True to his word, Snape took Harry up to the Infirmary as soon as they reached the castle. They were greeted by a harried looking Madam Pomfrey, who said, "Oh, Severus, I'm glad to see you! I've been busy doling out Calming Draughts to first years and some of the older students. Seems the trolley witch ran out of chocolate. What was that man thinking, sending those creatures onto a train full of children for Merlin's sake! I'm going to need you to replenish my stock already!"
She turned to Harry and said, "Oh, Mr Potter, don't tell me you've had a broom accident already!"
"No, Madam Pomfrey, no accident," Harry assured her, "I'm fine, really..."
"Poppy," Snape interrupted him, "I wish for you to check him over and make sure he is indeed fine. One of the Dementors attacked him on the train..."
"What?" the Matron blurted, wide eyed. She put her hands on Harry's shoulders, and said, "Look at me, Mr Potter," inspecting his face as Snape had outside the station. "Have you had any chocolate?"
"Yes, Prof..." Harry began and was again interrupted by Snape.
"Remus Lupin," Snape hissed grudgingly, "was, fortunately, on the train with him. He managed to repel the Dementor with a Patronus Charm, and gave him chocolate after, however..."
"And I feel much better!" Harry insisted, glaring at Snape. "Honestly, Madam Pomfrey, I'm fine!"
"I wish you to check for any lingering effects," Snape said to her, ignoring Harry's protests. "He was the only one who was outright attacked. You know what those beasts are capable of, Poppy, and while his soul is obviously still intact, I would like your confirmation that the rest of him is as well."
She nodded at Snape and said to Harry, all business now, "Take a seat on that bed over there, Mr Potter. I shall return in a moment."
Harry sighed defeatedly, and trudged over to the bed she indicated, Snape following, while Madam Pomfrey disappeared into her office. He said resentfully to Snape."We're missing the feast."
"I assure you, the Enchanted Ceiling will not fall down without our presence," he said humourlessly, "and if it does, we shall be spared."
Harry rolled his eyes and said, "I'm fine."
"I'll be the judge of that, Mr Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, returning with a vial of potion, and an enchanted roll of parchment and quill, which floated beside her. "Remove your glasses, then lie down and remain still, please."
To Harry's surprise, as well as the Matron's, apparently, Snape stepped forward, adjusting the pillow behind Harry's head as he lay down, holding his hand out for Harry's glasses. He took them, then stood there, arms crossed, frowning down at him, as Harry squinted back.
"Severus," Madam Pomfrey said, a note of amusement in her voice, "move aside please."
He stepped aside for her, but Harry could see the blurry black mass of him looming at her shoulder as she slowly ran her wand over Harry's body. The quill began scratching over the parchment as she did, unfurling as it was filled. Harry could just make out the black form of Snape trying to lean over to see what it was writing.
"Severus!" Madam Pomfrey said in exasperation, "How do you expect me to do my job with you breathing down my neck?! Take a seat and stay there until I finish!"
Harry bit his lip, holding in his laughter as Snape gave an irritated huff and retreated to the chair she pointed at.
Madam Pomfrey continued her scans, and even Harry could see her frown become deeper as she directed her wand, the parchment unfurling faster and faster. Snape noticed too, his own scowl appearing as he jumped up from his chair and came to hover again.
"Sit down, or I will stick you to that chair," Madam Pomfrey said, her voice commanding, and Snape once again retreated.
Her grim face came into Harry's view as she leaned closer, pointing her wand at his eyes and murmuring, "Try not to blink, Harry." Once she was satisfied, she said kindly, "You may sit up now." Turning to Snape, her voice annoyed again, she held out her hand and said, "Give me his glasses, Severus."
Snape handed them over, and moved to stand beside Harry. She scanned his glasses, then handed them back.
"I already know my eyes are bad," Harry said, putting them back on.
"It's a wonder you can even play Quidditch," she said archly. "You need new glasses, Mr Potter, those are the wrong prescription."
"Where shall I take him?" Snape asked, still scowling.
"No need," she said, "I've noted the details, and can have the proper lenses delivered here to the castle by tomorrow afternoon. All you need to do is come back tomorrow after your classes, and I'll fit the lenses to your frames. They'll magically adjust when you put them on."
"We'll return at the end of the day," Snape said.
Madam Pomfrey said, the amused tone back, "There's no need for you to interrupt your day, Severus. He can return on his own."
"Nonetheless," Snape said, "we will return after his classes. What else is wrong with him?"
She shot him a stern look before smiling at Harry and saying "There appear to be no lingering effects from your encounter with the Dementor, Harry, but I would like you to take this Calming Draught for your general well being."
He dutifully downed the vial of potion she handed him.
"If there are no lingering effects, why does he need that?" Snape frowned.
"Mostly to calm you down," she retorted, "besides which it will help prevent any nightmares tonight when he sleeps."
Again Harry bit his laughter back. He was torn between amusement at Madam Pomfrey's chiding of Snape, as if he were still a student, and feeling a bit chuffed at his guardian's Mother Henning over his health. He really did feel fine, even better now, as he felt the potions effects.
"What about his general health?" Snape asked, "I've been ensuring he eats properly, and he's had plenty of exercise over the break, wandering about the castle. He flies nearly daily..."
"I'm not a baby," Harry laughed. The potion was working well, otherwise he'd have been annoyed now.
"He's a growing teenage boy," Pomfrey said, "a nutrition potion in the morning wouldn't be amiss, even if he's eating properly. It can only help. Like vitamins" she added, with a smile at Harry.
"I see," Snape said, "I'll make a batch for him."
He and Madam Pomfrey were looking at one another as if they shared some secret, but Harry's stomach was starting to rumble, so he let it go and asked, "Can I go eat now?"
"Yes!," Madam Pomfrey, said brightly, "we're all due at the feast. I'm feeling peckish myself. You may go, Mr Potter. Severus, about the potions I'll be needing. I'll firecall you a list after you've finished your duties for the day."
"Yes, that will be fine," Snape said, "thank you."
She waved them out, and Harry followed Snape down to the Great Hall. He felt all eyes on them as they entered, Ron and Herione looking both relieved and ready to burst. As he broke from Snape to hurry to the Gryffindor table, he noticed Draco sitting at the end of the Slytherin table, alone except for Millicent Bulstrode, who sat across from him. He briefly met the blonde boy's eyes, giving the slightest nod, which Draco returned, and Harry felt glad that he had someone to sit with.
"Blimey, Harry!" Ron exclaimed as Harry slid onto the bench next to him, "what was Snape so pissed about?! You didn't do anything! It's not like you asked for a bloody Dementor attack!"
"Ron!" Hermione hissed fiercely, "keep your voice down!" To Harry she said, "Where have you been? Whatever Snape was in a strop about, he could have at least let you eat first! Here, fill up your plate."
She took it and did it for him. He let her, knowing it was pointless to argue when she was like this. He felt a wave of warmth at his friends for their concern over him. He really did have the best friends.
"Thanks, Hermione," he said, taking the loaded plate she handed him.
"Let him eat, Ron," she commanded, pouring him a goblet of pumpkin juice. She told Harry, "I saved one of the chocolate frogs you bought us on the train. You should eat it after, just to be sure."
Harry swallowed his mouthful of roast and said, "Thanks, but Madam Pomfrey has given me a Calming Draught."
"What? Why?" she asked with alarm.
Harry held up his hand as he took a few more bites then said, "Snape. He made me see Madam Pomfrey to make sure I'm alright after the Dementor. I am, I'm fine," he assured her before she lost her mind completely. "He wasn't angry at me at all."
"Could have fooled me," Ron scoffed, "he looked ready to spit nails. Why's he going scaring everyone like that, the big git!"
"He was ready to spit nails," Harry said, "but not at me for once. He's angry at the Ministry, Fudge, I suppose, for allowing the Dementors on the train."
"How'd he know?" Hermione asked.
"Bet Lupin sent his Patronus when he left our carriage," Ron said, pulling a platter of buns toward himself, "how else would he?"
"Professor Dumbledore is very upset about it too, Harry," Hermione said, "and also about Fudge sending them here! He said that they're guarding the grounds because Sirius Black was seen in Dove Town, and that's not far from here. They're supposed to stay on the perimeter, and we're to stay away from them."
"Well I certainly will be," Harry said.
"Anyone who isn't completely off their nut would," Ron said wryly, looking down the table at Ginny as he did.
Harry thought it better not to mention seeing Ginny sitting in with Draco on the train, and said instead, "Are Dementors around the castle really necessary? Hogwarts is a fortress. It's not as if just anybody can come and go as they please. Well, except for the teachers. You know that the only floo connection to the outside is the fireplace in Dumbledore's office? That's how I got to the Leakey. The other teacher's fireplaces can only be used to floo within Hogwarts, and the common rooms fireplaces can only do floo calls."
"Of course" Ron said, "they don't want the firsties running home to mummy cos they're homesick."
"More like they don't want students running amok causing mischief all over," Hermione said disapprovingly. "Oh but Dementors! It's dangerous, and well, a bit pointless, isn't it? Black has already escaped them once."
"Yeah, " Ron said, "I don't know why Fudge thinks they can keep him out of Hogwarts when they couldn't keep him in Azkaban."
"I don't know, '' Harry said, "but I'll gladly stay far away from them. Don't suppose that'll matter much to Snape though."
"He does seem to be taking his guardianship of you quite seriously, Harry," Hermione said, "at least he's providing for you properly."
"Yeah, he is," Harry said thoughtfully. He glanced up at the Head table, and was a bit taken aback to see Snape glaring daggers down at his own House table. He looked over to see what was causing Snape's ire, but nothing seemed amiss that he could tell. Well, Draco without his usual cronies, but to Harry's mind, considering who they were, that couldn't be all bad. Draco probably didn't think so though.
Their attention was drawn to the front again as Dumbledore stood and waited for the students chattering to die down. He gave a short speech reminding everyone about the dementors and Black, to be cautious when out on the grounds, welcomed them all back, wished them all pleasant dreams, then dismissed them. Harry and his friends rose from their seats, and Harry turned round to find Snape suddenly behind him, Dumbledore beside him.
"Harry," the Headmaster said, "if I may have a moment."
"Of course, Sir," Harry replied.
"We'll wait for you in the Entrance Hall, Harry," Hermione said, ushering Ron away with her.
"I trust Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey have seen you've not been affected by the shocking episode on the train, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly.
"I'm fine, Sir," Harry said, "they've taken good care of me."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said, "I want you to know, Harry, I do not agree with what has happened, particularly with the decision to send the Dementors to board the train, and I have lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry. While the Dementors will, unfortunately still remain at Hogwarts until Sirius Black is captured, rest assured that they are not allowed inside the perimeter, nor are they allowed in Hogsmeade"
"Good to know, Sir," Harry said, "I'm looking forward to going, but definitely not looking forward to ever seeing one of them again."
"Not to worry, my boy," Dumbledore said, "although I do encourage you to display every caution, Hogwarts is safe, and you have the added protection of Professor Snape." He clapped Snape heartily on the shoulder as he spoke, and Harry was barely able to contain his laughter at the sour expression on Snape's face.
"Speaking of which," Snape said, "perhaps you should spend this first night in your room in our quarters to be certain..."
"What? No!" Harry said, outraged, "I'm not a baby! Madam Pomfrey cleared me! I'm fine!"
"Now, Severus," Dumbledore chuckled, "is that really necessary? I'm certain Poppy would have mentioned it if she thought it was. While your concern over your charge is indeed admirable, let the boy go to the tower with his friends and get back into routine. I trust you won't stay up too late catching up, will you, Harry?"
"No, Sir," Harry said pointedly to Snape, "after all, it's school tomorrow."
"You see, Severus?" Dumbledore chuckled, " the boy is fine."
"Very well," Snape said grudgingly, "Go. And see to it you stay there. If you ...if you need anything, use the floo and firecall. Do not leave Gryffindor Tower for any reason..."
"Don't you have to be getting down to Slytherin House, Sir?" Harry said, feeling brave with Dumbledore there.
"Potter!" Snape growled as Harry turned to go.
"I won't! I promise!" Harry said as a smiling Dumbledore waved him off.
Once the three friends reached Gryffindor Tower, Hermione gave the password to the Fat Lady, and her painting slowly swung open.
"How'd you know the password?" Ron said, staring at Hermione incredulously.
She rolled her eyes at him and said despairingly, "I asked Percy before he went up, Ron. How else would I know it?"
"Oh...right," Ron said, embarrassed, as Harry laughed.
"Are you going in or letting me hang open all night?" the Fat Lady said sourly.
"Sorry," Harry said as they went in. She closed her painting with a loud snap behind them. Once inside, he was immediately surrounded with his housemates, all clamouring to know what he'd done to incur Snape's wrath at the station.
"Blimey, Harry," Seamus said, "school hasn't even started yet and Snape is already on the warpath."
"Yeah, Harry," Dean said. "what'd you do that he found out about already?"
"He's never come to the station before, Harry," Neville said, his eyes wide, "he looked terrifying!"
"Oi! Back up you lot!" Ron shouted over the hubbub, "let him breathe!"
They spread out some, but still stood looking at him expectantly.
"He wasn't angry with me," Harry said.
"Why'd he pull you aside then, Harry?" Seamus asked.
"He acted like he owns you, Harry," Parvati said, "you should say something to Dumbledore. He shouldn't be able to do that outside school."
"He's his guardian now," Ron said, " he can do whatever he..."
Ron suddenly closed his mouth with an audible snap, clearly heard in the ensuing silence.
Harry and Hermione both stared at Ron, stunned. Harry couldn't believe Ron had just told everyone his secret.
"Nice one, Ronnie," Fred said, breaking the silence.
"Thanks, Ron," Harry said, the frown on his face belying the exaggerated brightness of his voice.
"Harry, I..I'm so sorry," Ron stuttered.
"What's he talking about, Harry?" Seamus asked.
Telling himself it was inevitable, Harry sighed and said, "Erm...you all know my relatives, my aunt and uncle, are Muggles. Well, they aren't just Muggles, they're magic hating Muggles. They don't understand it, so they don't tolerate it."
He glanced at Hermione, and she gave him an encouraging smile.
"So, you've heard about Sirius Black escaping Azkaban, yeah?
He's a mass murderer, and...well...he's the one that betrayed my parents, led Voldemort.." He ignored the gasps from his housemates at his use of the name, "Voldemort to kill them and leave me with this scar. Between my magic hating relatives, and Sirius Black on the loose, possibly to finish the job, it was decided I would be better off and safer with Snape. So, yes, he's my guardian now. End of story."
With that, he escaped up the staircase to his dorm, leaving them to digest that and make of it what they would, not wanting anymore questions. He was tired now, and just wanted to sleep. He quickly got his new sleepwear out of his trunk, changed, and climbed into bed, drawing his curtains closed around him, drifting off to sleep before the others came up.
Draco, Millie, and the Weaslette shared a coach with Looney Lovegood up to the school. Lovegood, who was reading a copy of the Quibbler, paused as Draco clambered up the steps after Millie. She gave him a vague smile, her pale eyes looking eerily vacant as she said, "You seem to have lost some of the nargles that plagued you last year, Draco. I'm sure this year will be very good for you in terms of friendships. Nargles rarely allow true friends to remain around a person, you see."
He looked at Millie, who was giving Lovegood a nonplussed look. She shook her head in obvious bafflement and he almost choked on the laugh that bubbled up in his throat. He barely contained his mirth as the fey girl turned her attention to Millie, extending her hand as she said, "I'm Luna Lovegood. Your mothers have been contributors to the Quibbler before. They are lovely people. It's nice to see their daughter is just as kind as they are."
Weasley snorted, and Draco shot her a glare that promised retribution if the Gryffindor dared to upset his friend. Millie, even before the day's actions, had been a good friend to him. Weasley sniffed and looked out at the scenery going by that was illuminated by the carriage's lone witchlight. They rode the rest of the way in uneasy silence as Lovegood prattled on about imaginary magical creatures and a conspiracy involving vampires.
Too soon they came to the school. Draco stepped out first and handed each girl out as he had been taught to do. Weasley paused before placing her hand in his. "Thanks, Malfoy."
Millie was last, and he offered to help her down, but she rolled her eyes and slapped his hand away. "I'm never going to take it, Malfoy."
He laughed as she made her way past him. Bulstrode would never let any boy do for her if she could do it herself. As soon as they had vacated the carriages, elves popped in to remove their trunks and take them to their rooms. Lovegood seemed to be on speaking terms with them and she dawdled around them, leaving Weasley to walk to the castle with the two Slytherins.
They came to the castle too soon, and Weasley dashed off when she saw a group of Gryffindor girls who had been eyeing her suspiciously. She gave them a wave as the group parted to let her in.
"Don't know what you did to pique her interest." Millie said, her brow drawn down over her eyes. "I'd be careful though, those twin menaces of hers aren't total shite at curses."
Draco shrugged. He doubted he'd see the Weaslette again this year. She probably had just been sent to see what the gossip was about. He was surprised Potter didn't seem to have told her.
Beyond the knot of Gryffindor girls Draco spied Pansy, Blaise, and Nott. Vince and Greg plodded ahead of them seemingly deep in conversation, over what, Draco couldn't imagine. They rarely spoke unless prompted. He noted that Greg looked a bit irritated, something his placid facade rarely showed.
As Millie and Draco came abreast of the group, Nott gave a half-hearted wave, but Pansy pulled his arm down. "Don't lower yourself, Theo. We don't need that kind of trash in our group."
Theo dropped his hand and looked at the ground until Draco and Millie had passed them.
They entered the castle. Draco said, "Look, Millie, don't worry about me. Go sit with the girls."
"Self-sacrifice doesn't look good on you, Malfoy." Millie said as she pulled on his sleeve towards the Great Hall. "I don't care a bit what they think, and you shouldn't either."
"I don't…" Draco began.
Millie's look of disbelief made him shut his mouth with an audible click. She continued to propel him to the far end of the table where she plopped down gracelessly. He joined her. Scanning the Gryffindor table surreptitiously, he saw Granger and the Weasel. Potter was absent, but expected if he could tell by the empty seat between his two hangers on.
At the head table, all the instructors were present, except Snape. Draco idly wondered if Potter's absence had something to do with Snape's. Potty just couldn't stay out of trouble. Draco kind of felt sorry for him. Severus could be quite hard on people who crossed him. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to live with the man, especially if he was a guardian.
His uncle waved at Draco happily, and Aunt Andromeda inclined her head at him, a worried look crossing her serene features as she saw his position at the table. Very few Slytherins chose to sit away from the group, and she knew it. She said something to her husband and Ted shook his head, his brows drawn down as he directed looks at the rest of the table.
Pansy and her crowd entered the room, noisily making their way to the table. She purposely bumped into Millie and with a false smile she said, "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see you because you've surrounded yourself with such filth. Of course, that's what one can expect from a dirty, half-blood."
Daphne Greengrass brayed in laughter, and several others joined in. Draco started to stand, his wand drawn when he felt Millie's hand on his wrist. "Don't Malfoy. She's not saying anything she hasn't before."
Draco swallowed. During their first year, he had said similar things about her, never in her hearing, but he was sure she knew. "I'm sor…"
"'S'alright." She cut him off.
McGonagall stood then and walked to the stool that had the Sorting Hat waiting on it. Sorting began, and Draco couldn't help but feel like an old soul as he watched the tiny firsties troupe up to be sorted. Too soon it was over, with Slytherin gaining twelve new students, most from the Sacred Twenty-eight, but a few with less than stellar backgrounds.
The Old Fool began speaking, "Welcome to Hogwarts. I would like to introduce to you, new faces that have signed on for this year. First, let me introduce Professor Remus Lupin, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year. Good luck to you, Professor. And next, I give you Professor Theodore Tonks, who has graciously offered to teach Muggle Studies, as Professor Burbage is on sabbatical with the Ministry."
At the mention of Draco's uncle, Parkinson and Greengrass giggled, and several of the other students sneered at Draco. He fought the urge to duck his head, even as his eyes strayed to his uncle and aunt. His uncle was oblivious, paying strict attention to Dumbledore, but Aunt Andromeda's attention was on him. Draco straightened his shoulders and held his head high. What did it matter what anyone else thought? He was a Malfoy.
Draco picked at the few things he took, not really eating. Millie gave a pointed look to his plate and he grimaced before pushing it away. She shrugged and dug into her food with a gusto that his mother would have had vapours over. He liked that Millie didn't care about things like weight, boys, or much of anything, really.
After a while, Potter entered, and Snape took his place at the head table. Neither of them looked especially angry. He leant into Millie and said, "I wonder what's up there…Snape was in a right fit when he showed up at the station."
Millie shrugged, further hunching her shoulders. "It doesn't much matter. Potter isn't one of ours, innit?"
"But Snape is his guardian." Draco said archly.
"Shut up!" Millie punched his arm, landing a solid blow. "You bastard! You sat on that little gem the entire trip up here?"
"Well, it wasn't my story to tell, was it?" Draco answered with a good deal of heat as he rubbed his upper arm. "That hurt!"
"Baby." Millie said, scowling even though her eyes sparked with mirth.
Draco just happened to glance at the head table where Severus was glaring down at them. He nudged Millie who followed the direction of his gaze. Snape would have no public dissent in the Slytherin ranks, nor did he allow rowdiness.
Millie picked up her fork that she'd dropped and muttered, "We're in for it now."
They ate the rest of their meal in relative silence and soon the feast was over. Draco waited until all but a few housemates were gone before he rose. Millie did the same, for which he was grateful, but he really wished she wouldn't act as if he needed her presence. He did, but she made it clear that he was her new project. He'd never hear the end of it in the dorm. It was bad enough to have to deal with the ignominy of his uncle's teaching position, but to rely on a girl… it was almost too much. He hoped as the days went by, that the furor would die down over his situation. He didn't think he could stand to let Millie get hurt trying to protect him.
Draco and Millie were the last to enter the common room. They both sat next to each other on the floor as Snape entered from the doorway that connected his chambers with Slytherin. He looked about, his glare landing on each student, lingering on several that were known to cause problems. He came to Draco and Millie, paused, and moved on to the next students.
He began his yearly speech. "Slytherin is a noble house, a house of students who will distinguish themselves in whatever field they choose to enter. It is a house that has a long, storied history with great wizards and witches that come from the greatest wizarding families in our the world. We are also a family. While you are a member of my house, I expect to see no squabbling, no petty infighting, no dissent. If you have a problem with one of your housemates, I expect you to address it first with them. If the issue cannot be resolved, I will expect both parties to come to me for mediation …"
Draco tuned out the speech. Snape said it every year, adding only those things that the Old Fool forced him to. If he needed to know any particular thing, he could always ask one of his dorm… no, perhaps he would ask Millie.
Snape droned on and just as the one of the firsties began to nod off, he said, "First years, off to bed. You are past your bedtime. The rest of you know when your assigned bedtime is, I expect you to adhere to it. You are all dismissed."
Draco stood, letting the pins and needle feeling of his legs subside before he actually tried to walk. Millie was already heading to her dorm. She always went to bed early.
Snape stopped in front of Draco. His professor's tone pitched so that only he could hear him, he said, "I expect you to avail yourself of my office hours if you encounter any problems, Mr Malfoy."
"Yes, sir."
Snape took a step to leave before turning to Draco again, "I will be escorting you to the Ministry to see your father shortly. I will let you know when the MLE approves your visit. Your aunt thought it would be better if I handled this matter."
Draco's stomach felt like it plummeted to his knees. He didn't know what he felt about the thought of seeing Father. He supposed he'd have to figure it out between now and the time of his visit.
Severus returned to his quarters, still annoyed with the happenings of the day, and irritated with his Slytherins and their treatment of Draco. He shouldn't be surprised at that, he ruminated, knowing what most of them were taught at home, but it irked him nonetheless.
He sighed, not relishing the conversation he had yet to have with Poppy concerning Potter. It couldn't be good, and he had the feeling it might be better faced over a drink. He glanced down the corridor toward the boy's now empty room, and a feeling he couldn't identify came over him. He knew the boy was safe in Gryffindor Tower amongst his friends, so what was niggling him? Grudgingly, he admitted to himself he'd become accustomed to the boy's presence, and knowing he no longer occupied their chambers...
Halting that maudlin thought in its tracks, Severus shook himself, marched over to the fireplace, and threw in a bit of floo powder, saying "Poppy Pomfrey". When her tired face appeared he said, "I am free from my duties, Poppy. Perhaps you would like to step through and join me for a nightcap while we discuss your findings."
Poppy had been waiting for Severus' call. She was surprised when he had asked her to step through. He was notoriously prickly and had a well-deserved (or perhaps only cultivated) reputation of misanthropic introversion. She had always felt for him in his self-imposed solitude. Even when he was a tyke, running about the school with the Evans chit, she could see just how out of place he truly was. When the girl had thrown him over for the Potter boy, well, that had been almost more than the poor boy could handle. She feared they had lost him at that juncture, little had she known, they almost had.
When he came back to school to teach, he'd been a changed man. The puppyish devotion that he'd still retained, even with all his losses, had given way to stoic cynicism and a reserve that wouldn't' allow him to unbend enough allow anyone in. She had despaired for him. She knew the monster was not vanquished. Harry Potter may have killed You-know-who, but there were plenty of others who would take up his cause. Severus' role as a spy wasn't over. It may never be.
She smiled inwardly when he had invited her through. She was one of three people he allowed into his sanctum sanctorum. She didn't pretend that most of the times she'd been invited had been because he needed help with one of the children in Slytherin. Those poor tots, no matter how good the family was considered, had to face abuse from both their own families and other students.
She answered, "Of course, Severus. Just let me fetch my shawl."
The dungeons were cold. Sometimes she wondered if he chose to teach and live down there because the atmosphere matched his mood. Of course he didn't. Pomona lived near her Hufflepuff sett, so it served to reason that Severus would live near his den of little snakes. Still, she wondered if Severus would be so lonely if he were allowed to live elsewhere.
She picked up her shawl made from a deliciously soft lambswool dyed in bright magentas, purples, and orange-reds. Her sister had made it for her after she had learnt to crochet. It was made in a lacy pattern using a grid with filled in sections making a pretty picture of a rose. Poppy loved it as soon as she saw it. Her sister had entered the world with an intellectual deficit, but had proven that her love was as bright as anyone else's.
She wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and stepped through. This talk would not be easy.
"Have a seat " Severus gestured toward the sofa. She sat, and he took the chair across from her, summoning a drinks tray from the small supply he kept in the kitchen area. Under a concealment spell since the arrival of Potter. He poured, and handed her a snifter of cognac. Firewhiskey for himself, then settled back apprehensively.
"I assume you have discovered something concerning in regard to the boy," he said, diverting her perusal of his new decor back to the subject at hand. The boy. Potter. He recalled him asking cheekily if they'd ever call one another by their first names, and smiled inwardly.
Good grief! he thought to himself, somewhat disgusted at this sentimentality that had come over him. He mentally shook himself again, took a swig of his drink, and looked at Poppy expectantly.
She placed the cognac on the table next to her after taking a careful sip. Trust Severus to have the finest liquor, even if he never really indulged more than socially. He had always been careful of his intake. Given what she had learnt of his father from Albus, she was surprised he partook at all.
"Right." She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself before she spoke. "As I'm sure you surmised, the boy is woefully undernourished. I didn't want to create panic in him, but he will need fairly large doses of nutritive potions. His growth is stunted, though I do think he wasn't in the highest percentile when he was a babe. Lily Evans was always slight, and James Potter wasn't as tall as you."
She pretended not to notice Severus' reaction to mention of the boy's parents. Of course, she knew of the bullying he had experienced at the hands of those Gryffindor ruffians. She had taken Albus to task more than once over the fights that were three or four against one. It had done no good. She was also aware how devastated Severus had been over the loss of his only friend. Though, if she were honest with herself, Lily Evans had never really been the friend that young Severus had needed. She lacked the forthrightness that he needed when his self-destructive tendencies emerged.
Poppy continued, "He will need Li's Potion to ameliorate the effects of malnutrition. I'm sure I can get it from St Mungo's if you don't have time to make it with your regular duties and the added potion you must make for Professor Lupin."
"Mungo's," Severus snorted, "I would prefer to brew them myself, where I can be sure of quality ingredients."
He sipped at his drink thoughtfully then asked, "This malnutrition issue, the boy seems to eat whatever is put in front of him, with...gusto," he grimaced, recalling Potter fairly gobbling some of his meals, "He doesn't seem to be a picky eater. I can't imagine his aunt laying a spare table, if his uncle and cousin are any indication, given what Hagrid has said."
"Nonetheless, Severus, he has experienced a great deal of nutritional neglect. The boy obviously wasn't put into care because he was spoiled." Poppy said with a bit more tartness than she intended. "While the nutritional deficits are a matter of concern, I find that the physical abuse he received is much more pressing."
She picked up her cognac, just to have something to do with her hands as she spoke. "Young Potter has obviously been a patient under my care more often than I care to see any student. And while I do accept some culpability that I didn't follow my instincts, I was prevented from getting even the least intrusive scans by Albus."
Severus seemed to turn to stone as she spoke, his face going blank and his eyes flattening. She hated that she had seen this same expression on his face since he was a youth, and it boded ill for how he would accept what she was going to say next.
"Tonight," she continued, "I was able to do more extensive spells and it became obvious to me, that aside from the injuries Harry has incurred here, he has several other healed, but not treated bone breaks, many long-healed soft tissue injuries, and at least two bouts of pneumonia that were left untreated. He has scarring on his lungs. He will need potions for the damage. He also has a mild allergy to mould and dust."
Severus stiffened, his hand tightening around his glass in a death grip of silent shock and outrage. Long healed bone breaks and soft tissue injuries. Suddenly the boy's raggedy clothing he'd assumed was an attempt at a teenage fashion whim, the wrong prescription of glasses, the malnutrition, the boy's wariness, the distrust, the surprise at kindnesses, they all made sense now. They made sense because Severus himself had once been that boy, indeed still was in a sense. He still carried an innate distrust of the motives of others, a wariness he could never shake, surprise at kindnesses shown to him, the lingering sense of deserving no better. He felt fury welling up inside, a fiery fountain of hate toward Petunia Evans. Outwardly, he managed to only hiss, "I see."
Poppy knew well what those two words meant. Severus did see very clearly, just as she had seen his telltale injuries when he was a child. If only there had been an agency for her to report his abuse to, who knew how things might have changed for both him and his mother. She repressed a sigh, crying and spilt milk was fine and good, but it never helped.
She took another sip, letting the warmth of cognac spread through her. Finally with her fortified courage she said, "Potions aren't the only thing the boy needs, Severus. The boy needs to speak to someone, It could be you or…"
She met his glittering eyes. So much pain was in them, so much anger. She continued, "During the summer holiday I took the course required by the Ministry for all persons in the medical profession. The FAC has several counsellors that they can recommend. I think this would do both Harry and any other child in that situation some real good."
She placed her glass back on the table and rose, "Oh, look at the time! I should let you get your rest."
Severus carefully set his glass down, resisting the urge to throw it into the fireplace, and stood.
"Thank you, Poppy," he said, the tightly controlled evenness of his voice masking his inner rage. "I will consult with Charity Burbage regarding the services her department offers. In the meantime, the boy's health issues are of immediate concern to me. I believe I will be able to adjust Li's potion to accommodate an allergy application, as well as a healing application for the scarring in his lungs. The boy has already accepted he'll take the nutrient potion, may as well make it all purpose if possible. He'll have all he needs, and it will save me brewing time. As you know, the Wolfsbane potion is difficult and time consuming, however, if that creature is to be amongst us, I would rather be safe than sorry. I will have a new batch of Calming Draught for you by tomorrow evening. Let us hope it is not needed until then." He accompanied the mediwitch to the fireplace, holding out the container of floo powder to her.
"I just wish…" He stepped away, letting his lank hair obscure his face as he let his head fall forward. He was hiding, just as he had done when he was a child. Her heart still ached for his prickly self. Poppy took a pinch of the powder, but before she left, she dipped her head to look into Severus' shuttered eyes. "You are a good man, Severus. Don't let anyone tell you any different."
Severus gave her a grim imitation of a smile, then watched her spin away. He returned to his drink, throwing back the last of the whiskey.
"Not so good, Poppy," he muttered to himself, thinking he wished he'd hexed Petunia Evans into oblivion when he'd had the chance. He swallowed hard, trying to reconcile his rage at Petunia for her treatment of Lily's son, with his guilt at his own prior treatment of him, and failure to recognise the now obvious signs of neglect and abuse. His anger at it all, including himself, won out, and he suddenly turned and flung his glass into the now dark fireplace. It shattered with a crash, not unlike his own life, and with that thought, stalked off to an undoubtedly sleepless night.