Chapter 23

Where is Max?

Harry had woken early again. His nightmares were worse than normal. He'd taken his last two potions this morning. He'd taken the stomach soother in hopes that he wouldn't throw up after the horrific nightmare. When that had only sort of helped the situation, he had downed the calming draft to keep himself from lapsing into a full-on panic. Both seemed to have worn off now and he felt anxious and queasy again.

Snape had shut his door again last night. The first time it had woken him up. Apparently, he'd not heard the second time. When he'd awaken before sunrise in the dark room and the door closed, he'd initially thought he was locked back in his room at Privet Drive. Once he'd gotten the door open again, he hadn't been able to calm down on his own and had then taken the potions. He'd sat on the floor and allowed the calming effects of the potion to take over. Then like yesterday he'd sat on the floor until he'd heard sounds from across the hall.

He was now making breakfast again. He hoped he wouldn't upset Snape again. He didn't think the man had meant to hurt him, but he now sported hand shaped bruises on both of his upper arms. The one from being hauled from Dumbledore's office didn't bother him much. The one overlaying his road rash however was nearly agonizing. He'd used the very end of his bruise balm on it. He'd attempted to use burn salve on the road rash, but it hadn't helped. He needed healing balm, and he hadn't thought to take the pot of it from Grimmauld. The wounds running down the left side of his body had pulled open a few times in different spots and bled again as he had worked over the last two days.

Harry sighed as he turned the bacon. The toast popped from the toaster and the coffee was done. He plated the food and poured the coffee just as he heard Snapes steps coming down the stairs. He stepped in front of the sink and waited for his instructions for the day.

Harry was startled by the sudden shrill ring of the telephone. He'd not expected it at all. He wasn't sure what to do. His aunt and uncle had always forbidden him from using the phone at all. 'Freaks have no need' they'd said. But Perhaps Snape expected him to answer? He didn't know.

A moment later Snape stomped past him muttering under his breath. He pulled the phone off the wall on its fourth ring and held it to his ear.

"Hello." Snape said gruffly.

Harry could not hear who was on the other end or what was being said. Snape seemed to just be listening. Harry swallowed hard. He had started to feel a little dizzy this morning. He needed to drink more water today. He'd only eaten soup for lunch the first day he'd been here. He was used to going without, but he needed to stay hydrated if he didn't want to pass out.

"Very well. I'll be there shortly." Snape said.

"Goodbye." Snape said with a sigh. He then hung up the phone.

Harry watched as Snape walked closer to him and he felt his body shake slightly. He tried to tell himself he was probably safe, but his body wouldn't listen to him.

"The polite thing to do when a phone is ringing, is answer it Potter." Snape spat at him.

"Although I'm sure that seems beneath you." Snape said over his shoulder as he made his way to the table.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, Sir." Harry said softly.

He stayed still as a statue and as he often did at the Dursley's, pretended he didn't exist.

When he saw that Snapes plate and coffee cup were empty He took the plate and refilled his cup. He went about washing the plate and nearly dropped it when he heard Snape speak from directly behind him.

"Potter." Snape said with an annoyed tone.

Harry spun around with the plate still in his hand. It dripped soapy water onto his trainers and the floor.

Snape sneered at the mess he was making.

Harry gulped and set the plate as gently as he could into the sink. Then he turned back to face the potions master.

"I need to address a matter in town as well as collect a few supplies. You are to collect your schoolwork and work in the office. When I return, we will be resuming Occlumency lessons. You will not leave this house. You will not do magic. You will not go snooping about my house. Am I clear?" Snape hissed menacingly.

"Yes, Sir." Harry said with a gulp and tried his hardest to keep eye contact with the man.

"Very well. I will be back shortly."

Snape spun on his heels and although he wasn't wearing his teaching robes Harry knew they would have billowed around him if he'd been wearing them. Currently, he was wearing an all-black outfit. Harry noticed it was simple black muggle jeans and a black dress shirt tucked in, instead of his normal wizarding clothes. Harry briefly wondered if the man owned anything in any other color.

When Harry heard the front door slam shut, he quickly finished the washing. He made quick work of mopping the floor. He'd only planned to clean the spot where he had dribbled the dish water but once he had started, he felt the whole room should probably be mopped.

Harry collected his essays, notes and books and entered the office for the first time. He found, like the sitting room, it was filled with bookcases crammed full of books. He let his eyes wander the spines and found several books that he'd like to read. He wouldn't dare touch them though.

His homework was all finished so he figured he would go over his essays and make some corrections if necessary. Then he would revise for a while.

He hesitated as to where to sit. There was a large desk and chair on one side and then there was an overstuffed armchair with a small side table. Harry didn't feel comfortable taking either seat, so he sat on the floor. He made sure he was facing the door but away from it and settled in.

Severus walked quickly. Mary had called nearly frantic. She hadn't said what was wrong but after his last conversation with her he assumed it had to do with the kid. Severus just hoped whatever damage the hooligan had managed would be fixable.

When he made it to the Book Nook, he took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

"Oh Severus, I'm so glad you're here." Mary said walking around the counter and right up to him.

"What's happened?" Severus asked, taking a quick look around. Nothing seemed to be out of sorts. At least the kid hadn't trashed the store.

"It's Max." Mary fretted.

Severus watched the usually composed woman wringing her hands.

"Why don't we take a seat, and you can tell me what the miscreant has done." Severus said.

They walked over and took their seats. Severus waited for Mary to talk.

"He hasn't done anything. But…no one has seen him since Saturday." Mary replied.

"Hardly cause for such alarm. The boy is a runaway. Perhaps he just went home." Severus tried.

"God, I hope not." Mary cried.

Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

"Max has been doing pretty well here. He's been working for Jack and then helping me in the evenings at home. He just got paid on Friday and well we had a bit more excitement. But he was okay…" Mary trailed off.

"What did the boy do this time?" Severus asked neutrally.

"Johnny, the Harding's little boy." Mary paused and Severus nodded.

"Julie was helping them get a new pup. The boy took off out of the shop with the little thing. He ran out into the street and nearly got hit by a car. Max ran out in front of the car and saved him." Mary explained.

Severus was mildly impressed.

"So, savior of abused women and dunderheaded children, walks little old lady's home. What's next? Saving kittens from trees?" Severus joked.

Mary glared at being called old and Severus smirked back.

"Still doesn't mean he didn't just go home. If the kid has such strong morals, he probably has a loving home and just decided it was time to go back." Severus explained rationally.

Mary looked incredibly sad and shook her head.

Severus raised a brow in question.

"Maggie went to check on him the day after we talked. She wanted to make sure the boy was all right after he had his run in with Mark. Apparently, the boy came to the door topless. He was covered in bruises and scars. Some looked very old. Whatever has happened to Max isn't new. Maggie also said he had some scars on his arms that looked like he had hurt himself before. She thought maybe some rather new and large ones might have been a suicide attempt earlier in the summer. Maybe why we got him." Marry finished and pursed her lips.

Severus sighed. That was a lot.

"What makes you think he's missing and didn't just leave?" Severus asked.

"He told me he had an errand and would be back by noon to help with my roof. He never came back. He also paid Maggie for the week. He worked hard for that money. If he wasn't going to stay why pay for the week?" Mary asked.

Mary had a point. Street kids usually made sure they had their basic needs taken care of first. Food and shelter. If the kid had already paid for his shelter, why would he leave?

"Maggie…Maggie said she never saw him leave." Mary said quietly.

Severus mind stopped a little.

"What do you need me to do?" Severus asked as neutrally as he could. He started slamming up his occlumency shields as fast as he could.

Mary took a deep breath.

"Maggie called earlier. She wants to check his room but she's afraid." Mary answered.

They sat quietly for a moment.

"Very well. I'll go over. No sense in worrying about the worst before we know." Severus answered quietly.

"I'll come with you." Mary said.

Mary had stayed with Maggie in the office at Severus recommendation. If he was about to find a dead child neither of them needed to see that.

Severus took a deep breath and put the key in the lock. He steeled his nerves. He'd seen plenty of dead people, even children, but it never got easier.

He turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Severus was pleasantly surprised to find not only an empty room but a rather neat room for a teenager. The bed was made and there was no sign of a bag or any loose trash. Severus took another deep breath and pushed open the bathroom door which stood slightly open. Again, no sign of the child. Severus looked around but didn't see anything out of order.

It looked like the boy had just packed up and left. That still didn't make sense though. Why take his things if he intended to come back? Why pay for the week and not stay? What teen is this neat in their personal space. Severus noticed something under the bathroom counter and kneeled to see. He was surprised to find a small pot of bruise balm.

Severus picked it up and looked at it critically. Could this be a wizarding child? Severus had heard that several of the muggle-borns had left home because of attacks either on themselves or friends. Did they have any that weren't accounted for? Herbert had some bruise balm, but this container was not Severus' making. He could tell by the small impurities he could see in what was left in the container. If the child had used this much and Maggie was still seeing bruises on him, they must have been very deep. He stuck the container in his pocket.

He glanced around again. He didn't notice anything else. As he left the room, he locked the door. He would need to contact Albus and make sure all the muggle-borns were accounted for. He didn't think a half-blood or Pureblood could have blended in as well as this child apparently had. This also raised questions about what kind of situation the child had fled. Had the bruising been from familiar abuse as Mary and Maggie had suggested or had they had a run in with Death Eaters and somehow managed to escape injured but alive.

Although that wouldn't explain the apparent scarring.

Severus pulled open the door to the office and was greeted by identical pleading looks.

"The boy isn't there. Looks like he packed everything when he left." Severus said.

They both looked relieved by the news but still sad.

"Tell me more about the boy." Severus said.

"He showed up here early one day looking for a room and work. He had a fair amount of cash on him, and I was worried he'd stolen it. He said his friend had loaned it to him, that he lived nearby but that he couldn't stay with them." Maggie explained.

Severus considered which wizarding families might live close by. Within walking distance there were a few but if this child was Hogwarts age, then Severus would guess the McMillians. They lived a ways out of town but the other families either had very young children or ones that had long since graduated. Of course, the child may be friends with an adult.

"What else?" Severus asked.

"He was looking for work. I just had a feeling about him. So, I took a chance and brought him to Grandma to help with the shop. Julie paid for his stay the second week. Then the boy paid me on Friday. I saw him come back Saturday night and that was it." Maggie concluded.

"Mary mentioned that you saw some injuries on the boy?" Severus asked.

He hoped he could get enough information to use it to narrow down his search. As if his summer hadn't been stressful enough.

Maggie looked a little sick.

"Yes…The morning after he'd gotten into it with Mark Baker. He'd run off before Doctor Brown could come to look at him. I'd heard he'd been knocked unconscious and wanted to make sure he was ok." Maggie spoke quietly.

"What did you see?" Severus asked softly. He didn't like Maggie very much, but he could tell the woman was having a difficult time.

"When he opened the door, he had his head down and his hair was kind of hanging in his face. He was just in a pair of jeans. He…um he was so thin. You could see just about every bone in the kid's poor body. He was um…Just covered in bruises. Some look like they had faded but they were dark. He had one that look like maybe he'd been slammed into something with an edge like a table." Maggie choked out. She raised her hand and wiped her eyes.

Maggie's tears made Severus uncomfortable, but the tale of the boy was worrisome. If She was right and some of the bruises had begun to heal it indicated it hadn't been a one-off fight living on the street or a run in with Death Eaters.

"He um…He had a lot of scars too. Some looked really old. He had some that looked new on his arms, but he looked… I don't know…I've never seen anything like it. It was bad. I was worried about some of the newer scars. They um seemed like they might have been something he'd done to himself. It's why I called Grandma this morning when no one had seen him for a few days. I… I was worried he'd hurt himself." Maggie said, her words slowly trailed off into almost whispers.

Fuck. Severus thought. Part of him hoped this kid was still around and was a wizarding child so he might be able to get him somewhere safe. If he was a muggle-born he wasn't safe just running around. However, another part of him did not want to be responsible for such an abused child. He'd dealt with a few at school. Their parents mostly favored curses and hexes. He'd had a few that took a more physical muggle method though.

"It was heartbreaking to see. When he came round the office later, he apologized. Said it wouldn't happen again. Like he needed to apologize for me seeing him like that. It was so sad." Maggie said.

"The look of shame and embarrassment in that kids' eyes." Maggie said shaking her head.

"Was there anything else you noticed?" Severus asked.

"He'd been drinking. He didn't seem drunk but when he came to the door, I could smell it on his breath. Saw a bottle sitting on the side table. Looked mostly full, like he'd only taken a few sips. It had a strange label, like a dragon. I thought it seemed expensive for a street kid. They usually go for cheap beer or box wine to get drunk." Maggie added.

The kid had a bottle of firewhiskey? Almost certainly a wizard then.

"Who else has he been around?" Severus asked.

"Jane, over at the diner. He spent his first paycheck pretty quick, and we wanted to make sure he was eating. He's been having breakfast over there every morning. I had him for dinner every night this week. He won't eat much, but I always make sure he eats something. He's also been working with Jack. Max seems to be getting along with him well. He's done a few odd jobs for Julie, and she was there when he saved Johnny. So was Herbert, although I don't think Max had met him before then. The poor kid did a number on himself diving across the road like that." Mary said.

Severus tried to take in all the information he could. This kid just didn't fit in with anyone he could think of.

"What does he look like again?" Severus asked.

"Dark long hair, blue eyes, freckles across his nose. Short and thin." Maggie answered.

"Cute little dimples when he actually smiles or laughs." Mary added with a sigh.

"When did you see him laugh?" Maggie asked curiously.

"I've seen it twice. A true laugh that is. Once when he was in the shop with Julie and the puppy she had gotten for Johnny. When I came into the shop the look on his face was so pure and full of joy. Like a kid should be. He almost seemed younger. He was giggling. It was such a precious sight to see on such a stressed young man. The other time I caught him laughing at a children's book in the shop." Mary answered.

"Do you think he's got some kind of delay? A reaction like that from a children's book and a puppy?" Severus asked cautiously.

Mary shook her head.

"No, we've talked quite a bit this last week. He's stayed late visiting a few nights. He's highly intelligent I… I think it is more like emotionally stunted. Like he never got to be a child. The way he behaves, the skills he has for his age. It's just not normal. This kid has had to much asked of him for a long time." Mary answered.

Severus didn't know what to think.

"Well, there's unfortunately little we can do if he doesn't show back up. I'll be back in town for the foreseeable future. I've been given temporary custody of a student." Severus admitted with a sigh. He rubbed his face. Could this summer get more stressful? He'd wait to contact Albus. No sense in getting the headmaster involved if he was wrong and it wasn't a magical child.

"You? Housing a child?" Maggie said with a small smirk.

"Unfortunately." Severus drawled.

"Will we get to meet the poor unfortunate soul?" Maggie asked.

Severus wanted to be annoyed with Maggie's smug attitude, but honestly it was funny even to him that Albus had decided to stick the brat with him.

"Perhaps. He's on restriction for the time being." Severus drawled.

"I've other business I need to attend to. You may contact me if the boy shows back up. He may have just been staying with his friend if he's got one that's living nearby. Sounds like the boy has had a rather exciting couple of weeks. Perhaps he just needs some down time." Severus tried to reassure. Although even to his own ears it missed the mark.

They said their goodbyes and Severus made his way to the hardware store to collect some items for the house. Then made his way to the grocery store.

As Severus walked the isles of the store, he wondered briefly what Potter would want. He wasn't about to fill his house with biscuits and crisps. However, he did not want to listen to the boy whine about not having anything to eat.

Severus pondered that for a moment. The boy hadn't complained once since he'd come to the house. He hoped there occlumency lesson would allow Severus some insight into what was going on with the boy. Severus had extraordinarily little faith in the lessons being productive, as far as closing the boy's mind. However, if he got some answers the time might not be a complete waste.

Severus made his way through the store and thought no more about the boy. He'd eat what Severus had or he'd just go without.

Harry had found some clever additions to add to several of his summer essays. He felt confident in the work he had done. He had used the books from Grimmauld for additional reference material originally. Now all of those books sat in a box waiting to go back to Sirius. He'd slipped a note in on top when he'd finished packing it. He hoped to get it back to him soon. He felt sick having stolen from Sirius. It was just another in a long line of shameful things he had done.

With a sigh he went back to reading. He'd read all of last year's textbooks each several times and he only had a few additional books that were actually his. Ones that he'd picked up in Diagon last year. The rest of the books in his trunk were just previous years textbooks and he'd read and reread them all. He was now seated with one of his novels from the Book Nook.

He was seated cross legged on the floor with his book splayed open in his lap. He was enjoying the book. Mostly he wished he could just disappear into the pages. A wish he'd had since he'd learned to read.

Harry heard the front door open and then slam shut. Harry closed his book and waited. He felt the muscles in his back tense. Would Snape call for him? Or come barging in? Either way He wanted to be ready to react. Despite not having much to do, he had enjoyed the quiet relaxation of just working on his homework and reading. It was probably the most relaxed he'd felt since coming here. Now his quiet solitude had been broken.

He listened and then heard the footsteps coming closer. He felt his breath catch in his chest as the door flew open.

"Get out here Potter." Snape snapped. He then spun on his heel and stomped away from the office.

Harry set his book on top of his neat stack of textbooks, notes, and essays. Then he jumped to his feet to follow the potions master.

When Harry got to the kitchen there were several bags he recognized as having come from the grocery store. His heart sunk a little. He'd be at the store right now if he'd stayed. If he'd not run off to London.

Harry sighed.

"Well don't just stand there." Snape grumbled.

Harry flinched a little at the abrupt words. He hurried over to the bags and made quick work of putting things away. He used to find it almost as cruel of his aunt to have him put the food away as it was to make him cook. Today was his third day at Snapes and he'd only eaten the small bowl of soup the first day. He knew he was being punished but he hoped Snape would let him eat soon.

Snape had a bag of something from the hardware store in his hands. Harry hoped it wasn't a lock. It had been a small comfort that his door wasn't locked. Even if Snape always closed it. Harrys hands shook a little as he put the last of the groceries away.

Just as he went to ask what he needed to do next the phone rang again.

Snape moved quickly to answer the phone.

"Hello." Severus said.

"Hello Professor, this is Bill Weasley. I'd like to speak with Harry if he is available." Bill said calmly.

Snapes face pinched.

"How did you get this number?" Severus spat.

Severus could feel his blood boiling. How dare they call his house.

"I asked the headmaster. He said you were housing Harry. My family is concerned about him and wanted to check in on him." Bill replied.

"The boy is fine. I do not appreciate my summer being disturbed more than it already has." Severus growled.

"I understand Professor, which is why I'm calling instead of one of my siblings. I'm the one who found him and my family has questions i can't answer. I'm not trying to be an inconvenience. However, Harry's owl is currently at the Burrow and the rest of my family is in Romania right now." Bill tried to explain.

Severus groaned.

"Potter" Severus shouted as he held out the phone.

The boy spun around and looked at him but made no move to get closer.

"Make it quick." Severus said, pushing the phone into the boy's hand and stalking off.

Harry felt his hands shake. Snape was mad. Someone had called him? Who would bother? Why?

Harry raised the phone to his ear.

"H…Hello?" Harry said a little shakily.

"Hi Harry, It's Bill." Bill said.

Harry felt a little weird. He'd never used the phone. To hear it was his friend's older brother was also strange. Harry didn't know Bill well. They had met during the tri-wizard Tournament. Harry had felt very comforted when he and Mrs. Weasley had come to see him. However, that was about the only good thing that had happened in his fourth year.

Why would Bill be calling him though?

"Hi." Harry whispered back.

"Listen. I…Um…I talked to the twins. They're worried about you. They wanted to make sure you were ok." Bill said.

Harry felt like all the blood in his face had just raced to his feet. His heart, which had already been pounding hard from Snapes shouting now felt like it had forgotten how to beat at all.

Had the Twins finally broken there promise? Harry wanted to cry and scream and tell Bill he never wanted to see any of them again.

"They care about you Harry. We all do. They've been worried sick about you. They just want to make sure you don't need anything." Bill said softly.

Harry tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He felt his eyes stinging. Everything was falling apart. He wished he could just disappear. He started pulling the wall up again. He'd managed to have it mostly down while Snape had been gone, but this was too painful.

"Harry are you still there?" Bill asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Yes." Harry answered coldly.

"Did Snape address your face? It looked pretty painful." Bill asked.

"No." Harry responded.

Harry heard a long sigh through the phone.

"Would you like us to send some potions? Do you need anything else?" Bill asked softly.

"Potter!" Snape yelled from the other room. Impatience clear in his voice.

Harry jumped a little at the sound. He pulled his walls up and wrapped them in a layer of self-preservation. He would be able to work and talk but the emotions were completely turned off.

"No. I need to go. Goodbye Bill." Harry said in a monotone.

Harry could hear Bill saying something else but couldn't make it out as he hung up the phone.

Severus sat in his office. He'd been annoyed to find the boy's things in a pile on the floor. A muggle book sitting on top. He was going to enjoy ripping into the boy for disregarding his directions. He was meant to be doing his schoolwork. Not goofing off.

He'd been upset when he'd gotten home. He'd found everything he needed while shopping but his conversation with Mary and Maggie was weighing heavy in his mind. He hoped the boy would show up soon. Severus would like to confirm if it was a wizarding child. If it was, he'd hand him over to Albus to get some help. If he was a muggle Severus would see what they could do. Perhaps a family in town could take him in. If not, he'd have to do more brainstorming.

Severus would also be having a conversation with Albus about handing out his home number. How the old man had even gotten it was confusing.

Severus groaned. Where was Potter?

"Potter." Severus shouted hoping to hurry the boy along. He wanted to get this lesson over so he could go and brew.

A moment later Potter entered the office. He looked pale and shaky. Severus hoped he wasn't getting sick. He had not signed up to be a nursemaid. Merlin only knew where the boy had been staying or what sort of bug he might have picked up on his way.

Severus decided he'd take a dose of Pepper-up just in case.

"Sit, Potter." Severus said and pointed to the chair he'd conjured across from his desk.

He watched as Potter sat at the very edge and looked up to meet his eye.

Severus pulled the boy's wand from his desk. He put it in here last night after he'd taken it away. He had been honest when he'd said it wasn't safe for the boy to be without his wand. He wasn't sure how he could keep the child from using magic and keep him safe. It was technically a wizarding household. The boy wouldn't get a notice for underage magic. However, the whole point he was trying to get across to the boy was that he needed to follow the rules.

Severus had long thought the discrepancy was ridiculous. Underage, unsupervised, children should not be casting magic. Regardless of if they were in a muggle or magical house.

Severus held out the boy's wand and noticed the shaking in the boy's right hand. It was a finer tremor then the boy's overall shakiness. His brows scrunched together at that. Something to keep an eye on for now, he decided.

"Clear your mind, Potter. You know the drill. If you'd like the Dark Lord to stay out of your mind, you're going to need to learn this." Severus hissed as he stepped in front of the boy.

"Yes, Sir." Potter said and stood.

When he had his wand held out Severus cast.

"Legilimens" Severus whispered.

Severus had not put much force behind the spell. The boy's mind had always been wide open. However, when he felt himself just bounce back and not enter the boy's mind, he felt frustrated. Perhaps the boy had finally managed some limited shield. He doubted it but perhaps.

"Legilimens." Severus cast with much more force.

This time he was bounced back with force. Severus felt like he'd run headfirst into a bolder.

Severus scowled. What was happening?

He rubbed his head and glared at the boy who just stood there seemingly unaffected. His wand was held loosely in his hand and hanging by his side.

"Legilimens." Severus nearly screamed.

The force he put behind the spell should have been enough to break even Albus Dumbledore's barriers but instead he found himself knocked back on his desk. Splayed out in a most undignified manner. Potter still standing there seemingly untouched.

Severus pulled himself up and stalked towards the boy.

"What are you playing at, Potter?" Severus growled right in the boy's face.

"Nothing, sir." Potter responded in monotone.

Severus went to say something else and stopped himself. A sudden fear burning in his stomach. The boy had been possessed at the Ministry. Were they sure he'd pushed the Dark Lord out? What if the boy had been captured on the run and possessed again? Severus felt a little sick. It would certainly explain the boy's strange behavior.

Severus' mind raced. If that was true, he was in trouble. He needed to speak to Albus, immediately. Did he take the boy with him? Leave him here? Severus palms sweat a little.

Without second thoughts he cast.

"Stupefy, incarcerous." Severus watched as the boy fell to the ground and ropes shot from his wand and restrained the boy.

Severus felt a woosh of air fill his lungs. He plucked the boy's wand from his hands and made his way to the floo. His heart was pounding, and his hands were sweating.

"Albus Dumbledore's office." Severus said shakily as he threw in a pinch of floo powder.

Albus sat in his office pouring over paperwork. He was still busy undoing all the damage Delores had managed to do. He had also had an unexpected visit from Bill Weasley. He'd requested Harry's location and after being told no, asked if Albus had a way to contact him. He'd felt a little divided giving out Severus' phone number. However, he knew that he'd have an office full of Weasley's if he didn't give them something. Severus had been firm about no visitors and Albus was still hesitant to allow owl mail to the boy.

Bill had also inquired about Remus and Sirius location and if the wards needed to be addressed. Albus wanted to show Sirius that he was being honest in his promise to help him get his freedom. So, he had told Bill where to find them. He'd been shaking at Sirius proclamation of leaving the Order and taking Harry away. Harry was the key to ending the war. He wished the boy could be saved but he knew it was the only way. He'd decided to share the information he had collected on the horcruxes with Severus and Minerva. However, he would not be sharing what he knew about Harry.

Harry had too many people that would hide him away if they learned the truth. They would want to protect the boy. Albus wished he could protect the boy. Every day the war got worse, and people were dying. There wasn't an option to allow Tom to continue his reign of terror. Even if it meant sacrificing the boy.

Albus was startled from his musing by his floo flaming green. A moment later Severus stepped out looking a little grey.

Albus stood and walked to the man. He hoped Harry was all right. Harry running away had been quite enough stress.

"What's wrong, my boy?" Albus asked.

Severus shook his head and waved his wand. Albus felt the wash of strong magic. Albus could hear the buzz of strong wards and raised a questioning eyebrow at Severus.

"Are you sure the Dark Lord left the boy after his possession at the Ministry?" Severus asked.

Albus was taken aback by that question. Yes, he was sure. He'd seen Tom stand over the boy and taunt him after Harry had pushed him out.

"Yes, He was seen after. He confronted you after the fact." Albus said firmly.

Severus nodded his head and looked away for a moment.

"Has Lucius been making regular reports? Do we know where the Dark Lord is?" Severus asked.

"What is the meaning of this, Severus?" Albus asked concerned.

Severus squared his shoulders and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I began the boy's lessons again today. Regardless of the amount of magic I channeled into the spell I could not get into the boy's mind." Severus said.

Albus was concerned about multiple things he had just heard. Had Severus been trying to train the boy by breaking into his mind? Albus had only been on the end of Severus full strength Legilimens once, as a test of his own barriers. It had felt like an ax splitting into his mind. He'd been able to break past his barriers, which had only shown Albus just how strong Severus was.

Lastly Severus had said over and over that the boy's mind was wide open. How could he now have barriers up?"

"Severus come and sit." Albus said waving to the seating in front of his desk.

When they sat down Albus looked over the man. He still looked paler then normal.

"Now, First I have a few questions. Have you only been training Harry by attacking his mind?" Albus asked a little sternly. It was not the right way to teach Occlumency and Severus knew that.

"You were not clear in any instruction other then he needed to learn fast." Severus said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Merlin. No wonder the boy hadn't learned anything. Albus felt anger flow into his veins. He had trusted this task to Severus, and he'd abused the boy instead.

"Severus, you well know that attacking an untrained mind is dangerous and harmful." Albus hissed through clenched teeth.

"Do you remember having me go through your mind when you first came to me? How violating it felt to have Voldemort going through your mind? You allowed those trespasses Severus! You have been forcing yourself on Harry's mind!" Albus growled.

Albus was glad to see an ounce of shame cloud his potion masters' eyes.

"You told me the boy's mind was open. Did you ever help him close it?" Albus asked. He still felt anger rushing through him, but he needed to understand what was happening.

"I told him to clear his mind." Severus responded flatly.

Albus rubbed his face. He was seeing evidence of another of his mistakes. He should have taken responsibility for the boy's lessons. Clearly asking this of Severus had been a mistake.

"Why were you concerned about Voldemort when you arrived?" Albus asked. Trying to focus back on the current issue.

"The boy is either a natural Occlumens or he is being possessed." Severus growled.

"If he is a natural Occlumens he wasted my time and allowed the Dark Lord into his mind. If he is being possessed, then we might have a real problem on our hands." Severus continued.

Albus took in that information and considered the implications.

"Has the boy given any other indications that he is not himself?" Albus asked.

"The boy is nothing like himself. He has not argued or broken a rule. He moves about my house like a ghost." Severus explained.

Albus thought about that. The boy had seemed very out of it when Bill had brought him in. Sirius had claimed there was something wrong with him. Severus had said he was pouting. Albus was unsure. He needed to see the boy for himself.

"Lucius has checked in with Madam Bones every day. The Dark Lord is still residing in Malfoy Manor. There's no way that whatever is going on with the boy is the Dark Lord possessing him. Where is the boy now?" Albus asked.

He saw Severus blush slightly. That was unexpected.

"I…I may have panicked when I thought the boy might be possessed." Severus said not meeting Albus eyes.

"What have you done Severus?" Albus asked standing as he spoke.

His anger was replaced with worry.

"I incapacitated him." Severus nearly whispered.

Albus anger returned. He had thought he would be able to trust Severus with the boy but perhaps he'd been wrong. If the boy asked to leave, he would not deny him. He'd work out the logistics and find somewhere else for the boy to be.

"Take me to him Severus." Albus seethed.

Severus nodded and headed back to the floo.