Mo Chridhe

Chapter 7

Harry's return to consciousness was swift as it was sudden, a conditioned response to being constantly surrounded by threats. Which is exactly what the Dursley's were, threats. The only upside about his cupboard was that he had warning and that Vernon was too big to get inside. Not that any of them ever got to surprise him in his cupboard anymore. He could feel them coming in more ways than one.

Unclenching his fist, the material of Marcus' cloak flittering out of his grasp. He stretched out wiping his mouth, blinking sleepily. He flushed red a little realizing he'd curled himself almost entirely on top of the other wizard. It had been the best night sleep he'd ever had though. Everything was muted here, quiet, and it's something he needed. Quiet but with company, he'd spent so much time on his own that socialising was so, so exhausting and daunting.

He'd gone from being invisible and ignored to being gawked at and revered.

It was terrifying.

"Good morning, Mr. Potter," Severus said, from where he stood already dressed in his usual get up for teaching students. There were layers upon layers protective spells, runes woven into the fabric. It stuck better to black, hence why all his clothes were black. If you looked hard enough, you'd find the silver glimmer that showed they were in effect. "How are you feeling?"

"Professor," Harry said, anxiety bleeding into his voice, as he glanced up peering at the wizard through his long messy fringe. "Good morning." He added, purely as a self defence mechanism. To placate and please, anything to stop the pain he knew often followed. He didn't know the rules here, not that rules meant much Vernon constantly changed them, so he had to be careful.

Harry belated realized that the old aches and pains (read blazing agony) were gone. He felt…odd, was this what normal felt like? Maybe, just maybe this was where he'd fit in…and maybe those old prayers he'd pleaded would come true. Perhaps he was saved after all. Harry didn't feel hopeful though, he'd been let down too much for that. Okay, maybe that wasn't entirely true, he was hopeful but he didn't like to be. It hurt when he was proven right. It wasn't worth truly trusting someone.

Severus watched him, noticing that alone he was very different, than when he was, say, in public. Of course, the confidence of the students would help cover his own feelings. Perhaps it was his inability to feel him that made Harry worried and anxious. "Are you able to feel other people's emotions?" he asked the youth.

"Can't everyone?" Harry asked, his entire face shuttering.

Severus' lips twitched, "You know good and well they can't." observing the youth, hmm was he being deliberately obtuse? Protective of his ability or did he try and not think about it often? Or was he so practiced at not revealing anything remotely 'abnormal' about himself due to his living situation that he closed down and said whatever he thought someone else wanted him to. Or it could be simply the matter that he might believe all wizards were capable and he had lived his entire life with muggles.

A small groan followed Marcus Flint stretching out, his massive body dwarfing Harry's entirely. He was careful to ensure he didn't jolt Harry too much. Intelligible grumbling groans left Marcus as he sat up, looking around, "Can't believe I fell asleep." Which he couldn't, he'd meant to be looking after Harry.

"Breakfast will be here soon, then we will need to have a talk," Severus explained, mostly for Harry but Marcus too since he'd be there. "You'll be leaving here with enough time to get to breakfast in the Great Hall and your timetable before going to class."

"Talk?" Harry repeated the words.

"There are a few things you need to know," Severus' voice was soothing, accompanied by Severus lowering his barriers just for a second avidly watching Harry.

Harry blinked, relaxing and he gave a nod, fingers stretching out for Marcus' robe and gripping it tightly, relishing in the ability to do so without pain. It must have been potions similar to what Marcus put on his back, he needed to find out how to make them, and stockpile them.

Severus' dark eyes glittered as he watched, definitely an empath. He would need help, unless he was already able to detach from other people's emotions. Given what the Dursley's it was likely he'd learned very quickly. He unconsciously touched at his chest; the echo of the horror Harry had endured causing guilt to almost get the better of him. almost, because there wasn't a day that went by where Severus did not feel guilty. He was grateful that his barriers seem to dull any emphatic abilities.

A pop signalled the arrival of a Hogwarts House-elf.

Harry tried to leap to his feet, and crawl away from the creature, but Marcus had his arm around Harry's shoulder. "Calm down, Chridhe, this is a House-elf, they care for everyone at Hogwarts."

Harry blinked, calming down encompassed by Marcus' own calm and the care he so clearly provided for him. Care that he provided for any snake under his care that required it, he hadn't noticed any this year, except Harry (who wasn't a snake) but he'd keep his eye out.

He would need to alert Percy though, since he was the only one with authority of any kind in Gryffindor. Appearances between them was deceptive, not too deceptive. They didn't play each other's antagonists but certainly looked as if they wouldn't cast agumenti if the other was on fire.

"Here, eat." Marcus said, handing over Harry's food with a grunt, and it was obvious which one was Harry's the House-elves didn't half anticipate their Masters needs. Just one change, and they anticipated it. "They're happy to serve, they gain more magic bonding with a family."

"If you are that way inclined. It's seen as a great honour to have House-Elves, it's a very old and noble tradition. Old and ancient lines believe the more you have, the greater the family." Severus educated Harry, who seemed very interested. Either that or given his childhood…he may well just feel sympathy for it.

"I do wonder what happened to the Potter House-elves." Marcus said thoughtfully, no good pureblood family just let their House-elves die out. They usually let them breed to create more, kept them in the family. It was one of the biggest status symbols. The Malfoy's have a few, in fact they had personal servants as well as ones who cooked and cleaned in the manor.

"Don't look at me," Severus replied. He wasn't in good standing with any Potters' not even Lily. "I cannot give you answers only a Potter can." Which was true enough, Harry would need to gain access to his estate to know for sure. There he would gain knowledge of all workings of his estate. Including properties, creatures, interests, investments, shops, basically the input and output of the estate.

"I'm a Potter," Harry pointed out. And he certainly couldn't give an answer.

"You are," Severus agreed, reminding himself that the child was only eleven, and had a diabolical upbringing. "You are the last of the Potter family. You are the last of the ancient and most noble house of Potter."

Harry remained silent; his brow furrowed as he struggled to understand what they were throwing at him. His gave flickered from Marcus to Severus, as he ate the food from the bowl in front of him. His fingers tightly clenched around the bowl, and held protectively at his side. To stop it from people being able to just take it from him. No, they'd need to pry it from his dead cold hands.

The three wizards ate in silence, if one looked, you'd think they were all in bad moods. Dour moods. However, Harry could sense emotions, he was an Empath. He could tell they were quite content, peaceful even, and that was amazing to feel. Especially in a world so full of emotions, it took it's toll on Harry.

He would come to the realisation though, that those that were 'peaceful' were those who practiced Occlumency. Although, that's not to say they weren't peaceful, they were indeed content for the moment.

"Drink these potions," Severus told Harry after he finished his breakfast. They had to be taken directly after eating for best effect. "This one is a stomach soother, no doubt you feel a little uncomfortable? This one is a pain relief draught and the last one will ensure you get much needed nutrition. When was the last time you visited an optician?" explaining what they were as Harry reluctantly swallowed them, the last one did surprise him and taste better than the other two.

"A what?" Harry asked, giving Severus an odd look, wary, wondering if this would be the thing that caused anger. He was used to it being directed at him in a drop of a hat, and didn't know them well enough to even begin to trust really.

"When did you last get an eye exam?" Severus asked, getting a bad feeling about this, the glasses weren't the right prescription for Harry's eyes. It was not difficult to draw horrifying conclusions based on that information.

Harry remained silent, but the soft soothing touches of Marcus rubbing his back made him feel obligated to answer. He didn't want it to stop, this little bubble he felt like he'd been encased in. Feelings of safety and other emotions he hadn't ever seen (or felt more accurately) directed at him. "I haven't had one." Shrugging his shoulders indifferently, uncaringly.

Severus nodded slowly, "Normally any medical procedures require your magical or muggle guardian's consent. However, I've already broken that by tending to you without alerting either." He gave Harry a look, "We do have a potion that will correct your eye sight, it's blood red, and I'll leave it on the table, what you choose to do with it is up to you." There was a difference between a few potions to heal him and an actual magical medical procedure. He could actually get arrested for one, not that he reckoned Dumbledore would go that far, but he sincerely didn't want to push it.

Harry's green eyes practically lit up, nodding eagerly, so happy with the thought of being able to go without glasses.

Severus summoned it and left it on the table, refraining from shaking his head lest the child get the wrong idea. Honestly, he didn't know what he was going to do, an eye exam was free, a pair of glasses were cheap enough, in fact, if her recalled correctly from all signage on the storefront, it was free for a really cheap pair. They didn't have exactly a wonderful selection, it was small, and the glasses were generic, but the point was they were actually free.

They couldn't even be bothered to get his eyes tested. Severus didn't even think to ask how he'd gotten the glasses, it was likely not good regardless. Although, they could have been a whole lot worse prescription wise. Finishing his coffee, he sighed, no more putting it off, sitting forward he pressed his fingers together, pursing his lips on how best to help the boy deal with this.

"I have a gift for you," Marcus begun before Severus could, "It used to be mine, now it's yours. It will protect you from anyone trying to read your mind."

Harry flinched at that, leery, "Mind reading?" mind reading was a thing?

"In a basic sense yes, but those who can perform the mind arts could see your memories." Severus revealed, wondering what the youngster was thinking. It was a hell of a thing, to learn someone could read your mind without your consent. He'd been lucky, born a Prince, he was a natural at closing his mind and the rest of the mind arts. Luckily, he wasn't a natural Legilmens, now that wasn't something anyone wanted to be.

He wasn't sure how lucky the child should feel, since he was an Empath.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, staring at Marcus through his fringe. He could feel the magic imbued within the pendant.

Marcus nodded, "Turn around," he grunted, shifting, taking the pendant before tying it around Harry's neck. "There." That would ensure Harry was protected until he went to the bank and gained his heirship ring.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked, as the breakfast dishes and trays disappeared. He didn't have a lot of time, so he had to get this done quickly.

Harry blinked, "I'm fine," came the automatic response.

Severus gave Harry an inscrutable look.

"I am, honest," Harry said honestly, he felt better than he could ever remember.

"There is a lot of information you need to know, but there isn't much time to give it. Instead, if you do desire answers, I'll answer them during detentions." Severus explained.

"Detention?" Harry said, looking a little paler, "I…I'm not a troublemaker," he thought maybe he could get away from all that. The Dursley's had made everyone in Privet Drive absolutely loathe him. He wasn't deaf he heard everything they said about him, and it hurt. They knew what Dudley was like, he'd never done anything bad to anyone in his life but they still believed everything they were told.

Severus was quick to realize that Harry had taken it entirely the wrong way. Although, he would never admit he had presumed the boy would be a troublemaker just like his father. Kneeling slowly in front of the boy, who was clutching the pendant Marcus had gifted him as if his life depended on it.

"I never meant to imply you were a troublemaker," Severus murmured, slowly extending his hand and curling the small hand in his. "I am not a nice man, Harry, and I cannot be seen being nice to you or anyone else except my Slytherins'."

"The hat wanted to put me in Slytherin," Harry confessed, "Does that make any difference?"

Severus' lips twitched, "It makes all the difference, but I still won't be nice."

Harry was just completely confused, "Why?" he was a teacher, weren't they meant to be nice? He'd had a few, and yes, they were the ones that attempted to make things better for him and ultimately just made everything worse. Was this going to happen here?

"There are forces at work that are too complicated to explain right now, not without giving you a backstory." Severus said honestly, "Just know anything said or done while you're in my classroom it's not meant. I have a part to play, and play it I will." Determined to remain neutral regardless of what Dumbledore ultimately would say.

"I don't understand," Harry said, gaining the courage to speak, he should probably just agree and leave. Even if nothing is done, he had a whole year at Hogwarts without pain. It was more than he'd ever imagined until he turned sixteen.

"I know, and I apologise for that," Severus was sincere in his apology, "Unfortunately, you have to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. You must not reveal you came down here, you would be putting many lives at risk, including your own if you tell anyone, even Dumbledore. Do you understand?"

"I won't." Harry said, why would anyone care? Would anyone notice he wasn't there?

"Good, keep that promise and I will make one of my own," Severus stated, still kneeling before the child, trying to put them on more equal footing. "I swear that you will not return to the Dursley's, even if it means that you come to my home for the summer."

Harry's breathing hitched, staring owlishly at professor Snape, wondering if it was possible. Could he trust them? Pressing back against Marcus' hand, biting his lip.

"You have my solemn oath on my magic that I will not let you return to the Dursley's, if for any reason you end up there, I will collect you myself." Severus swore, and magic flared between them, not as strong as an Unbreakable oath that he'd sworn, but still strong.

"That flare? It means magic has listened and will hold Professor Snape to his word." Marcus told Harry, "He would lose his magic if he doesn't do as he promised."

Severus didn't bother correcting him that it would be his life, the Vow he had made, was strong now due to the oath. He felt a bitter smugness envelope him, if Dumbledore forced his hand, then he had the perfect response. If he wanted his spy to return to his duties when the time came, well, he had to let him take care of Harry otherwise he would die.

Harry's hope was broadcast for the two Slytherins, as he realized for the first time…that he might actually live to see his sixteenth birthday.

"Marcus will take you to the Great Hall," Severus said, standing up, wincing at the ache in his bones. There was a downside to suffering so many Cruciatus Curses in his youth, he felt like an old man sometimes, when he ached like blazes. Usually his knees, which took a significant amount of damage with falling to his knees before the Dark Lord.

Harry tightened his hold on the lax hand in his, "Thank you,"

Severus stared down at the boy, and gave a curt nod, "Anytime." With that he stood up, you could see his persona changing entirely. It took a few minutes to get into the right mindset. Especially with more guilt than usual circling him like a vulture just waiting for weakness. With that he walked out of his own quarters, leaving Marcus alone to tend to Harry.

"Remember and drink the potion," Marcus nudged Harry, who immediately complied with Marcus' suggestion. Marcus chuffed and shook his head; the kid was so eager to see properly he didn't think to take off his glasses first. Marcus plucked them off the kids face, he laughed when he saw the kid squinting comically.

The potion that Harry was taking to correct his eyesight, had an ingredient something James Potter was very allergic to. Harry had been tested the moment he was born, for that particular allergy, but luckily it was not the case for Harry. It was for that reason, James wore glasses, taking out that vital ingredient would alter it completely.

The wince was the indicator Marcus had waited for, he wrapped Harry's hands in his own larger ones. Preventing him from rubbing at his eyes, and causing undue irritation. Not that Harry tried very hard to get his hands out of Marcus' grip.

Harry stared up at Marcus eyes widening even more, he could see properly, he could actually make out every contour of Marcus' face. A bright, beaming smile overtook Harry's face, delighted by the ability to see. "Everything is so…crystal clear!" almost breathlessly stating that fact.

"Master Harry Potter's clothes and bag," the House-elf popped in, likely sent by Severus when he realized Harry was still in his pyjamas.

Marcus took the items, let the bag fall at the side of the couch and put the clothes in Harry's arms. "Bathroom is through there, best hurry." He could have used a few spells, but Harry was still so new to magic, he'd rather not frighten him.

Having a wand pointed at you could be terrifying, especially if you didn't trust that person to have your best interests.

Harry shuffled through the bedroom, and Marcus picked up his cup, warmed his coffee once more. Rubbing his face, tiredness seeping into his bones despite the fact he'd had a really good nights sleep. The stress of this was unbelievable. Worst of it was the kid was totally unaware of what was going on and the political currents they needed to navigate.

How he loathed Dumbledore and the control he had.

He finished off the coffee and set it in the sink, the house-elves would take care of it, he was sure. He had a lot of work to do, including warning the Slytherin's that Harry Potter was off limits. They should know better than to disobey him. He wasn't under any circumstances going to allow Harry to experience more abuse, even if it was just peer abuse at Hogwarts.

"How did it know what books to take?" Harry asked, emerging in his uniform tie still undone, cheeks flushing a little in embarrassment, "I um…I don't know how to do it," he'd never had anyone to show him.

Marcus approached the boy, lifting his chin, "Don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed for something beyond your control." He informed the little Gryffindor, before putting the tie around his neck, and slowly showed the boy how to tie his tie. "Who has been doing it for you?"

"Percy, he helps me," Harry confessed quietly, but he only quickly puts it on, he didn't do what Marcus was.

They repeated it five times before Harry had it down solid with a strong firm presence helping him for the first time in his life. "There we go, perfect, do you think you have it now?" adjusting it a tiny bit, proud of him, it had taken him a little bit longer, and he'd been doing it in front of a mirror.

Harry beamed, nodding enthusiastically, he could feel Marcus' pride, and it made Harry's day.

"Good, grab your bag and let's go," Marcus nudged Harry, he grabbed the vial and put it in the sink while Harry grabbed his bag.

"Remember and not eat too much, something simple, a piece of fruit." Marcus told him, as they walked through the dungeons. "You been doing alright to avoid the trick steps and false doors."

"Trick steps?" Harry asked, wide eyed, a little more attentive to where he was putting his feet, he hadn't heard anything about trick steps.

Marcus laughed, "Not here, they're on the steps higher levels," the second he heard someone his face shut down fast. Harry could tell he was still amused, and he glanced at Marcus confused but he didn't say anything.

"When will…when will I be able to talk to you again?" Harry peered up at Marcus as they approached the Great Hall doors – familiarity at least – remembering them from before, standing waiting on McGonagall for their sorting.

Marcus smirked, "I'll be in the library until curfew. Remember the map." it would help Harry navigate the castle until he was more confident.

Harry nodded, "I will," with that he turned to the Great Hall, and Harry's entire demeanour changed. Excited and happy, his face open and trusting, it was awe-inspiring. Truly, he made the Slytherin's masks look like child play.

And off he went for his first day at Hogwarts playing the part of The-Boy-Who-Lived.

All eyes were on Harry, including one Albus Dumbledore, blue eyes twinkling in pride believing everything was going as he predicted, although he did wonder where the boys glasses were.

A/N – omg this story is so slow it's annoying the hell out of me. Not like The Contract slow, glacially, (I could do with a glacier right now) I'm starting get why there are so few stories starting with first year and actually going at a good pace. Maybe once I'm over the whole revelation (which will be the next chapter) it will start moving, it's getting there that's so slow and this heat isn't helping lol right now I look like a grumpy cat 😊 30 degrees it's been these past two days and I know you some of you (most) get far warmer weather but my frosty Scottish heart isn't meant for anything above 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. Right now, it's double what I'm used to 😉 I can't even contemplate cooking and it's nearly 8 o'clock at night

Hmmm… so let me see, Dumbledore revelation…I've got a neutral Harry in Be Selfish and wondering if this Harry will be too, with a spouse and father figure perhaps making it so that he grows into the warrior? Then again that's not neutral so perhaps light just not on Dumbledore's side? It's been a while since I did that taking him down destroying him utterly until Dumbledore was lower than dirt and alive to see it, whatcha guys think? R&R please