It was silent for a couple of minutes and without showing any emotions Severus asked " How bad was it ?"
" It is the worst case i have ever seen and the emotional consequences are unpredictable as you know . The diagnostic showed that there are already signs of self harm , Severus talk to me , i would really like to hear your opinion " it was silent again for quiet some time before he answered " i will not pretend that i like the boy . But under the circumstances I can't ask you not to help him and i will act civil around him ,the summer will be hard enough on him as it is . The only thing i ask from you is to respect my privacy and to not inform him as to why you adopted me when i was 16 " with that statement the twinkle returned to Albus eyes
" of course son , i also have not talked yet with Harry . I wanted to talk with you and your brother first " Severus rolled his eyes
" I am pretty sure Matthew will love the idea of another 'brother' " he smirked " at least he will not be focused on me this summer "
Albus had to suppress a laugh at the last sentence and said " Matthew is another reason why i feel that Harry will do quit well in our family , i am sure you remember how big of an help he is ". " yes being a healer sure has nothing to do with that " Severus continued sarcastically
" I will contact Matthew later that evening and ask him to come and have a look at Harry . Beside his professional opinion i would also like for Harry to at least have an idea of who is go into live with him " Dumbeldore paused for a moment " i am afraid i have to ask you for another favour "
" out with it old man I don't have all day "
" Severus , Poppy is afraid that Harry might be having an infection . He is running a fever and we would like you to test his blood for any signs , as you know potions are outside of her comfort zone " The potions master groaned thinking about the task ahead of him but nodded his head " fine i am going to brow the potion . Inform me when Matthew is going to check Potter i will go with him as you know the blood needs to come in contact with the potion immediately after it leaves the body "
" Thank you my boy " and with that Severus left his fathers office leaving a quit pleased headmaster behind , he had imagined that this conversation would be a lot harder . With a small smile he turned to the fireplace getting ready to firecall his other adoptive sons office .
After only a few seconds Matthews head came in sight with a smile for his father " Hey dad , is everything alright ? You don't usually call at this time " " No no don't worry everything is fine . I just need to talk to you about a serious matter , if you have a minute could you come through ?" Matthew visible relaxed " i have to go see a patient now but in about 2 hours i would be free , can it wait until then ?"
" Yes of course ! I will await you in 2 hours then " Matthew nodded his head and with one last smile he disappeared in the flames .
2 hours later while the headmaster worked some paperwork for the next school year the flames on the fireplace turned green and a tall ,well built man with salt and dark blond hair and brown eyes stepped carrying a leather bag over on shoulder dressed in casual robes over his black dress pants and dark blue button down shirt . Dumbeldore smiled as the man in his early forties sat down in a chair in front of his desk with a small huff
" difficult patient ? "
" No, not really , just a lot of them but i am done for the day . So what can i do for you is Sev okay ?" He asked nervously , he knew the problems he had and together with their father had helped him multiple times in the past . Dumbeldore's heart warmed up at the love and deep concern displayed at the younger mans face for his adoptive brother ." No sev is absolutely fine ,from what i know ,i wanted your opinion on a different matter ..." and with that Albus explained everything that happened and he learned in the last 3 days including his previous conversation with Severus at the end Matthew was staring at Albus in shock
" So son " Albus asked after a minute of silence "what do you say ?"
" Poor boy ... he is going to need a lot of support . I share your opinion that being part of our family will hep him but he may to be able to accept it in the beginning,we will need a lot of patience and we can prepare for quit a few breakdowns this summer , he will need a special diet maybe even some potion to help with his appetite depending on how much he can eat , physical therapy and special potions for the scarring and a lot more " Matthew mindlessly fished a small notebook from his bag starting a list with everything they wound need completely ignoring the happy tears that formed in his fathers eyes at his sons kindness and acceptance , it is exactly the same way he welcomed Severus 17 years ago .Matthew stood up abruptly " i am going to talk with sev about some of this and meet with you in the hospital wing in about an hour , it would be good if you go alone first and explain the situation to Harry ask if he even want to live with us "
" that's a great plan , your brother is in his lab , do you have maybe an idea how to talk too young Harry the best ? The last thing i want to do is overwhelm him "
" Stay calm , use a soft voice , be as honest as you can and don't pressure him to talk , reassure him that he will not have to go back there . Also don't forget to tell him that we are going to come later so he can prepare himself emotionally " and with that Matthew went to search his brother and Dumbeldore was once again on the way to the hospital wing only that this time there patient was awake silently reading his charms book .
" Hello Harry . Good to see you awake ,how are you ?" He said as he sat in a chair next to the hospital bed . Harry put the book down and in a small voice answered " i am fine headmaster , thank you for asking "
" You are welcome my boy , i came hear to talk to you about something important " Albus started as calm as possible " madam Pomfrey performed a diagnostic charm on you and it showed us that you relatives house is not exactly save for you " Harry looked up with panic clearly in his eyes " no sir i am fine "
"Harry we already know its alright you don't have to talk about it until you are ready " the headmaster stopped the boy placing a calming hand over the boys small one " i promise you you don't have to go back there . That's actual what i wanted to talk to you about ,i would like to ask you if you could imagine allowing me to become your guardian and come live with you "
Harry was in shock " you ... you really mean it ? I could live with you in the summer , I don't have to go back ? "
" of course Harry even if you don't want to I've with me ,you will never go back –"
" NO! I would love to live with you " Harry interrupted Eire blushing and looking down mumbling a small sorry.
Albus smiled " its alright my boy i also would like to tell you that I don't live alone ,i live with my adopted sons . They are both a lot older that you Matthew is 43 and is a healer at St.Mungos he will also come later on you . And of course you already know my second son Severus , or should i better say professor Snape ?"
Harry paled thinking about how professor Snape would hate him even more , Albus saw the change in Harrys expression , you could really read the boy like an open book . "Harry i already talked both of them and they are BOTH accepting of me becoming your guardian . They wi both come by later so we can all talk a kitties bit , no need to be nervous Matthew is really kind and Severus is a big softy under that cold mask of his " Dumbeldore winked at the small boy earning a small unsure smile in return .