking into the hands of a Death Eater," Severus snapped.
"Two..." Severus continued before the boy could speak. "You'll work on your homework everyday as long as you're under my roof. And I expect it to be done efficiently."
"Three... Stay out of my rooms and potions lab. You have no business there. You may have access to the living room and kitchen, however."
"Four... You may only tell the Weasleys and Miss Granger about your living arrangements with me. Some of the Order's also going to be informed of this as well, but no one else! We must prevent this from leaking out to the Dark Lord."
Potter shook his head. "I'm not telling anything to anyone..."
"Five!" Severus snapped, ignoring him. "Keep out of my way and do not burn down my living quarters. Or I swear you'll wish you were back with those muggles!"
Potter sighed in frustration at his words. Again, Severus ignored him, lowering his voice in a serious tone.
"And if you haven't noticed, Potter, there's nothing that can be turned into a tool for your self-harming in my living quarters. All the drawers are magically locked, so you won't have access to utensils or anything you can harm yourself with. If you ever feel the need to harm yourself, then come to me straight away. You're here for a reason! So don't pretend it isn't important that you're hurting yourself."
Potter snapped, "I'm not some little kid you can order around!"
"Then stop acting like one! Now, do you have any questions concerning these rules?"
"I'm guessing the portrait door won't let me out, unless I have your permission?" Potter snapped again, green eyes flashing in frustration.
"Correct."
Potter crossed his arms to his chest. "So I'm a prisoner here, basically?"
"No, you are not, Potter! Change your ways on your low self-esteem, and then maybe, we'll talk about your privileges outside once more. Since you're a danger to yourself, you can't be trusted alone in the castle where there are so many things you can get a hold of!"
Potter didn't say anything for a while, his eyes glaring angrily down at the table.
"Stop sulking, Potter!" Severus snapped as he got up and began to make himself a cup of strong coffee, lacing it with a potion to take care of his raging migraine.
"Can I take Hedwig to the Owlery today?" Potter asked.
"You can do it later after your homework. It's far too early right now, your owl can spend a few more hours in its cage," Severus answered back. He didn't see the boy's reaction, as Severus' back was to him, still stirring his coffee.
"Are those the only rules I have?" Potter asked. "I'm not going to get assigned some chores or anything?"
Severus turned around and looked at Potter. This teenager was so used to his way of life with the muggles, believing it was normal to sleep in a cupboard and receiving a long list of chores to do all day. But that's not how children should spend their childhood. It struck a chord in Severus' heart, as he realized that he and Potter actually had a lot in common, concerning in how they were both raised.
"No, Potter," Severus said quietly. "I think we both know that you've done enough chores to last a lifetime. Your only responsibilities this summer is to break your habit of harming yourself, keeping up with your homework, keeping your room clean, and making sure you abide by my rules."
"Yes, sir," Potter nodded, he stifled a yawn.
"Bed now," Severus said. "You've had a long morning and I'm guessing you haven't been sleeping much. You need to rest and your body needs to heal."
"Sir, do you think I can have a Dreamless Sleep Potion?"
"Why do you need one?" Severus asked, although he already knew the answer. He was just hoping the boy would start revealing some of his feelings about the death of his godfather. Potter needed to let it all out. It wasn't heathy to keep his emotions to himself. Potter needed someone to talk to, if he was ever going to heal.
Severus could see that, even though Potter didn't show it, he was depressed, angry, and hurt. It was why Severus felt so out of his league, he wasn't trained for this. Severus was only going based on the few experiences from past students that had similar backgrounds, also from his own childhood.
Anger towards Albus for putting this responsibility on Severus rushed through him, Potter needed someone better to help him! And finding no way out of this, Severus finally accepted that he was just going to have to do his best, until the wolf could take over. Then Severus would be free of this situation.
Harry shrugged his shoulders to Snape's question of why he wanted to take a Dreamless Sleep Potion before going back to bed. He didn't want Snape to know how he was having trouble sleeping because every time Harry closed his eyes, the nightmares began, always starting with him losing Sirius.
The dream he had before Snape showed up in the early morning hours, freaked Harry out. Voldemort's laughter was so real. Harry was sure the dark wizard was truly in his head and not just in a nightmare. Harry had struggled with visions and Voldemort being inside his head in the past, but ever since Voldemort had tried to possess him in the Ministry of Magic, right after his godfather died, Harry was now terrified it would happen again. And this time, he might not have the strength to fight back.
"Well?" Snape asked impatiently, still waiting for Harry's answer.
Harry sighed in defeat. "I just don't want to have any nightmares for once," he muttered, looking down at his hands. He was too embarrassed to look at Snape.
Snape didn't say anything for a while, letting Harry die a little inside of embarrassment.
"Look at me, Potter," Snape suddenly said in an uncharacteristically soft voice.
Harry's face flushed red as he slowly raised his head to look at Snape.
The Potions Professor was standing with his back against the counter and his arms were folded against his chest. Snape's facial expression softened somewhat to Harry's surprise, and he found himself seeing a side of Snape that no student has ever seen. Snape looked like he was trying to be…well, nice!
"If you're ever afraid to go to sleep, you can always come to me and I'll help you in any way I can. I can't give you a Dreamless Sleep Potion all the time, but I can help you Occlude your mind every night before bed, so that it can keep some of the nightmares at bay, along with the Dark Lord probing your mind when you're vulnerable. Don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed to come to me. After all that you've been through, it's quite understandable."
Harry wasn't sure what to say to that, like he would ever go to Snape if he had trouble sleeping. He couldn't really trust the professor, especially with their history of dislike towards one another.
"Thank you, sir," Harry said stiffly. He didn't miss the frown on the professor's face, and Harry knew Snape didn't buy it. Snape knew that Harry wasn't going to ask for help.
But Snape didn't say anything else, only summoning a small bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion. "Take one small sip," he ordered, handing it to Harry.
Harry did as he was told, then handed the bottle back to Snape.
"Get to bed now, Potter, I'll wake you in the afternoon."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, already feeling sleepy as he stood up and made his way over to his bedroom.
It wasn't long until Harry was under the covers and falling asleep. He'd never felt more comfortable and safe in his life. And Harry figured it was because he was finally back at Hogwarts.
Severus sat down in his favorite armchair in the living room and drank his second cup of coffee that morning. He was feeling very drained from the events that happened and closed his eyes, hoping it would soothe his pounding headache that still hadn't gone away.
Severus just didn't know how he was going to be able to care for Potter, especially when the boy did not trust him at all... He could see it all over Potter's face, when Severus offered to help him with his nightmares. That kid's face was like an open book when it came to his emotions. Severus just wished Potter could open up more by talking. That would make things way easier for him, but of course, Potter had to make things difficult. Well, at least Severus could count on Lupin to reach through to the kid. Severus decided to just feed Potter, make sure he wasn't cutting himself, and hopefully help Potter Occlude before going to bed. As for the rest, Lupin could deal with it. Severus rubbed his forehead, trying not to stress out anymore as he opened his eyes, reaching for the book he was reading the other night.
The flames in the fireplace suddenly blazed green, startling Severus, causing him to drop his book on the floor. Severus sighed in annoyance as he picked it up. He swore Albus Dumbledore always had the worst timing.
"Good Morning, Albus, I assume you've received my letter?" Severus snapped.
"Ah, Severus, of course, and Harry? Where is he?"
Severus gestured at the door to Potter's bedroom.
"Asleep. He needs to heal and rest. I gave him some Dreamless Sleep Potion. But tonight, I'm going to have him Occlude before going to bed."
"How's Harry doing?" Albus asked with concern in his voice. "Was Petunia right to worry? You've only mentioned you brought Harry back, and to floo you when I had the chance."
"I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."
"Ah yes, funny actually, your owl and I seemed to have crossed paths."
"Potter's not doing so well, Albus," Severus said, deciding to ignore the headmaster's explanation as to why he was responding to his letter so quickly. "He hasn't slept, he hasn't been eating. He's lost a concerning amount of weight. Potter had bruises around his neck and torso, along with a cracked rib. The boy is afraid to sleep and also..." Severus sighed. "He's committing self-harm to himself. I saw the cuts on Potter's left arm that Petunia mentioned in her letter to you."
"It's a good thing you brought him back, Severus, but why may I ask, does he have a cracked rib and several bruises? Were you two attacked on the return journey?"
"There's one more thing you should know about," Severus went on, ignoring the headmaster. He wasn't ready to talk about the abuse Potter suffered at the hands of his relatives yet. "Potter talks as if he's given up, like he has no fight left in him. He admitted that he sometimes thinks dying would be easier. He's practically suicidal! I hope you have gotten in touch with Lupin because this boy needs more help than I can give him. He needs someone who can listen and talk to him. I can't be that person to Potter. I'm not fully trained for this, and he doesn't trust me."
Albus suddenly looked years older. And Severus knew what the headmaster was about to tell him, couldn't be good news.
"I was about to contact Remus when I received information from Alastor. He told me that the colony of werewolves Remus was spying on, was attacked by Death Eaters. Many werewolves were killed, many were also taken. Alastor sent some members of the Order to search through the bodies and the camp, but there was no sign of Remus. As of there is no news to his whereabouts in more than seventy-two hours, Remus is now confirmed missing."
All Severus could do was just stare at Albus in shock. "What do you mean missing? Where is he?!"
"We don't know, but the Order is working hard to recover the location of those Death Eaters as we speak."
"That could take weeks! Months!" Severus shouted, his heart racing in panic. "Potter doesn't have that much time! He needs that wolf! I don't know what I'm fucking doing here, Albus!"
"Severus, why do you think I chose you to watch over Harry?"
"Because I was the only one available at the time," Severus muttered stiffly.
"No, because besides Remus, I trusted only you for this job. You do not know it yet, but you and Harry need each other. It's going to be hard at first, I know, you are worried you're not trained for this, but it'll get easier. Just reach out to Harry, you'll be okay, Severus."
"I brought Potter with me half-beaten up by Dursley! Did you know he was being abused at that house?" Severus suddenly asked. He couldn't keep that question to himself any longer. It was burning in the back of his mind ever since he'd found out.
Albus was quiet for a while. "I knew there were possibilities of neglect, but I never knew it had become physical." His blue eyes burned with an angry flame that Severus had only seen a couple of times.
"How did you even allow that? How did you not know about the physical abuse? Wasn't Figg supposed to be watching him?"
"Indeed, yes, but Harry must've done a good job hiding his injuries. I assume Mrs. Figg never noticed the signs either. It makes sense, as Harry's always been reserved and kept to himself."
Severus glared at the headmaster. He curled his hands into tight fists, and the air became tense with his anger. How could Albus be so calm about this? Why wasn't he angry as much as Severus was when he'd found out?
Albus paused, piercing him with his blue eyes. "Severus, listen to me. At the time when Harry was a baby, I had no choice. Because of Petunia Dursley's blood wards, there was nowhere else that was safer for him. I had to do what was best for Harry, even if it meant that he wasn't going to grow up happy. As long as Harry was kept safe from what was left of Voldemort and his followers, that was all that mattered."
"Well Potter isn't going back to that house! And don't worry about the blood wards! Petunia made sure Potter still had a place in her home before we left."
"Excellent! Then this is the safest place for Harry, he still has the blood wards along with the protection of the castle, and you to watch over him. Don't worry, Severus. I promise you, Harry shall never have to go back to his relatives again, only if you allow him to stay with you during the summer holidays, just until we find a more suitable arrangement for him."
Severus only nodded without saying a word as the headmaster disappeared. He couldn't believe this! Severus knew he shouldn't have relied on that wolf to take over caring for Potter! How was he going to tell Potter about this? The news of the last of James Potter's friends, the last connection the kid had to his father, was missing or could even be dead!
Severus considered the idea of not telling Potter about the wolf going missing, but then what would Severus say to the questions that would soon pop up after weeks of Lupin not arriving? Severus could already feel his stress levels going up. No... He was going to have to tell Potter, even though Severus was afraid of how this may affect him.
Thinking he better check on Potter to make sure he was sleeping, Severus stood up from his armchair and quietly walked over to the teen's bedroom door and opened it.
Potter was fast asleep with the covers half on the floor, and his glasses hanging half off his face. Severus crept inside to not disturb the boy from sleep. He picked up the hideous Gryffindor covers and laid them back on Potter. Severus then took his glasses off his face, placing them on the night table.
Severus took a deep breath as he studied Potter's sleeping face. The kid looked so peaceful, and Severus dreaded the news he was going to have to break to Potter once he woke up.
"Be strong, Potter. No matter what happens, I'll be here for you," Severus promised.
A/N: Next chapter we will find out where Moony is! =)