Severus was still contemplating his situation when Albus and Minerva reached the door to his rooms. A small tingle down his spine told him that someone was in his room. Only Albus knew the password to his rooms. He Stood straightening his shirt and walked up from his lab.

As he predicted Minerva and Albus were sitting on his couch. He raised an elegant thin eyebrow, "Can I help you with someone or are you here to call me a child molester again?" Turing his back to the other wizards Severus summoned his robes putting them on and wrapping them around himself feeling a sudden chill.

Albus chuckled lightly before speaking, "My boy, I apologize for the actions of the other teachers. Harry would like to speak to you and Remus privately."

"Really, are you not worried for his safety around me. Since-" Severus started to rant. Minerva stood suddenly.

"Severus. I apologize for my reactions. We have all been worried about Harry. Please he was very instant that he speak with you." Albus nodded agreeing with Minerva.

"Go on my boy." Severus left his rooms without another word. He couldn't stand listening to Minerva try to apologize to him, when she meant none of it.

He entered the infirmary with a swirl of his robes. Severus stood near the door looking across the room at Harry and Lupin. "Albus said that you wished to speak to me."

Harry looked up when the doors opened, smiling when he saw the potions master. He sat up, pulling away from Remus, and motioned for Severus to come over. "You two need to learn to get along.... Remus, he's not going to hurt me... He's the one who damn well saved me, for Merlin's sake." He said, feeling the were begin a low growl.

"And you.." He started, turning to Severus, suddenly finding himself at a loss of words. "I don't understand any of this... why you were the only one to ever truly care about protecting me... Well, the only one who actually could..." He said, knowing Sirius and Remus would have done anything to protect him- and they had, when possible.

Severus walked stiffly forward stopping by the bed. He saw Remus' then Harry's face fall as the boy brought up the incident from the night before. Placing his hand on Harry's shoulder he sat on the bed near Remus' feet. The wolf was still looking a bit pitiful. "Lupin, do act like the adult you are. Potter knows you would do anything for him. The only person to blame in this situation is that muggle bastard. So do grow up."

Remus looked up at him slightly, "You are a right old bastard. You know that Snape?"

Severus arched an eyebrow giving a smirk. "Oh course Remus. And you are an irrational Gryffindor." Remus gave the snarky potions master a smile. "Good now, Harry was there anything else you needed?"

Harry smiled a little, and moved closer to Severus, wrapping his arms around the man and leaning against him. "I-I was thinking about asking Albus to be resorted... I just... I know I haven't gotten on well with them the past five years, but... I think I'd feel better in a house where they'd at least understand what I've gone through, better than my friends in Gryffindor..." He said, then proceeded to tell both adults about his sorting in first year, when the sorting hat had been unsure whether to place him in Gryffindor, or Slytherin.

Severus was not at least least bit surprised, of course the boy had almost been sorted into his house. Not just because, of his magical connection to the dark lord. The boy was cunning and more intelligent than most people gave him credit for. He smiled and pulled the boy closer into his side. Remus' eyes could not be wider, he was looking at Severus as if he had never seen the man before. Poor Lupin, I think we may have broken.

The wolf reached for one of Harry's hands. "Are you sure Harry? It is your decision, but maybe you should wait, look at this after you've had some time to think." Lupin was right of course, but Severus still sneered at the idea. Harry could do whatever he wanted, but every time he thought about the boy going back to Gryffindor, his chest constricted.

Harry shook his head slightly. "Remus, I've been thinking about getting resorted all summer... I know Hermione and the Weasleys and Neville love me for me, but the others... I think all they're interested in is my fame and my money." He said, taking the wolf's hand. "I know it's something my dad would have hated, but..." He shrugged. "I've always felt a call towards Slytherin, anyways. The only reason I made the hat put me in Gryffindor was because Ron told me not to trust Malfoy... And at the time I listened, because I had no other knowledge of the wizarding world."

Severus unconsciously tightened his arm around Harry. He would enjoy having the boy in his house, maybe Malfoy would find a reason to fight the dark lord. He leaned his head unconsciously on top of Harry's smelling the boy's hair.

Remus looked at the two of them. He didn't smell arousal from Severus or Harry, just contentment and safety. He caught Severus' eye and asked, "You really do care about him don't you?"

Severus smirked at the wolf, "I'm not as heartless as it would seem Lupin." A knocked sounded through the room before Albus stuck his bearded face in the door.

"Harry my lad. May I come in I have a proposal that solves all our problems."

Harry relaxed back into Severus when the man tightened his hold around him, letting his eyes drift shut. He reopened them when there was a knock at the door to the infirmary, and quirked a brow, but nodded. "Yes sir, you may enter..." He said, opening the door with a flick of his wand.

Severus turned looking at the headmaster, but kept in arm around the boy. He remembered all the summers Lily would sit with him the same way. It helped to push away the cold from his heart and feel human again. He wanted Harry to feel that way to push any doubt and negativity away from the still healing heart.

Albus approached the small group gathered on the bed. "Harry, you can't of course return to your uncle's home. Minerva, as your head of house, and I have been discussing options for your living arrangements. Minerva thought you may enjoy living at the Burrow for the rest of the summer." Severus' eyes darkened at the headmaster's words. He wold not be letting the boy go to the Weasley's. Any self esteem the boy had left would be destroyed by the time school started again. Albus saw the dark look Severus was sending his way and continued unperturbed. "With Voldemort's recent activity though, I feel that you would be safer here at the school. If your willing Severus I would like you to keep an eye on Harry and work with him for the rest of the summer. Now Harry what do you think?"

Severus tightened his arm around the boy. The knot in his stomach was tighter than normal waiting for the boy's response.

Harry bit his lip slightly, glancing up at Severus. "W-would you be alright with me staying with you, professor?" He asked, a little nervous that the man would object to having to live with him all summer.

"I do not see any down side to that arrangement. I will need an extra set of hands to fulfill my potion quota for the summer. If Harry you can manage not to make a mess of my lab." Severus gave Harry a soft smile. "It would also help you improve your scores. You are still hoping to become an auror, are you not?"

Harry nodded a little hesitantly. He still wanted to become an auror, yes, but he didn't know if he would still want to after the war. He let a small smile grace his lips, and leaned into Severus again. "In that case, it sounds like an excellent plan, Headmaster..." He said. He figured he'd wait to ask to be resorted until it came closer to September. It was still only mid July.

Severus nearly smiled at Harry's choice. Instead of letting his happiness show on his face the potions master squeezed Harry. Albus nodded his head at Harry's choice. The old man knew that if the boy was with Severus Harry would be completely safe.

"Potter when your ready. I will show you where you'll be staying." Severus' deep voice rumbled looking down at his new ward.

Harry nodded and got up, going and shrinking his trunk and Hedwig's cage to manageable sizes. "Alright... I'm ready." He said, going back over to Severus after giving Remus a hug.

Severus walked a few steps in front of Harry leading the Gryffindor to his new home for the summer. There were a nest of rooms just off his in the Dungeons. The previous Syltherin Head of House had had a large family; children had lived in the other rooms during the summer. Severus sealed off when he began to teaching, taking only the largest room for himself. Harry could have his pick of the rooms and a separate bathroom. The potions master wouldn't have minded sharing but, it would be better for the boy, if he didn't see Severus after a meeting with the dark lord.

He stopped outside the portrait to his rooms. "Harry this portal leads to the main room that we will share. The password is Semina Magnitudo."

The portrait of portrait of Phineus Black sneered at the young man beside Severus. "That half-breed Griffindor is not- "

Severus leaned close, "Old man...you will refrain from making another comment like that if you value your exsistance. I will burn you painting if you so much as utter a phrase like that to Mr. Potter." The words came out as a low growl and the man in the painting shuddered slightly. The door swung open without another word from the indignant portrait.

"Come in Harry." Severus led him to the main room lighting the fire with a wave of his wand. "The rooms Albus mentioned haven't been unsealed for many years. I'm willing to help you clean them out." He unsealed the hidden doorway on one wall. Standing to the side he gestured with an open hand. "You may chose whichever room you prefer. Mine are through that doorway there. I ask that you not enter them unless I ask you to get me something or if you need me in any way."

Harry followed Severus down into the dungeons, shrinking in on himself and almost cowering behind Severus when confronted with the painting. He relaxed a little when Phineas gave in and opened, though he didn't like the idea of having to deal with even a painting of the man every time he came or went.

He nodded a little as Severus led him in and explained he could pick any room he wanted, a little surprised at the man's generosity. "Alright, Thank you..." He said softly, heading down the little hallway that had previously been sealed off, opening each door and looking around each room, trying to decide which he wanted. He settled on the smallest room, which was still a fair size.

It was nearly empty, still with the plain stone walls of the castle instead of the painted ones of the other rooms he'd seen. There was a small closet on the far side of the room, as well as a small bathroom attached, with a sink, a toilet, and a bath/shower combo. One of the walls of the main room was curved, making him believe it would have been one of the outer walls of the tower. Smiling a little, he went to the door, sticking his head out into the hallway. "I found the one I want, sir..." He said softly.

Severus watched silently as Harry looked through each of the rooms. The boy was still so quiet and shy so very unlike the Potter he was used too. Hopefully over time Severus would be able to help the boy return to his normal self. It would take time and patience, both of which Severus had in abundance.

He was surprised to see Harry choose the most empty of the rooms in the dungeons. Walking slowly down the hall Severus waved his wand and cleaned the hallway making it livable. This part of the dungeon was colder than the others, that would have to be remedied. The boy needed to be kept warm and well fed to get well. The potion master entered the sparsly furnished. He would have to take the boy shopping...good thing it was the middle of the summer.

Severus turned to one blank wall and magic-ed a small, but adequate fire place. Then turned to look over the rest of the room. He waved the wand again turning a stone into a large warm bed. He made sure the bed had warm flannel sheets and bed curtains. The colors were left blank on purpose so the boy could choose his own colors and flair. "Harry, to change the color just place your wand on the cloth then say Pigmentum then the color you want. These will have to do till I can take you shopping. We will be getting you new clothing as well."

Harry looked shock. "Th-thank you, sir, but that's really not necessary..." he said softly, not wanting Severus to waste his money on him.

Severus waved his hand and shook his head. Turning he placed both hands on Harry's shoulders. "Potter, your health and happiness are a necessity. Do not worry about money. My father left me far too much for a single man. I am supposed to take care of you now. Buying you cloths, books and whatever else you may need is something that those muggles, should have been doing for you from the start. You can have whatever you want to decorate...even pictures of you father if you so wish it."

Severus gave Harry's shoulder a gentle squeeze and a soft smile. "Now I think you'll need just a few more pieces of furniture..." Taking a few extra pieces of rock from his pocket the potions master turned them into a desk, fluffy chair, oil lamp and a shelf for books. "There. There is a table also in the main room for you to study on if you wish to do so." Severus turned to the bathroom cleaning the dust, dirt and spider webs off of everything. He added a few clean towels, bathmats and candles. "The hot water should work, and the soaps come out of the dispensers on the side. Now if you'll follow me, I'll show you what you'll be doing for the summer."

Harry blushed just slightly. He knew Severus was right, he just didn't want to admit it. He followed the professor, both curious and nervous towards what he would be doing all summer. "Um sir... I-I was just wondering... since you're now acting as my guardian, w-would it be alright if I were to call you by your name, instead of professor or sir?" He asked a little nervous, worried he may be over-stepping his bounds.

Severus stopped when Harry spoke. "Yes, you may call me Severus, but only in private or when we are around other adults. When class starts I would ask that you call me professor." He thought for a moment before speaking again. The potions masters voice was low as he turned to look at Harry. "Your mother preferred to call me Sev."

He started walking again without another word. Leading the boy he stopped by the fire place and moved the carpet showing revealing the trap door. "This is the door to my private lab. We'll work here every so often, mostly I have you gather supplies from here and bring them to the main lab through that door, the same place where we completed your Occlumency lessons." Severus stopped for a moment thinking over that time period..."I feel I should apologize for how I treated you at that time. It was very inappropriate of me to compare you to your father."

Harry smiled slightly, following Severus. "Thank you...." He said, then nodded as he explained about his main and private labs. "Yeah... expecially since you knew nothing of me other than who my parents were...." He said softly, looking up at Sev for a moment before looking away again, tears forming but refusing to fall.

Severus placed his hand gently on Harry's shoulder. He's so thin... Noticing the clock, he saw they were missing lunch. He was getting peckish and the boy needed to eat. The potions master summoned a kitchen elf to the main room.

"How can Dolby - Master Harry Potter!" The elf ran over and wrapped his spindly arms around the boys legs. Severus let the little elf and the boy have they're reunion as he watched. He was pull from his thoughts by the arrival of the Malfoy's large Eagle Owl through the trap door in the wall to the outside.

Severus raised his arm to let the obviously tired bird rest on his arm, then shoulder as he took the letter from the large bird's talons. The hand writing was Narcissa's but, it was thready and shaky. Something had happened. He deposited the bird on the couch back ignoring the stares of both Harry and the Elf. The letter was brief and to the point.

Severus- Spinner's End. Come quickly, concerns godson. - N

The potion master assumed that she had been either in front of the other death eaters or under duress. He crumpled the note before pitching it into the fire. "Harry, I have to go. Please stay here and have Dolby bring you something to eat. I will be back...sometime." He reached for a small key in a dish on the mantel and udder a phrase activating the portkey.

Severus landed with a thunk in his living room at Spinner's End. Narcissa was sitting in a chair by the fire her head in her hands. She looked up her, eyes red and swollen from tears. She rushed up grabbing at Severus. He stopped her scrabbling at his outer cloak. "Oh Severus...t-t-the-y m-m-my god." She started to cry again softly, scaring the potions master. What ever had happened must have been truly horrific to make the reduce the wife of Lucius Malfoy to tears.

"Where is Draco, Narcissa?" She nodded towards the backroom. He left her without another word going towards the bedroom, fear was eating at his stomach. What happened? Severus opened the door and his heart stopped at the sight of the boy in front of him. Draco was covered in blood and...other fluids. The potions master could see blood and...he had to turn away for the moment and vomit.

He stomped back into the living room grabbing Narcissa by her shoulders. "Narcissa...Look at me, what did they do?" She looked at him her eyes dead and unfocused. "Answer me woman."

"She let him pledge himself to the Dark Lord. The master gave him a great gift, you should be proud of your son not weeping. Severus clean up the boy and leave. Draco is needed back at the Dark Lord's side." Severus wheeled around to see Bellatrix standing in the room her eyes lit with the fire of her insanity. In all his years of life the potions master had never once even thought of hitting a woman, at Bellatrix's words though he crossed the room and smashed his fist into her face. Her nose bled profusely onto the floor, but sh didn't even raise her wand she just began to laugh. Severus stepped over her as she cackled like the mad hen she was.

Severus left the insane sisters to themselves and went back to Draco. Luckily the boy was unconscious other wise he would be screaming in pain. Once again the potions master was casting healing spells over another assult victim. All he could think as he slowly closed open wounds, cleaned up fluids and mending broken limbs was that Harry was safe at the castle. Narcissa be damned, I am not leaving him here. After the boy was safe enough to travel the potions master scooped up his godson in his arms and activated the portkey back to Hogwarts.

Harry smiled at the sight of Dobby, and placed a hand on the elf's bony shoulder. "Hello again, Dobby..." He said softly. When the owl came in, Harry watched Severus, curious as to what was going on. He grew even more confused when the man portkeyed out of the room. Sitting on the couch, he sighed, waiting for Severus to return, and eating the small meal that Dobby brought him.

He was just finishing when Severus returned, startling the boy out of his thoughts. He looked up, eyes widening when he noticed the Malfoy heir in the man's arms. "Sev..? W-what happened to him?" Despite having been fixed up and cleaned, Harry could still tell that Draco had undergone a lot recently. Looking at both of them curiously, he caught a glimpse of something black on Draco's left forearm.

Eyes widening as he realized it was the Dark Mark, he gasped. He could guess what had happened to the boy at the hands of the deatheaters. "Severus... Th-they didn't.... did they?" Harry asked, already knowing full well what had happened, though unable to ask outright if Voldemort's followers had raped the boy.

Severus nodded solemnly as he adjusted the limp boy in his arms. Draco was far paler than he should have been and the potions master worried that he may have missed something while cleaning up the boy. He need a professional healer to look over the boy. "Dolby, please fetch Madame Pomfrey and the Headmaster. Harry, I could use your assistance."

He headed towards his own bed chamber and placed the boy on the top of the covers. Running a gentle hand through the soft blond locks, Severus tried to gather his wits. It was just as bad as when he had found Harry nearly dead a few days ago. "Harry just hold his hand and talk softly to him. I need to gather a few potions."

Tears were trailing down the wizards face. He whipped them away without another thought, then reached into his own person stores. Severus had gathered the last of the potions he would need when Poppy and Albus flew into the room. Poppy looked frantic. "Has Harry gotten hurt again?"

"No, my godson was hurt. I laid him down in the bedroom." Poppy started towards Severus' room."Poppy, Albus. May I have a word first? This calls for your utmost discretion. He was attacked after he swore his allegiance to the dark lord as part of his initiation rights. I ask that you keep silent about all of this. Draco dealt with enough in his life. I have removed him from Narcissa and the mansion. I fear my status as your spy may have been compromised."

Albus placed a gentle hand on Severus' shoulder. "Don't worry lad. He is more than welcome to stay here. We'll just take this one day at a time. Now Poppy, I think you should attend to young mister Malfoy."