Chapter 1

TW: rape, sexual assault, child abuse

Harry boarded the train to Hogwarts, ecstatic to be going back to the only place he'd been able to call home. This past summer had been the worst one yet. Since Dudley was a growing boy, Uncle Vernon declared that he needed his second bedroom back. So it was back to the cupboard under the stairs for Harry.

Harry couldn't tell if he had grown or if the cupboard had shrunk. He didn't fit on the small cot and the only way he could fit was by curling up which wasn't very comfortable to spend every night like that.

On top of that, he was only allowed to have scraps of food, or whatever was leftover after each meal. And since his uncle and cousin were fat pigs, that was often nothing. Because he had gotten barely any food over the summer, the bruising and whip marks he had from Uncle Vernon's beatings were taking forever to heal. Before he boarded the train, he had to put on a glamour charm.

When he arrived at school for his second year, he didn't pay attention to any of the announcements as he eagerly awaited the food to be put out. He was starving.

When it finally appeared, he wolfed down two plates of food before Ron could even finish one.

"Golly Mate," Ron spoke, "You're hungry."

Harry grinned sheepishly, "Yeah I forgot to eat this morning before I left the house."

They got their schedules handed out and before he knew it, Harry was sitting in Lockhart's classroom for DADA.

Throughout the class, Lockhart kept coming up to Harry, putting his hand on his shoulder or standing up behind him to help him with the assignment. He supposed he was just jumpy from his Uncle's abuse all summer because it made him uncomfortable.

He didn't like the unwanted attention despite his classmate's thoughts. He could see them rolling their eyes every time Harry was given attention or applause for doing the same things everyone else was doing. He didn't need any more reasons for people to look at him differently and he really just wanted Lockhart to leave him alone.

His next class was Snape's and he again got too much attention but this time not for doing well. Snape nitpicked every little thing he did, not failing to tell him when he messed up.

"Come to my office tomorrow evening for detention Potter," Snape snarled at him at the end of class, "You obviously need extra practice getting your potions right."

"Yes sir," Harry muttered. Harry didn't have enough energy to fight him on it. He was exhausted and hungry and weak.

He got up and left class without any further discussion. How odd, thought Snape. No backtalk, no argument.

The next afternoon after Lockhart's class, Harry got up to go to Snape's detention but Lockhart called him over to his desk.

"Ah, Harry. I was hoping you might stay and help me out around the classroom tonight. Us celebrities gotta stick together. I could use some help replying to fanmail."

Harry didn't like being grouped in the same category as Lockhart and for the first time, he was glad to have detention with Snape, "Sorry Professor. I've got detention with Snape."

Lockhart stood up and put his arm around Harry's shoulder, pulling him against his chest as he led him over to his office, "Nonsense. You'll serve your detention with me instead. Snape won't mind."

Harry tried to protest, "He won't like me not showing up Sir. I really think I should go."

"Don't fret my boy. I'll send him an owl letting him know. Now come sit next to me."

Harry didn't want to argue with a professor so he did as he was told, hoping Snape couldn't be mad at him since he was just doing as he was told by another professor.

Harry was tense at Lockhart's touch although he wasn't really sure why. Lockhart's fingers rubbed up and down Harry's arm as he led him slowly to a chair beside his desk. He pushed him down and placed a pile of letters in front of him.

Harry began replying to the fan mail upon Lockhart's request. Halfway through, Lockhart leaned over the desk and a jar of ink spilled onto Harry's pants.

Lockhart clicked his tongue, "Gosh sorry Harry. I'm a clutz. Let me help you with that."

He grabbed a towel and started rubbing the ink stain off of Harry's thigh. Lockhart's hand wandered higher than Harry thought the ink had spilled but didn't think much of it. Lockhart was an adult and his professor, he knew what he was doing.

Harry's heart started beating faster, a pit growing in his gut. He didn't quite understand what he was feeling, he just felt wrong. And slightly uncomfortable being alone with the professor. When Lockhart's hand ventured higher up Harry's thigh, he jumped up.

"What are you doing Harry? I'm just trying to help," Lockhart smiled up at him.

"Uh right. Thanks, Professor. It's all out now though thank you. I actually should get back to my dorm now since it's almost curfew." Harry spoke, his tone even.

Lockhart nodded once, "Sure Harry. Have a nice evening."

A few minutes after Harry left, Snape entered the classroom, to find a red-faced Lockhart sitting behind his desk. He was panting like he was out of breath but tried to even his breathing when Snape walked in.

"Hello there Severus," Lockhart said with a bright smile.

"I just wanted to come by and tell you that it's completely unacceptable to take students from my detention. I let it slide this once but it won't happen again, is that understood?"

Lockhart's smile didn't falter, "Of course Severus. My apologies. Harry is just such…great company."

Snape looked the man up and down, not being able to put his finger on what was off about him. "Right. Well. Don't let it happen again."