DISCLAIMER:

Harry potter, and all related creatures, characters, places and items are property of J.K. Rowling and the wonderful people at WB.
Neither RueMarion21 nor myself are making any real profit from this. We are merely using Rowling's creations to amuse ourselves.

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RueMarion21 and myself have come up with a lovely little idea for a HP/SS roleplay.

Dumbledore gets wind that Harry may not be safe at Number 4 Privet Drive, and sends Severus to check on the boy. Snape just so happens to find a heavily intoxicated Vernon Dursley in the midst of 'punishing' an already bruised and beaten Harry.

Main Cast:
Severus snape (RueMarion21)
Harry Potter (Hunter Ash)

The air was cool and crisp on the summer night that one Severus Snape found himself standing on the corner of Privet Drive. Pulling his long robes tight against the chill in the air the potions master stalked up the street towards the home of the Dursley’s. He cursed under his breath at the thought of having to deal with those idiot muggles and the insolent Potter brat. The old man had insisted though that he go and check on the boy after Figg had sent an owl claiming she had not seen the boy in over a week and was worried. The Dursley’s may family, but even Dumbledore could see they loathed the child.

“Foolish old man,” Severus mumbled under his breath as he reached the front door and rapped his knuckles on the wood. Nothing…he waited a few more moments…still nothing. The potions’ master tried the door; locked. His patience was wearing thin. Pounding his fist to the door; he yelled, “MR. DURSLEY!”

It was then that Severus heard the unmistakable sound of a child screaming. Before he could stop himself the potions master had unlocked the door only to stop dead at the sight of a blob of a man pounding his fists into the shaking, screaming form of one Harry Potter. “You filthy FREAK. HOW DARE YOU! I’ve given you a room and food…”

The red faced muggle stopped for a moment before a flick of Severus’ wand had him flying across the room. Petunia and the other boy came rushing into the room ignoring the broken form of Harry to rush over to the bastard. He pointed the wand at the muggles huddled near the far wall.

“How dare you!” Petunia began shreaking. Severus trained his wand on her, her infernal racket ceased.

“You would do well to stay silent, you filthy woman!” He snarled before casting a paralysis charm then turning back to check on the boy. It took everything Severus had not to cast a crucio at the muggles. That could wait. He cast a quick diagnosis charm and cursed at the sight of two broken ribs, dislocated shoulder and bruised internal organs, besides the obvious malnutrition and dehydration. He quickly pulled out a few of his emergency potions. “Potter, you need to drink this.”

Harry paled more, if possible, at the appearance of the potions master. He whimpered softly, watching him warily through squinted eyes- partially due to the lack of his glasses, as well as the fact that the left one was already swelling shut. He thanked all the gods to the high heavens that the professor only used minor diagnostics charms... Though he knew the moment he was at Hogwarts, Poppy would be casting more in depth ones. Then they would know what his uncle had done to him, that he was dirty, impure.

He looked from the professor to the vial, and back again, hesitantly reaching for it. A quick sniff confirmed that it was nothing new, probably one of the same ones Poppy usually used on him- to fix broken bones, or stop bleeding, or something. He drank the potion in one go, wincing slightly at the pain swallowing caused. Besides his serious internal injuries, there were literally dozens of bruises and minor cuts littering his thin form, including two in the shape of Vernon's hands around his neck from the night before when he'd screamed in pain at... at being raped by him before passing out, thankfully. He downed two other potions as well, all with visible discomfort, and had to resist the urge to pass out again, even as the room greyed and began swimming before his eyes.

Severus looked over the frightened child, then noticed how the boy could hardly sit up right. He quickly pulled off his outer cloak and rolled it up. Slowly the dark haired man leaned over and helped to lay Harry down on the cloak. "Be still Potter, you don't want to worsen your injuries." The alabaster face betrayed no emotion as he walked over to the fire place, kicking the male muggle in the face a few times as he walked past. The bastard reminded him of his own muggle father. Damn him...The potion's master knelt, "CONDICIO, Albus Dumbledore."

"Severus," the worried voice of the Head Master came through the fire. "What's happened?"

"Sir, there's no time. I've stabilized Mr. Potter, but I need you and Poppy here quickly. The muggles...Potter needs medical attention quickly." The face of Albus nodded before disappearing. Severus sighed before rising and using his wand to pin the blob of a man to the wall. Blood poured from his nose where Severus had kicked him."You can't speak, but I want you to listen Dursley. What you've done to this child, will be miniscule to the sufferings I will make sure you receive." Another flick sent the bound man flying into the wall. Severus sneered at Petunia and the boy before heading over to Potter and covering him with a throw from the couch.

It was not in his nature to comfort so he stood quietly by the boy, waiting for the others.

Harry curled in on himself as much as he could, thankful one of the potions had been a pain reliever. Soon enough, despite his discomfort, he fell asleep. Or maybe into unconsciousness. It was difficult to tell.


Dumbledore and Poppy soon arrived. The medi-witch cast a more in-depth diagnostic spell on Harry, a long list of injuries appearing, more and more adding to the list each second. Every injury since the day of his birth was on the list by the time it was finished. The first year or so, it was mild things, like scrapes and bruises one would expect a child learning to walk to acquire, along with the scar on his forehead. After that first year, since he'd been placed with the Dursley's... Scrapes and cuts and bruises for the first couple of years, then burn marks and severe cuts, likely from similar beatings, broken bones and internal bruising, along with malnutrition and dehydration, and other such similar ailments, as well as all the injuries she'd healed him from during the school year. The list went on and on. Poppy knew that most of the injuries had not been accidental. What worried her the most though, was the fact that the injuries from just that summer equaled as mush as Harry had received in any single year from the age of five until he'd reached eleven. And the fact that 'rape' showed up on the list from that summer and the summer before, several times.

"Albus, Severus... you both should see this..." She said, voice wavering a little, and she looked paler than normal. She passed the list to Albus, and knelt beside the unconscious boy, removing his shirt and trousers with magic, leaving him in just his undergarments. Using magic to heal as much of the damage as she could, and rubbing salve over the bruises and scars to make them fade faster.

Albus quickly moved towards Poppy and the child, Severus stayed back for a moment. His heart was clinched in fear, the potion's master could see the bruises on the boys hips. Damn that vile... He turned to the muggle still frozen on the floor. Severus' lips curled back off his teeth as he slammed the man's head into the stone of the fire place. The man wasn't dead, but once the ministry got ahold of him, he wished he would. Severus turned to Petunia.

"Ennervate. You better explain quickly Petunia, how you could let that monster do that to your sister's child." The muggle woman glared up at him silently. She spat in his face.

"I don't have to explain anything to you." Severus whipped the spittle from his face.

"Silentio! Cruicio!" He watched as silent screams tore from the woman's mouth. He was about to cast the curse again when He felt arms around his middle and his wand was torn from his hand. Albus kept his still, then turned back to Poppy who was holding Potter close, her eyes round with fear.

"Poppy, Please take Harry to the infirmary. I'll be there in a few moments." She nodded levitating the boy and heading through the fire. Albus pulled Severus through the fire where they landed in the head master's office.

In the infirmary, Poppy had gotten Harry into a gown and tucked into bed, carefully feeding him a Dreamless Sleep potion, knowing that it would be needed. Sighing, she headed into her office, sitting down with her head in her hands. How had no one seen the signs of abuse and neglect before? How had she not seen them? The boy was in there at least once a month for some reason or another. But never once had she seen any trace of any of the boys scars, or any bruises. She felt so bad for the boy laying unconscious in one of the beds. "If only someone had noticed..." She said softly to herself, a few tears dripping down her cheeks.

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Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, Albus had taken his seat, and summoned a house elf, who brought his a cup of tea. "Severus... Your behaviour at the Dursley's was rather unbecoming of a man such as yourself..." Albus said, disappointment visible in his bright blue eyes. "Care to explain? I thought you hated young Mr. Potter?" he asked, curious.

Severus was shaking with anger as he listen to Albus. "Severus. You cant just...Severus, Oh my boy." He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and a tissue pressed into his hand. At that moment the potion's master realized he was crying. Whipping his face silently Severus got up to leave.

"I apologize Headmaster. If you will excuse me I will retire to the dungeons." Albus stopped him with a hand to his shoulder, as it guided him back to his seat.

"Severus. I think you need to it for a moment and tell me what is going on." Severus had no explanation for his actions, non at least that he was willing to share with Albus, something in him had snapped inside him at the thought of that man assaulting that child. He shook his head and got up again.

"Sir, there is nothing to say. Please excuse me." The potions' master moved quickly out of the door and walked to the dungeons. Thoughts of Lilly raced though his mind and all he could think of was that he had failed her; failed Harry. Once in his rooms the Severus sank to the floor inside his door and sobbed into his hands.

Albus sighed. He knew Severus's father hadn't been the most pleasant man in the world, but he hadn't been half as bad as Vernon Dursley. He knew Severus was likely blaming himself for all this, and could only hope the potions master would not do anything stupid. He also knew that Severus dealt with this kind of situation every day. A large number of the Slytherins came from abusive households, merely because the parents were followers of Voldemort, and believed in upholding the high standards of pureblood lineage. He couldn't, however, figure out why Harry's situation was bringing out such a reaction in Severus. He supposed it could have been due to how close the man had been with Lily, but that would not explain Severus's behaviour towards the boy in the last five years. He sat there, staring at his tea, occasionally taking a slow sip from the rapidly cooling beverage.

The next morning the bags under Severus' eyes were darker than normal. He kept reliving the night that had changed everything.Shaking his head the potion's master moved silently through the halls towards the infirmary. After he finished his crying Severus had spent the rest of the night making potions.

He opened the door slowly so he didn't disturb anyone. Poppy looked up from her bedside post near Harry's bed. She smiled softly, "Severus."

"I brought you some new potions, their extra potency should help Mr. Potter recover faster. I also made a batch of extra calming drought for when he wakes." He handed the vials to the nurse who took them gratefully.

"He should be waking soon Severus if you'd watch him for a moment I need to check on my other patients. I don't want the poor lamb to wake up alone and disoriented." The fake smile she was fighting to keep in her face fell suddenly and she sobbed before covering her mouth. "Severus, h-h-how could they do that to the boy?"

He tried to comfort her with a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know, Poppy. I have no idea, but I will stay with the boy while you do what you need to." Poppy nodded and headed off. Severus pulled a chair over to the bed and sat looking down at the shaggy headed boy. The potions master was suddenly over come by his memories of Lily. Potter had her soft heart shape face and underneath his closed lids, Lily's green eyes. Soon the warm hushed quiet lulled Severus to sleep.

((:offtopic:What is AnxitoFime?))

It wasn't long before Harry regained consciousness, the dreamless sleep potion wearing off. Whimpering softly, Harry trembled, frightened. Awake, he knew where he was, and he also knew it was for more likely that they now knew what had transpired both the night before, and every other day he'd spent in that wretched house since his parents had died.

He rolled over onto his side, bad vision made worse by the tears that came to his eyes. Yet he was still able to make out the form in the chair next to the bed, knowing it was the potions master. He let his eyes slip shut again as he cried, burying his face into his pillow to try and muffle his sobs, not wanting anyone else to see him so pitifully weak.

(( I made up an anti anxiety potion. I though that Harry would need something to help him. I just now remembered the calming drought. Bloody Heck! I'm changing it now.))

Severus woke to the sounds of suppressed sobs. It took him a moment to focus his weary eyes and see the shuddering form of Harry Potter. He moved from the chair slowly and knelt by the bed. Softly he laid a hand on Harry's hand. "Potter..." There was no response. "Harry, Harry. Your safe, your at Hogwarts. He's gone, he can't hurt you anymore."

He pulled back enough so that Potter could see him clearly. He reached for a few of the potions that Poppy had prepared by the boy's bed. "Potter you need to sit up. I have a few potions for you. They'll help with the pain." There was no response from the boy on the bed. Severus was at a loss on what to do. He did not process emotion well, his own or those around him.

Thankfully Poppy came back at that moment. Before she could say anything Severus got up and left the infirmary heading for his dungeons. At that moment the potion master wished that there were children running around the halls. The noise of their ceaseless jabber would drown out the thoughts racing through his mind. Severus was suddenly distracted by searing pain in his arm. Turning into one of the open classrooms that lined the halls he pulled up his sleeve to reveal the dark mark writhing underneath his skin; Voldemort was calling him.

When he heard the doors to the infirmary shut, he looked up briefly, confirming that the potions master had left. Whimpering softly, Harry sat up slowly, wincing as pain rushed through his body. He accepted the potions poppy gave him, thankful for the pain to fade.

Snape ignored the summons until he could reach the edge of the castle's wards then with a loud crack apperated. He landed on the manicured lawns of the Malfoy mansion, the rich green grass cushioning his fall. A few other cracks were heard as Rudolf and a few of the other death eaters appeared. Ignoring the others' Severus moved swiftly across the lawn and to the front door. It was pulled swiftly open to reveal a smirking Wormtail. "Our lord is very upset with you Potions' Master."

Taking only the briefest moment to raise an eyebrow in indifference, Snape moved past him and through the dimly lit halls of the former Malfoy Mansion. The decoration may not have changed when Voldemort began to occupy the residence, but the atmosphere had. Severus resisted the urge to wrap his cloak tighter around himself before stepping into the great hall.

Most of the death eaters were gathered round the long table, Voldemort sat of course at he head the vile Snake draped over his neck. The dark lord stroked it absently as he listened to one of the minion's report. He looked up when Snape entered. "Do come in Severus. I hear there is much you need to tell me about our young Mr. Potter." The snake man's lips split in a cruel grin. Severus bowed his head and took one of the open chairs. Sitting he took in the others at the table. All two remaining Malfoy's held vacant stairs at the opposite wall, and Severus could tell that Draco and Narcissa were holding each other's hand under the table. Obviously their long term occupant was shattering what little hope they had left. The imprisonment of Lucius had been especially hard on his godson. The boy felt that he had to take his father's place a the dark lord's side. Foolish child.

"Severus! What news of the boy?" Severus turned his eyes towards the dark wizard as he felt the mental probing of his shields. "My pawn in the Ministry tells me Aurors were summoned to the muggle hovel last night."

"The head master has decided that it would be better if boy finished his summer away from the muggles." The force in his head pressed more urgently against the walls, but to no avail. Voldemort smirked then rose slowly walking around the table before standing just behind Severus' chair.

"Is there something your hiding from me my spy? Hmm...my mole in the ministry told me the muggles, especially the man was badly damaged and there was signs of the Crutiatus curse being used. Care to explain Severus." Severus refused to make eye contact with the vile creature leaning near his face.

"No, my lord. All I know is Dumbledore has removed the child and intends to have him stay at the castle." The pain from Voldemort's probing nearly made his eyes water. Suddenly his chair lurched back and he was thrown into the wall. Voldemort had his wand poised above his face; sneer twisting his already hideous features.

"You are LYING! TELL ME WHAT ARE YOU HIDING!"

"Nothing My Lord." Severus stayed still, his face impassive.

"CRUCIO! CRUCIO!" The potions master spasm in pain keeping his screams inside. If was only a few moments before he let the pain pull him into the darkness of unconsciousness.

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When he woke again Severus was laying on the floor of the Malfoy manor. The room was empty save for his godson who knelt close. Draco helped Snape sit up slowly. "I don't have any potions, He keeps then locked up." Draco looked in his godfather's eyes, obviously scared and angry at the man before him "Why didn't you just tell him what he wanted to know?" Severus shook his head, immediately regretting the action.

"Not here." His voice was rough and barely a whisper. "Go Draco. I'll make it on my own." It took Draco a few moments to leave. Snape waited till the boy was gone before limping back down the hall and out on the lawn before apperating.

He landed near the edge of Hogsmed, then slowly started back for the castle in the distance. As he entered his the castle Severus moved down to his rooms. Albus was waiting inside, he took in Snape's appearance with wide eyes. The potions master moved to the side bar and poured a large glass of firewhiskey downing it in a few quick gulps; he could feel the headmaster's eyes bore into the back of his head. "It's nothing Albus, Potter is safe and Voldemort knows nothing," Severus snarled, then poured himself another glass of the amber liquor. He turned back around to find Albus handing him a handkerchief.

"Your bleeding, my boy." The headmaster watched as Severus wiped the blood from his nose. "I think you should come with me and let Poppy have a look at y-" The last thing Snape saw was the concerned face of the headmaster.

After Severus had passed out, Albus had lifted him with a simple levitation charm, and had taken him up to the infirmary. "Poppy... I'm afraid I have another patient for you to tend to..." The old wizard called out, gently lowering Severus to one of the beds beside Harry's.

Poppy came out of her office, where she'd retreated to after Harry had fallen back to sleep after taking the potions. "Oh dear... What have you gotten yourself into now, Severus?" She said softly, casting a few quick charms to stop his nose from bleeding, and heal up the few other cuts and scrapes, before magicking a revitalizing potion and a pain relieving potion into the professors system.

Severus blinked slowly. He had passed out, again...He sat up quickly and took in his surroundings. The white walls, big windows and light filled room; the infirmary. Turning he saw the boy was laying in the next bed. Potter... The boy was still asleep...he was too young to have gone through all that abuse. They both had been. Severus could remember quite clearly his own father's fists and drunken rages after his mother had passed.

"Severus?" He was pulled from his thoughts as Poppy sat touched his arm. "It's good to see you awake. Now I gave you the recommended potions for the curciatus curse, but I want you resting here for the next 24 hours." He rose to protest and the medic silenced him with a glare that rivaled the dark lord. "No butts Severus! Albus agrees with me you need to rest as long as you can before He summons you again."

"Fine Poppy, fine." Severus looked back over at Potter's still form. "Has he spoken yet?"

"No, poor boy. How could a person do that to a child!?" Poppy violently whispered; tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

"Poppy you know better than anyone the cruelty's people are capable of." She knodded patting Severus' shoulder before leaving. He only got a moment's reprieve before Albus was making his way through the infirmary. He magic a fluffy chair out of an extra jar then sat next to the potion's professor.

"I know your resting Severus, but we do need to -"

"Voldemort knows nothing. He'd heard the boy was taken from the muggles, but not why." Snape snapped. "Potter once again is safe and sound."

"Are you sure my boy that nothing-" Severus turned fully looking at his companion.

"OF course I'm sure Albus. I endured hours of tourture to make sure He learned nothing from me."

"I-I know my boy and I am sorry. You've done well though and Lil-" Snape shook his head and raised a hand to stop Albus from continuing.

"Albus...I think it would be best if you left. Poppy says I need my rest." He didn't want to think about Lily or why he was risking his sanity, his very life for the child of James Potter.

"Quite right." Albus returned the chair to his original form before checking once more on Potter then leaving the infirmary. Snape found himself looking over the boy before he slipped out of bed and took the seat next to the bed of the savior of the wizarding world.

Harry could sense the body nearby, shifting towards it, looking for comfort as a small whine slipped from him, the pain relievers wearing off slowly. He so much just wished to be held, told he was safe. More than that, he wanted to be able to believe it. Unshed tears glistened at the corners of his eyes, as heavy lids fluttered before opening slowly.

Severus watched as the boy started to wake. They whine of pain, the child let out had Severus reaching out instinctively to the boy. Pulling back he thought better, he didn't want to frighten the boy anymore than he already was. Slowly, careful of his still healing body Severus knelt so that he was eye level with Potter. He never for more inadequate then when he looked into those grass green orbs.

"Potter?"

Harry flinched back, not expecting Severus to suddenly be so close to him. He trembled softly, not sure what the professor would do to him, or even if the man could be trusted. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a soft croak, and he fell into a coughing fit.

Snape quickly moved back at the sight of the boy trembling. Then poured a glass of water for the child when the coughing started. Severus gently helped Harry to sit up keeping a warm hand on the boys back. "Here, drink slowly Potter." The potion's master tried to remember how his mother had comforted him as a child. Gently he started to rub his hand up and dow the thin back. He could count each rib and vertebrae in the child's back. "It's alright Po-Harry. Your safe."

Harry started at the touch, but quickly relaxed into it, as much as he could, at least. He sipped at the water when the coughing fit died down a little, glad that it seemed to help. He slowly finished the glass, leaning into Severus' soothing touch. His eyes stayed open as he watched the potions master warily, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He was shocked to find that he actually felt.... safe with Severus.

Severus kept softly murmuring words of comfort not knowing what else to do. The small smile that tugged at the edges of Potter's mouth warmed the cold spot that has been in the potion master's chest for as long as he could remember. He felt his mouth trying to return the smile to Potter, but it came out more as a sneer. Merlin...how long has it been since I actually smiled?

At that moment Poppy made her rounds back to check on Harry and Severus. She was more than surprised to see Severus comforting the boy. Coughing slightly she made her presence known to the two men. Snape's arm shot back to his side and he pulled away slightly from Harry. "Harry, Oh dear it's good to see you awake! Severus thank you for helping him."

Snape nodded and moved away back to his bed quickly, Poppy could comfort the boy much better than Severus. He stopped when he felt a hand on his arm. Poppy gave him a smile and guided him back to his seat by Harry. "Severus you need to rest, stay here for a little while longer." The medic had seen how fearful and big the boy's eyes had gotten when the Syltherin nearly raced back to his bed. She turned back to the young man in the bed, "Now Harry, can I get you anything?"

Harry whined softly when Severus moved away quickly, cowering slightly at hte sudden movement. He looked up at Poppy. About to shake his head, he stopped. "A-another pain reliever would be nice..." He said softly.

Poppy busied herself and gave the boy another potion. Severus watched the woman with feigned interest, keeping his eye on Harry. He had heard the boy's whimper when he left. Could Potter have actually found comfort in his presence? The potion's master turned more fully towards the boy, trying to come up with something to say. "Potter-"

Be for he could speak the doors at the end of the infirmary slammed open making Severus startle and the boy jump. Snape reached over laying a gentle hand on Harry's own. Remus Lupin walked swiftly in with Mcgonagall on his heels. The potions master feel the rage and anxiety pouring off of the were. This couldn't be good for the boy. Severus stood quickly, but was beaten to the punch by Poppy.

"What the HELL are you doing coming in here like that!?"

Harry jumped when the doors slammed open. Seeing a very angry Remus, he cowered back a ways, clinging to Severus, pulling the man down to sit next to him on the bed.

Remus ignored Poppy, glaring at Severus. His eyes had far more of an animalistic gleam to them today than they ever had before, except right before the full moon- which wouldn't occur for another week and a half. "You!" He growled, drawing his wand and aiming it at Severus. "Get your hands off my godson, you filthy piece of deatheater scum..." He said, approaching the bed slowly. He had been called to the school by Albus that morning, and had been informed of what had happened to Harry. And now seeing the way Severus sat with the teen... He did not know what Severus' intentions were, but he knew they were anything but pure.

Harry cowered back further as a very pissed off werewolf approached, and curled into Snape's side. It seemed to both confuse Remus, and anger him more.