Chapter 7
"Snape?" Harry asked weakly.
He nodded and helped him sit up against the wall. Snape kept Harry's head against his chest, running his fingers through his hair. It felt nice, and comforting. And it was something he never would've expected from Snape of all people.
Harry let out a shaky breath, "What happened?"
"You had a panic attack, it's alright, it happens," Snape whispered. "Can you tell me what triggered it?"
Harry let out a sob and fought the urge to panic again thinking back at his reflection. "I…my reflection. The mirror in the bathroom…you know."
Harry's lower lip wobbled. He felt like a baby. A poor broken baby. He couldn't defend himself against some measly muggles and now everyone would know.
"Yes. I know. I need to know who it was Harry." Snape spoke softly. "Was it your relatives?"
Another sob escaped Harry's lips, "My uncle."
"Does he do this often? What is it you did to warrant this beating?" Snape asked him.
Harry sat up to look at him, "I talked back to my uncle. I was upset because he hadn't let me eat anything in four days."
Snape huffed angrily and Harry flinched, "I'm not mad at you Harry, calm down please. Your muggle family will pay for this. How dare they do this to you, to a child. How long has this been going on?"
Harry shrugged, "Since I was little I guess. I always just tried to stay out of their way and stayed in my cupboard since they didn't fit in there-"
"Your cupboard?" Snape interrupted.
Harry looked away embarrassed, "Yeah, that was my bedroom. The cupboard under the stairs."
Snape looked at Harry seriously, anger in his eyes, "Harry. You are not going back there. Next summer, you are coming home with me. No one will lay hands on you ever again. I promise you."
For the first time in his life, he felt cared about, by the last person he'd ever have expected.