It's My Life
At the moment, Harry could only stay on the couch and stare ahead at not just the Malfoy family, but Severus Snape, his potions professor at Hogwarts. Harry's eyes had widened, even his mouth hanging open with some surprise at what he was told by Severus. The man was there to help him? Nothing made sense to Harry anymore. The only person who wasn't giving him the creeps and mass amounts of uncertainty was Narcissa because though she was a Malfoy, by marriage; the woman had never done anything to him in his last fifteen years of life. Lucius had tried to kill Harry in second year, and he was there when Voldemort came back to life almost two months ago now. Harry knew Lucius was a death eater, and inside Voldemort's inner circle.
And Draco, that was enough said; the two of them had been rivals since first year when Harry rejected his friendship after Draco insulted Ron. With Severus, Harry really didn't know what to make of that. Yes, Harry knew that Severus had been looking out for him in first year because Quirrell had jinxed Harry's broom and Severus was muttering a counter curse to help him. Then there was also third year, where Severus nearly got himself killed against a transformed Remus Lupin as a werewolf. Severus also inadvertently taught Harry the spell he used against Voldemort, Expelliarmus; the disarming charm.
Severus wanting to help and making it known is what made Harry cautious. Sure, the man had been looking out for him, but to openly admit it? The other instances were because they needed to be done, and Severus was a teacher; it was his job to safeguard his students. So why did Severus now want to actively help Harry? Didn't Severus hate him? The weirder bits were Lucius and Draco wanting to help. Harry didn't know what to believe or think, but he supposed he could be cautious and hesitant until things were proven to him. Harry knew he'd be safe with Narcissa and Severus, and he trusted Narcissa. She, much like Molly Weasley, displayed the motherly affection towards him.
"He's been silent for ten minutes," Draco commented quietly.
"I think he's in shock," Lucius replied to his son.
"That would be my guess," Narcissa shrugged. Harry finally seemed to snap out of his stupor and his eyes glanced to the people around him. "I know it's a lot to process, Harry," She informed the fifteen-year-old. "But I promise we speak the truth. I expect that you will require time and proof of intent through actions to trust us fully, but for now…Can you agree to give us a chance?"
"Not to offend your son, husband, or even you, Professor…But I have no problems trusting you, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry informed the woman as she gave a surprised look. "You've never wronged me. I may have only just met you, but I don't gather the feeling you're a danger to me, nor want to bring any harm to me." He said calmly.
"You'd be correct. I have no intent to cause you any grief or harm," Narcissa nodded.
"I do, however, have a problem with those three…" Harry motioned head to the other three males. "Mr. Malfoy was going to use the killing curse on me at the end of second year. And Draco has made it his mission to give me a hard time at school. Forgive my lack of faith in trusting either of them right away."
"No offense taken, Mr. Potter," Lucius told him. "You have fair reasoning as to why you won't trust my son and I. If it helps any, I apologize for trying to kill you. You were only helping that elf get away from me, and I was cruel to him."
"And you gave the diary of Tom Riddle to Ginny Weasley…Causing her to be possessed by a young Voldemort," Harry reminded.
"I am guilty of that as well," Lucius agreed. He couldn't deny it, and if he wanted Harry to trust him; honesty was required. "I had orders to follow."
"Why do you call him by his name?" Draco asked.
"Cause that's his name. Why hide it with that ominous he who shall not be named?" Harry responded. "I'm not afraid of saying his name, and I'm certainly not scared of him either."
"You're brave," Narcissa chuckled.
"I'm a Gryffindor." Harry shrugged.
"Through and through," Draco chuckled. "A lot of the Slytherin's believe you would have thrived with us, though," He added.
"So the hat believed as well," Harry muttered.
"What?" The other four asked in surprise.
"The hat told you that you should be in Slytherin?" Draco questioned. "Then why in the name of Merlin did you get put with the lions?"
"Because I asked it to." Harry informed.
"You…Asked?" Severus looked at Harry, who nodded to confirm.
"I didn't know it was possible to request a house," Narcissa said, shocked.
"What did it tell you?" Severus asked.
Harry had to think for a moment, back to five years ago. Nearly five in another month, actually. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh yes and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you." He recalled. "I had been muttering, not Slytherin and then it said, Not Slytherin, eh? You could be great you know. It's all here, in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness, no doubt about that." He paused. "After I insisted again, not to be put in Slytherin, it set me in Gryffindor."
"You shouldn't have fought it." Draco rolled his eyes.
"After meeting you and your ridiculous arrogant views of things before going into the hall, I wanted nothing to do with Slytherin." Harry admitted.
"Well, you're very forward in your beliefs." Draco stated. "I suppose, if roles were reversed, I'd have not taken my friendship either." He chuckled. "I'm sorry for being a prat to you all these years. You're not so bad…"
"Gee, thanks." Harry rolled his eyes. "Moving on…It's still gonna take more convincing than agreeing with and talking to me with apologies for me to trust you three."
"I've never hurt you…" Severus remarked.
"But you do hate me. It shows at school. The only thing I can't figure out is why…You've hated me since the day I arrived at Hogwarts, but how can you hate someone you've never met before?" Harry countered.
"As a show of good faith, I'll give you that answer," Severus stated. "I went to school with your parents, and your father was quite the bully and rather spoiled as an only child to his parents. I openly admit that when I first laid eyes on you in the great hall that night of your first year…All I saw was a carbon copy of the one who tormented me through my Hogwarts education. Your father was exceedingly arrogant, but like Mr. Malfoy, as in Draco, has been to you these past years." Severus explained as Harry was surprised. "Your father was lazy, and had a huge disregard for the rules as well. Alas, I should not have taken my hate of your father out on you and for that…I apologize."
"Did my mother give you a hard time too?" Harry wondered. "You said you went to school with both, but only mentioned my father's transgressions against you. I suppose I'm wondering where my mother played into it all."
"A fair inquiry. Your mother and I grew up together in the same neighborhood." Severus said. "We were good friends."
"So then…You know my aunt?" Harry asked.
"Unfortunately. She was quite mean to your mother after she got accepted into Hogwarts, always calling her-," Severus started.
"A freak?" Harry supplied.
"That's right. I assume she's told stories then?" Severus asked.
"No, I know what she called my mother because she calls me one too. She first said it when Hagrid came to get me for first year…Referring to my mother and some boy." Harry replied. "Were you…The boy she meant?"
"Likely." Severus nodded.
"So…You've known me all my life then?" Harry looked at him.
"I have," Severus nodded.
"To be fair, Harry, you're rather famous and a legend to all those who survived the first wizarding war, and of course, to your schoolmates." Lucius commented.
"I know, but I don't like the attention. Yes, I'm the boy who lived, but that's just it…I didn't do anything. It was my mother's sacrifice, throwing herself between Voldemort and I, that protected me and temporarily destroyed him. It wasn't me. I just…Survived." Harry remarked. "Glad everyone knows me, but I didn't do anything worthy of being claimed famous." He sighed.
"Then from now on…We'll only refer to you as the well-known boy who lived." Narcissa said, hoping it would offer some level of comfort to Harry. It was clear he didn't like being called famous.
"As well as knowing you all your life, Harry," Severus started again. "You should well know by now that I've looked out for you all these years too. A final promise to your mother to protect her only son…" Severus admitted. "I've never harmed you, Harry and I promise that I never will. If nothing else right now until I've earned it…I hope you'll trust that I won't hurt you. That I will keep you safe to the best of my abilities."
"I can trust in your ensuring my safety and that you will not hurt me. Trusting you as a person will, unfortunately, have to be earned. But I can respect all three of you," He referred to Lucius, Draco, and Severus. "And hope you know that it'll take time for me to trust you, and are willing to take the time to show me I can."
"Wonderful!" Narcissa beamed. "Now…Harry, forgive my forwardness…But you're not in the best shape right now and we called on Severus last night to give you the proper potions to help your recovery. As you know, it will take a bit of work to restore your body from the abuse it's taken over the years. Do you have a problem with Severus treating you consciously?"
"No, that's fine…" Harry replied.
"Then we'll leave you two to handle all that." Narcissa worked to usher her husband and son from the room with her. The two males left. "I'm sure you'd like to freshen up a bit, Harry dear. When you've finished your potions, Severus can call one of the elves to take you to the bathroom. There will be a set of things for you to use, as well, a fresh pair of clothes."
"Thank you, ma'am," Harry bowed his head to her.
Narcissa nodded and left the room. Severus set his bag down and transfigured it to a large cabinet with his wand, and opened the doors.
"To start," Severus began. "We didn't want to invade your privacy by stripping you last night to check the physical aspect of your body from the abuse. I only used magic to switch the clothes you were in to what you are now. No one saw anything."
"Appreciate that," Harry replied.
"I mentioned this because I would now like you to tell me if you have any fresh injuries that need tending. I only gave you, last night, potions for nutrients, pain, and light sleeping draught. If there are injuries that have not yet healed due to being given recently, I need to know to ensure you get the proper potions to heal properly without infection. I've given you honesty, I expect it back now."
"I've got marks on my back that bled a bit from yesterday, and my ribs hurt." Harry admitted calmly.
"I don't believe your ribs are broken, or it would have shown up on the diagnostic charm I ran last night. Cracked or broken would have shown, so yours must be bruised. There isn't much I can do for those except pain potion, unfortunately. For your back…Will you allow me to see?" Severus questioned. Harry nodded as he got up slowly, trying not to move too much because of his ribs and had his back to Severus while raising his shirt up to reveal the marks to his professor. It was embarrassing for Harry, but for trust to work; he had to give them some benefit of the doubt. Severus only inspected for a moment of two. "Keep your shirt up like that. I'm going to apply a salve to promote healing and protection from infection. It will be cold, at first, then it will warm." Harry only nodded once as Severus did what he said he would. "Alright, you can lower your shirt now and return to facing me," Harry did so, going back to sitting down.
"These are all the potions I gave you last night, except the sleeping draught." Severus gave Harry a few small vials. Harry silently took them down, only making a small face of disgust at the taste. "The pain potion should last about four hours, but if you feel pain before then at a level six or higher on a scale of one to ten; let me know."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied.
"Good. Now, I'm going to call the house elf to let you go clean up and change." Severus informed. Harry nodded again. "Rorky." The potions master said.
A male elf appeared. "Master Severus has calls for Rorky, sir?"
"Lead Mr. Potter to the guest bathroom." Severus informed.
"Of course, Master Severus. Mr. Potter will please come with Rorky," The house elf, Rorky, said.
Harry stood up to go with the elf. "Call for Rorky when you're finished, Potter. He will bring you to the dining room for breakfast afterward." Severus said.
"Yes, Professor," Harry replied and then left with Rorky.
. . .
Everything since waking up confused Harry, and all he gathered was the Malfoy's and Professor Snape wanted to help him. Whatever with, Harry had no clue, but his assumption was maybe getting him away from his abusive relatives. In truth, it was really only Vernon who did the physical. Once in a while, Petunia might smack him upside the head, across the mouth, or shove him out of the way. Dudley was a bully, hurting him for fun, but not punishment. Harry made his shower quick, and changed into the clothes that were waiting for him once he was dry. Harry left the bathroom and only said Rorky's name once before the elf appeared to lead Harry to the dining room where he found the Malfoy's waiting for him. It seemed Severus had left, for the time being.
"Harry, there you are," Narcissa smiled. "Come, come. Join us for breakfast," She invited with her hand motioning where to sit, which was next to Draco. "How are you feeling after the potions and shower?"
"Much better, thank you," Harry replied lightly.
"I'm so pleased to hear that." Narcissa said. "Severus will be back later, he had some things to take care of. For now, we shall eat." She clapped her hands. "Lisley," A female elf appeared. "Bring out breakfast, please?"
"Yes, Ma'am," The elf, Lisley, replied.
. . .
After breakfast had been consumed, and now cleaned up, the group just sat there.
"Harry, if I may request you come with me to my office to talk?" Lucius asked
"May I inquire then what about?" Harry replied.
"After the events of last night, it is indefinite that you be permanently removed from the care of your aunt and uncle. In order to situate you elsewhere and ensure nothing untoward takes place by others interfering; I'll need to know some information." Lucius replied.
"Dumbledore said I couldn't be away from their house during the summer because of the blood wards." Harry stated.
"Which is only set up for the sake of not allowing anyone to enter the premises with intent to harm you. It is there to protect you, but how protected are you inside them?" Narcissa mentioned. "You aren't, so that makes for a good argument on being removed. Not to worry, dear. Lucius is very good the law and politics; he is on the Hogwarts Board of Governors as well. Dumbledore forcing you to stay in an abusive home on that pitiful reasoning is inexcusable."
"It's precisely why we need to talk, Harry. I need an inside look of your life there to make a strong case. It should be fairly easy, Dumbledore shouldn't have any say over your decisions in life. Only your guardians can do that and in standing right now, that would be your aunt and uncle. They've claimed to not want you there, so we're going to move you under new guardianship." Lucius informed.
"And who exactly would that be under? The Weasley's? Molly has been trying to take custody of me since second year when she learned my uncle put those locks on the door, and bars on the window..." Harry muttered.
"We feel that might be too easy for Dumbledore to access you. As I explained; he shouldn't have a say in where you go. He is the school's headmaster, yes, but beyond those walls during holiday; he shouldn't have a say. I feel that in the absence of having your parents, and your godfather; Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to act as your magical guardian. Which more or less means that your aunt and uncle have custody over you, but Dumbledore is the one making all the decisions." Lucius told him calmly. "Let us help you, Harry. I know you do not trust us, but allow us a chance to earn yours by helping you out of this unfortunate and horrible situation. I have the social capitol to change things. It will take time, but we can get you away from your aunt and uncle, and ensure Dumbledore can't control you anymore."
"Control me?" Harry asked.
"That or he's just becoming senile in his age," Draco snickered. "Either way…What Father is saying, Harry, is that he has the power to ensure Dumbledore can't make you do anything. Right now, he decides everything for you because he's become your guardian. Self-appointed. He's knowingly sent you back to your abusers, claiming it's only punishment. That's not right. My father, even my mother, would kill someone for my safety. The only person they trust to watch over me at Hogwarts is Sev; he's my godfather."
"Explains so much on why you're the favorite in class." Harry ended up rolling his eyes. "Moving on. Mr. Malfoy, I don't mind sitting down to talk to you so we can get this ball rolling, as it were. I just have one question,"
"I may have an answer for you," Lucius said.
"If I am not going back to my aunt and uncle, obviously not Hogwarts, or the Weasley's…Then who, may I ask, is going to be taking me in? You and your family?" Harry inquired.
"For security reasons regarding the dark lord…" Lucius paused as Harry understood that Voldemort must come to the Malfoy Manor at random since Lucius was part of the inner circle, and marked by Voldemort. "Your safest place from both the dark lord and Dumbledore, until things are secured that he cannot make decisions for you-,"
"Lucius, don't beat around the bush. Harry, for now, it would be best if you were to remain under Severus's care." Narcissa informed.
Harry's eyes widened again. He was…Going to be living with Snape?!