Authors note- Sorry about the wait. Life ya know. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 28
The Hospital Wing
Harry could hear the adults behind the curtain. He had removed his shirt and pulled on the flimsy gown. He could hear Pomfrey asking Snape for his help. Harry did not want Snape to see him.
Harry pulled the gown to the side and noticed that only the current wounds were showing. The scars from years at the Dursleys had 'vanished.' He knew it was the glamour that always showed up when he was in the magical world. He also didn't look as thin. Still slight but he didn't look skeletal.
Harry sighed.
He didn't know what to do now. Let them come in and fix him up, he guessed.
"I'm ready." Harry whispered.
He couldn't talk himself into sitting down. He just kept standing there next to the bed. When Pomfrey and Snape walked behind the curtain the bed created a barrier between them.
Harry kept his head down and looked up through his fringe.
"Come now Mr. Potter. Up on the Bed." Pomfrey ordered.
Harry gulped and looked at Snape. He still felt unsure about Snape. The lesson had gone okay he guessed but the man had been upset this morning. Not without reason he supposed. He just didn't know what to feel. Snape had always been harsh. Then last night he'd tried to take it back?…apologize?…He wasn't sure.
With a steadying breath he climbed on the bed and folded his hands in his lap.
Pomfrey and Snape both clustered around his left side. They could see his damaged arm sticking out of the sleeve of the oversized gown.
"Have you put anything on this?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
Harry shook his head.
"A little anti-biotic cream on my face." Harry whispered.
Pomfrey huffed.
"Muggle creams won't fix this." Pomfrey tutted.
She waved her wand over his arm in a complex motion he had seen in one of his healing books.
It was a low-level diagnostic. It would give her basic information about a current injury.
"When did you do this?" Pomfrey asked.
"Last Friday." Harry mumbled.
He kept his head down. He really didn't want to look at Snape. Snape had figured it out. He was almost sure of it.
"This should have been addressed right away. Why wasn't it?" Pomfrey turned to Snape.
Snape didn't say a word.
Harry chanced a look up and found the man was sporting a blank mask. Harry wasn't going to get to know how Snape was feeling about this situation. Which wasn't surprising. Snape wasn't big on showing how he felt. Unless it was anger and rage, especially at Harry. He guessed he should be thankful Snape wasn't yelling at him for his stupidity or for lying to the people in Cokeworth.
"I didn't think it was so bad. I figured it would heal on its own." Harry said shrugging his shoulders.
His cheeks blushed at what sounded like such a stupid answer. It was obvious that the wounds were infected and were not healing on their own. He looked back down to his hands to avoid making eye contact with Snape or Pomfrey.
"I'm going to pull the gown off your shoulder so we can get a look at your side." Pomfrey said.
Harry looked up and then flinched back from her hand as she raised it to his shoulder. He didn't want anyone to see him. He didn't want anyone to touch him.
"I…I…can do it myself. Can you just bring me the salve I need?" Harry stuttered out.
Harry saw Pomfrey look at Snape.
Harry looked back down. He couldn't do this right now.
"I need to see. So that I can determine which potions and salves you might need." Pomfrey said softer this time.
Harry sighed and then nodded.
He reached up and pulled the gown from his shoulder. Pulling his arm through, he balled the gown against his chest in a nearly painful grip and exposed his left side. He couldn't look at either of them directly but kept them both in his periphery. He didn't want them to touch him.
Harry heard a wince and a gasp from beside him.
He knew how bad it looked. He was just thankful his glamours had come up. He couldn't imagine the reaction he would get to all the scars.
"Where did all the bruises come from. You've got several that look like they wrap around you and a rather large one here on your upper arm." Pomfrey questioned, raising a hand but not touching him.
Harry's eyes darted to Snape for only a moment and then back to his lap.
"I'm not sure ma'am." Harry mumbled.
He knew better than to say were a wound had come from. He'd been forced to explain the road rash but that hadn't been anyone's fault but his own. Harry viewed that in a similar light to having fallen off his broom. However, the bruises had come from Snape. Weather he meant to or not. He had plenty of practice explaining away bruises from when he'd been in primary school. They had all thought him an idiot so saying he just didn't know always seemed to be enough.
Pomfrey huffed as she waved her wand.
"Can I see the damage to your leg?" Pomfrey asked.
"No." Harry said flatly.
He would not be taking off any more of his clothing, thank you very much.
Pomfrey whispered something to Snape and then turned back to Harry.
"I'll be back in a moment with what we need. Take this for now. It's a pain potion." Pomfrey said, handing over the potion and walking back past the curtain.
Harry could see the aura of magic around the screen. They held privacy charms. Harry dared to look up at Snape.
"How long were you in Cokeworth?" Snape asked neutrally.
Harry's cheeks flamed red.
"About two weeks, Sir." Harry said with a gulp.
Snape nodded and looked over Harry's head for a moment.
"You weren't in this form when you fell. It might be harder to heal." Snape said.
Harry felt like he had a bowling ball in his stomach. Everything was falling apart at the same time. If Snape knew then he wasn't going to be allowed to go back to town. He'd be stuck in Snapes house. He wouldn't be allowed to see Mary. What if Snape went back to all the yelling? Should he just run away again?
Harry felt like he wasn't getting enough air. His heart was racing. Maybe he was dying.
Harry was startled from his thoughts by a hand landing on him. Harry jerked his hand back and looked up.
Sirius was next to him. He was talking but nothing he said made any sense.
He was a freak. Sirius was seeing that now, Harry was sure. Why was he even here?
He wished everyone would just go away.
Severus followed Poppy around the curtain.
Potter was standing on the far side of the bed with his head down. He could see Potter's eyes flashing up to look at them through his fringe.
Severus did not like the way the boy had put the bed between them. He was clearly trying to use it as a barrier. It was a very defensive position to take. Surely even if Potter didn't feel safe at his house, the boy would feel safe at school. Then again Potter hadn't exactly always been safe at school.
Severus sighed.
He was looking at Potter with different eyes and couldn't understand how his anger had blinded him so much to what was happening.
He'd realized Potter was cowering away from him yesterday. That had pushed him to try and make peace with the boy. He hadn't thought it was a previously learnt behavior though. He had assumed it was just the child feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment, with an adult that wasn't allowing him to get comfortable. Now, he was really seeing Potter.
"Come now Mr. Potter. Up on the bed." Poppy ordered.
Severus caught the boy looking at him. He looked so small at that moment. His eyes full of fear and Severus was reminded of the look he'd seen the night before when the boy had come home late.
Potter climbed on the bed and folded his hands in his lap.
Severus could see how bad his arm looked. He and Poppy stepped closer to him. How on earth had Potter been walking around with his arm looking like ground meat? The boy had been working hard on the house and he hadn't said anything. Severus felt his stomach roll at the sight.
"Have you put anything on this?" Poppy asked.
Severus doubted it. He hadn't given the boy anything and he hadn't noticed anything missing.
Potter shook his head.
"A little anti-biotic cream on my face." Potter whispered.
Poppy huffed.
Severus agreed. The boy had practically skinned himself. A little cream wasn't going to do anything.
"Muggle creams won't fix this." Poppy tutted.
Poppy started a diagnostic charm over the boy's arm. It didn't look terribly infected as Lupin had said but it did look very inflamed.
"When did you do this?" Poppy asked.
Friday. Severus mind supplied. He remembered Mary telling him she had paid Max before he'd dove into the street.
"Last Friday." Potter mumbled.
That confirmed it for Severus. Potter was Max. The timeline worked.
"This should have been addressed right away. Why wasn't it?" Poppy asked, turning to Severus.
Severus couldn't come up with words. Had he known he would have done something. He should have done something for the boy's face. Potter hadn't complained and every time he thought about giving him something for it, he'd gotten distracted. He knew he was in the wrong here. Weather he liked it or not, right now he was Potters guardian, and he should have done better.
Potters' eyes darted to him and then away. The same unsure look he had given him at breakfast like he wasn't sure what to do. Or in this case what to say. He was looking to Severus to gauge what to do. But not out of understanding. This behavior was done out of fear. Severus hated himself. He had truly fucked up this time. This child was afraid. Severus had aligned himself unknowingly with other adults Potter couldn't trust.
"I didn't think it was so bad. I figured it would heal on its own." Potter lied with a shrug of his shoulders.
Potter hadn't felt safe enough to ask for help. He was in pain and had just toughed it out.
Potters' cheeks blushed and he looked back down at his hands.
Severus looked at his hands and noticed they too were all cut up. It looked like it had happened more recently. Severus tried to think how he could have managed to do this to himself. He'd done yard work but surely, he'd found the work gloves. He couldn't think of anything else. Maybe he'd done something while he was out.
"I'm going to pull the gown off your shoulder so we can get a look at your side." Poppy said.
Potter flinched back from her hand as she raised it to his shoulder. Severus felt his heart clinch.
"I…I…can do it myself. Can you just bring me the salve I need?" Potter stuttered out.
Poppy looked at him with a sad look and he couldn't help but agree. They had done this dance before with students from his house. Ones who would come back from the holiday's bruised and battered. They would do their best to keep them comfortable and manage their pain.
They could probably allow Potter to apply his own salve if that made him more comfortable, but they needed to know what might be necessary.
"I need to see. So that I can determine which potions and salves you might need." Poppy said softer this time.
Potter sighed resignedly and then nodded.
He reached up and pulled the gown from his shoulder. Pulling his arm through, he balled the gown against his chest and exposed his left side. Potter looked away from them.
Poppy gasped at the sight.
Severus winced. Not only was the boy's whole side covered in a very infected road rash, but he was lined with strange bruises. Severus realized they were from his attack on Potter on Wednesday. He felt sick. How had the bindings managed to bruise so badly? Then he saw the one on his arm and had to swallow bile down. He'd grabbed the boy hard enough to bruise. He hadn't meant to hurt him.
Potter didn't seem to be as thin as Maggie had said and he didn't notice any scars. Maybe he was just jumping to conclusions. Perhaps Max and Potter weren't the same kid. He'd have to ask more questions. If they were the same then Potter was hiding a lot under what he could only assume was a glamour.
"Where did all the bruises come from. You've got several that look like they wrap around you and a rather large one here on your upper arm." Poppy questioned, raising a hand but not touching him.
Potter's eyes darted to Severus for only a moment and then back to his lap.
"I'm not sure ma'am." Potter mumbled.
Severus felt his heart sink. The boy was lying. Was he afraid he wouldn't be believed? Or was he worried what would happen once they went back to spinners end if he told the truth? Severus hated both of those options.
Poppy huffed as she waved her wand.
"Can I see the damage to your leg?" Poppy asked.
"No." Potter said flatly.
Potter got that slightly green look again and Severus did not like what he was seeing.
"This isn't good, Severus. I'm going to go speak to Sirius and Remus." Poppy whispered to him.
Severus nodded.
"I'll be back in a moment with what we need. Take this for now. It's a pain potion." Poppy said, handing over the potion and walking back past the curtain.
Potter stared at the curtain for a moment and then met Severus' eyes. Time to confirm his suspicions.
"How long were you in Cokeworth?" Severus asked neutrally.
Potter blushed heavily.
"About two weeks, Sir." The boy answered with a gulp.
Severus nodded and looked over Potter's head for a moment. His mind was going a million miles a minute. Potter was Max. How was that possible? How had he gotten there? Did he know that his mother was from there? Surely, he must have known. Did he think no one would look for him there? He'd been right. It hadn't occurred to any of them to look there. It would have made more sense to look in Godric's Hollow. A proposal Black had brought up in there meeting.
"You weren't in this form when you fell. It might be harder to heal." Severus said softly.
Potter had been in a different form when he'd been Max. Severus wondered what Max actually looked like. Clearly different then Potter. He wondered if Potter had told Black and Lupin about where he'd been and what he'd been up too. He also wondered how much they knew. Severus had gotten a bit of insight from what Maggie and Mary had seen and he'd also been living with Potter for the last week.
He wondered if they knew about the abuse. If they did, why had they not done anything? Did Albus know? Was he just ignoring the problem like he always did?
Severus looked back down to Potter. His eyes had gone glassy, and he was hyperventilating.
Christ, the kid was having a panic attack.
"Potter." Severus called to him.
Nothing. He didn't even blink.
"Potter." Severus said a little louder, moving into his line of sight. He didn't dare reach out to him. Potter clearly didn't want to be touched. He would likely only make it worse. He patted his robes. He didn't have a calming draught.
"Hold on Potter." Severus said, stepping around the curtain.
He came face to face with Black and Lupin.
"Black, go in there and calm him down. I'm going to go grab a calming draught." Severus barked.
He made his way quickly to the potions store and nearly ran into Poppy.
"What are you doing Severus?" Poppy gasped.
"Potter's having a panic attack. Do you have a calming draught in there?" Severus said waving his hand at the potions in her arms.
"Of course." Poppy said walking around Severus and heading back to Potter.
Severus ran his hand over his face. This was a mess. What on earth had triggered the boy?
Severus turned back to find Lupin with a look that could kill on his face.
Severus groaned.
Lupin nodded towards the far end of the wing and Severus followed. When they reached an area near the doors Lupin waved his wand and cast strong privacy wards.
"What the hell did you do?!" Lupin yelled.
Severus pulled up his occlumency shield. He wouldn't get into a screaming match with Lupin.
"I didn't do anything. We were waiting for Poppy to return with Potters potions. He started hyperventilating and I got Black." Severus said as calmly as he could.
Lupin just glared.
"Why is he all bruised up?" Lupin spat.
"Is that from your dueling lessons today? How long did you leave him tied up?" Lupin continued without giving Severus a chance to answer.
Severus raised his hand in a placating gesture. He didn't want to fight.
"I didn't cast anything at Potter today other than stinging hexes. The binding marks are from Wednesday. I…I overreacted to a situation. Potter and I have already discussed it. I apologized. I was in the wrong. He wasn't bound for long. I suspect something else might be at play health wise for Potter to have bruised so easily. I wasn't even aware he was bruised until he pulled the gown off his shoulder." Severus explained.
Potter had forgiven him. He'd understood. However, Severus wasn't aware he had covered the kid in bruises.
Severus grimaced. He'd left Potter laying on his left side. He wondered how Potter hadn't been a screaming, crying mess when he and Albus had arrived.
"And the one's on his arms?" Lupin growled.
Severus closed his eyes. He had only seen the one, but he wasn't surprised he had them on both arms. He'd grabbed the boy a few times. He didn't think he'd grabbed hard enough to bruise him though.
"I did grab Potter. You saw me lead him out of Albus office. I didn't grab him harder than I would have any other student on their way to a detention. I didn't mean to hurt him, and I didn't know that I had." Severus said honestly.
He knew that he was in the wrong, but he truly had not meant to hurt a child.
"I swear to god Severus, if Harry says anything different, I will tear you apart." Lupin threatened.
Severus swallowed hard and nodded.
He had seen a much more passionate side of Lupin since Blacks 'Death' and Potters disappearance. He believed that Lupin would do anything to keep what he saw as family safe.
Lupin paced back and forth and seemed to be calming himself down.
Severus just watched and tried to think of any way he or they could fix this situation.
"Harry is severely malnourished. He's going to need potions for a while. I'm not sure what else he might need. He's got a lot of issues. I have no choice but to trust you with him until we can take him. I don't like it. Sirius Hates it. However, until Sirius' name is cleared, and the wards are in place we have to play by Albus's rules. I don't want to think I can't trust you. Not with something that means so much to me. I'm not sure what to even think right now." Lupin rambled, running his hand through his honey blonde hair.
Severus felt like he was having a ton of bricks laid on his shoulders. But also, being handed something extremely fragile. Lupin was putting tentative trust in him. Perhaps by necessity but it was trust all the same. He would do his best to not break the trust he was being given.
After he'd lost his place as a spy, he thought he had lost his opportunity to make up for his sins. To make up for his mistakes. Perhaps this was the way he could redeem himself.
Severus nodded.
"I understand. I will do the best I can. Do you know what is wrong with Potter?" Severus asked.
He hoped he could gauge how much Lupin knew about the situation.
Lupin stopped and stared at him. Then he began to rub at his temple, like he was trying to rid himself of a headache. Severus understood. He was getting one too. This situation was heavy and unexpected.
"I'm not sure it's my place to say." Lupin muttered and looked back towards the curtain Potter was behind.
Severus nodded.
He would speak with Potter about what he was already aware of. Then see if he could get Black and Lupin on the same page. It would be best to do a full diagnostic on him. See if they could establish what he had been through. As well as what long-term problems would need to be addressed. He doubted Poppy had ever done a full diagnostic on the boy. They no doubt wouldn't be in this situation if she had.
Severus sighed.
"Harry." Sirius called.
He was really starting to worry. Severus had sent him in here a few minutes ago and Harry seemed to just keep panicking.
"I can spell the potion into his stomach." Poppy offered.
She had bustled in a moment after he had and had also been softly calling to Harry. Harry had responded a little when he'd taken his hand, but it had only seemed to increase his panic a moment later.
"Give him another moment. His breathing has started to even out." Sirius replied.
"Pup, can you hear me?" Sirius murmured to Harry.
Sirius watched as tears began to fall down Harry's face and he nodded before he buried his face in his hands.
Sirius sighed. This was going to be a long road.
"It's okay. You're ok. Poppy has a calming draught. Would you like that?" Sirius asked softly.
Sirius watched Harry shake his head, then nod, then shrug his shoulders. His head was still firmly buried in his hands. He felt so helpless in this situation. He wanted to be there for Harry, but he also wasn't sure what would be helpful. He'd been in situations like this before but never with Harry.
Sirius took a deep breath and tried to think of simple things he could do to help.
"Okay. I think it might help. Have you had a calming draught before?" Sirius asked.
Sirius saw Harry nod. Well, that was good. At least Harry knew what he was accepting or rejecting.
"Would you like us to give you a few minutes? We can leave the calming draught here and you can decide." Sirius offered.
Sirius wanted to check in on Remus.
Remus had followed him in here. When he had seen the bruises on Harry's arms, he'd turned right around to talk to Snape.
Harry nodded.
Sirius looked up to Poppy who looked heartbroken and a little sick. He knew that Poppy and Severus were both probably putting the pieces together. They had missed this, and Sirius hoped they both felt a little guilty. Sirius had known something was off after his first conversation with Harry. He didn't know how everyone else had just looked past it.
Poppy nodded and set the potion vial on the small side table. She had placed the rest of her supplies at the end of Harry's bed.
Sirius stood from his crouched position.
"Harry I'll be just on the other side of the curtain if you need me." Sirius whispered as he stepped out.
Sirius took a deep breath and scrubbed his hands over his face.
Looking around he saw Remus and Snape at the far end of the ward.
Poppy had disappeared into her office.
He walked towards Remus and Snape. He needed Remus. He was doing what he could to be strong for Harry but this whole situation was overwhelming. He had noticed that some of the scars they had been able to see earlier had disappeared. Harry also didn't look as thin. He must have pulled up his glamour. He didn't want to push Harry to take them down. However, he wanted to make sure he didn't have anything else that needed to be addressed.
"How's Harry?" Remus asked worriedly.
Sirius shrugged.
"He was basically non-responsive through his panic attack. I couldn't talk him into the calming draught, but I left it for him to take. We're giving him a few minutes to collect himself." Sirius answered.
Remus nodded and reached out for Sirius hand.
"Are you okay?" Remus whispered.
Sirius looked up and then over Remus shoulder where Snape was standing. He wasn't watching them. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
"No. This is…I don't know Moony. I don't know what to do." Sirius answered brokenly.
He felt so lost and unsure.
"I know. It's going to take time. For Harry and for us. We can talk about it tonight, ok? Make sure we're taking care of ourselves too. Yeah?" Remus said comfortingly.
Sirius nodded.
"How about we sit down for a few minutes. Give Harry a little time. We still have time before the Order meeting.
Sirius glanced back at the curtain and then nodded.
He didn't want to be too far from Harry, but he felt he and Remus could sit in the chairs for a few minutes.
Snape came and sat in one of the seats as well. He looked exhausted. Sirius wondered what Remus had said to him. Perhaps the three of them could speak after the order meeting.
Harry released a breath as Sirius left. He had so many thoughts swirling in his head. He wasn't panicking anymore but he still didn't feel like he could take a deep breath.
Too much of him was being exposed all at once. He had worried when Maggie had seen him without his shirt. He had been shocked when Mary had put together who he was. He had been suspicious when Snape had been polite and apologized. Today had been all of those thing's times a hundred. He'd felt defensive with Sirius and Remus. He didn't want to let them in. Let them see what a freak he was. He didn't want to be forced to the hospital wing and exposed to Snape and Pomfrey.
Harry sighed. His thoughts were spinning again.
Harry reached for the calming draught and downed it quickly.
He needed to get himself patched up and out of here.
He felt the calm wrap around him like a blanket. It was soothing and he felt like he could focus again. He was sure any combination of the adults on the other side of the curtain would be back in a moment and he didn't want to deal with any of them.
Harry looked at the supplies Madam Pomfrey had brought. He pulled the cork out of the vial of Anti-biotic potion and downed it. Then repeated the action with a fever reducer.
The pain potion was working well, and he noticed there was another. He would pocket it for later. He could manage the pain he was in now. There was also a blood replenisher. He hadn't bled much recently and thought he could probably pocket that one too.
He pulled the gown off and slathered his side in the healing salve. It burned but quickly the pain was replaced with a cool numbing sensation. He grabbed the bruise balm and attacked the bruises he could reach. The ones on his back from the bindings would just have to heal on their own.
Harry quickly applied the healing salve to his arm and face. Then after checking twice that no one was trying to come behind the curtain he dropped his jeans and pants and rubbed some of the salve into his leg. He grabbed the bandages and charmed them to wrap his leg and then his chest and lastly his arm.
When the bandages were secure, he hastily pulled all his clothing back on.
Harry looked over the mess he'd made. He cast a scourgify at the bedding and cleared off the bits of salve and balm. He pocketed the leftover potions and folded the gown setting it at the end of the bed.
Once he was sure he was good, he pulled up his occlumency wall and walked out.
Severus sat quietly. He felt foolish for not having seen the signs of Potters obvious abuse sooner. He also felt like an idiot for not putting together that Max and Potter were the same person. He remembered finding the jar of bruise balm. He had thought he might be looking for an abused wizarding child. He just hadn't realized it was the one he'd found the day before.
Severus looked up to see Potter step out from behind the curtain. His eyes looked blank again. Severus now also understood the heavy levels of occlumency shields the boy was using. It still confused him how the boy had managed such a strong shield in such a short amount of time. He was also puzzled as to why he hadn't seen anything to suggest abuse during their lessons. Those were questions he wouldn't be getting the answers to right now. Perhaps with time he would know.
"Lupin." Severus said and nodded towards Potter.
Lupin and Black both jumped out of their seats and rushed the boy. Severus also saw Poppy come bustling out of her office.
Severus stood and walked slowly towards the group.
"Harry, are you alright?" Black asked.
Severus wanted to roll his eyes. Clearly the boy was far from all right.
"I'm fine, Siri." Potter said flatly.
Severus could see the resignation on the boy's face. Even with the shields it was there. He was preparing himself for whatever would happen next.
"He should stay here." Poppy huffed.
"Albus won't let him. The students aren't allowed to stay at the school." Lupin growled.
Poppy shook her head.
"He needs those wounds addressed." Poppy stated firmly.
"I took care of it ma'am." Potter mumbled.
Poppy looked skeptical but nodded.
"You guys have a meeting to get too. I'll just head back to our practice room." Potter muttered.
"Is that alright, Professor?" Potter said looking Severus in the eye.
Severus swallowed hard. He felt terribly unsure of what to do. They did need to get to the meeting, but should they just leave Potter alone? Should they say something to him? Severus didn't think the child would be up for a conversation.
He remembered the smile he'd seen on Potters face when they had entered the training room. Maybe it was a place where he felt comfortable. Perhaps that was the best place for him right now.
Severus nodded.
"That will be acceptable. Do try not to further injure yourself." Severus said blandly.
His words did not align with his raging emotions on the inside. He wanted to hand the boy over to Lupin and Black. Let them handle the boy and all of his issues. He would as soon as he could. The boy would only be his responsibility a little longer, he reassured himself.
He and Potter had already cleared the air. Potter knew Cokeworth. They could get through the next couple of weeks, surely.
Potter nodded.
"I'll see you guys later." Potter said quietly to Black and Lupin who both looked shocked at the vacant tone.
Potter walked to the end of the wing and pushed the doors open.
The hospital wing had an eerie silence to it as the door's closed.
Poppy cleared her throat.
"How long has Potter been abused?" Poppy whispered.
Lupin and Black both looked grave.
"His whole life." Lupin replied sadly, looking at the floor.
"Why didn't you two do anything?" Severus growled.
Black looked murderous when he met Severus' eyes.
"We didn't know the whole situation until earlier this week. And what would you have us do Snape? I'm an escaped criminal as far as the rest of the world is concerned. Kidnapping Harry Potter wouldn't exactly help me. The Laws prevent Remus from doing fucking anything. You two have been around him nearly every day for five years. How could you not know? How could you not do anything?!" Black screamed.
Poppy looked near tears and Severus was about to yell back at Black when Lupin stepped in.
"Enough." Lupin growled.
"Harry has hidden his issues away for a long time. It's not our fault that this has not been addressed before now. He's going to need all the support we can give him." Lupin said calmly.
"It's hardly the boys fault." Poppy replied.
Lupin shook his head.
"No, I'm not saying that it is. It's his relative's fault. Also, maybe a little Albus for putting him there in the first place and insisting he stay there." Lupin explained.
That twisted something in Severus. Had Albus known and just ignored it?
"Surely Albus wasn't aware?" Poppy asked, looking between Lupin and Black.
"We're unaware at the moment of Albus involvement. As Harry's Magical guardian he should have been more aware of what was going on. Best case Albus has been neglectful. At worst…" Lupin said wearily with a shrug.
Severus groaned.
This was only getting more complicated.
"Do you know the extent of the abuse?" Poppy asked softly.
"No." Black said sadly shaking his head.
"The boy should have a full diagnostic run. We can't begin to treat issues when we aren't fully aware of what's going on." Severus said neutrally.
The others all nodded.
"I don't think Harry will allow that. Remus and I had been giving him space and trying to build a relationship with him. We had hoped that he would eventually come to us, but he never did. When Bill confirmed our suspicions, we…We confronted Harry. Today. He kind of…Blew up on us. I don't think he's ready for more right now." Black said, running his hand through his hair.
"Bill Weasley? How did he know?" Severus asked.
Severus wouldn't have been surprised if the other two thirds of the golden trio had known and finally gotten some sense. But how had the oldest Weasley child known?
"Fred and George have been helping Harry, for years apparently. After Harry was found they confronted Bill. They wanted to make sure Albus wasn't sending him back." Lupin explained.
Severus groaned again. He had spent the night before trying to help Albus do exactly that.
"I don't believe Albus has fully given up on that option." Severus grumbled.
"What?!" Poppy and Black said at nearly the same time.
Severus held up his hand.
"We are due at the meeting now. I'm sure it will be addressed. If it is not, we can continue this conversation after. As well as deciding what to do with the boy." Severus answered.
They all nodded.
Severus walked next to Poppy, as they headed out of the hospital wing. Lupin and Black followed close behind. They all made their way quietly to the headmaster's office lost in thought.