Chapter Text
Former Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black looked on as the current Headmaster shutdown young Potter's near knee-made begging to not be sent back to his relatives for the summer.
"The Weasley's could take me in sir," Headmaster Black heard Potter plea, the young boy near tears as Dumbledore gave him a bogus reason as to why he needed to return to his aunt and uncle.
"I'm sure it cannot be as you say, Harry," Albus said the twinkle in his eye ever-present, "Run along now."
Phineas shared a look with his fellow portraits and made a tactical decision to protect a ward of this institution and left his portrait hole for one the obvious choice first, a ward of his own house.
He found Severus in his office, as is typical for a Friday afternoon, and said, "You need to investigate young Potter's home life."
Severus' hand stilled from where it was correcting his fourth years essays.
"You know I would not say this if I didn't think something serious was happening," the former head said seriously, "I know how you feel about the boy, I do. I saw how those so called Marauders did not only to you but to others of their year and lower. However, this is different...the boy's mannerisms as he spoke with the headmaster reminded me of those of a boy who's father beat him."
Severus' eyes widened at this in disbelief and said, "Pardon my impertinence Headmaster, do you expect me to believe that James Potter's son is being abused?"
Phineas' brow twitched at the scoff Severus let out before going back to his papers.
"Are you calling me a liar?" Phineas asked gravely, "If so then you have no faith in our house."
"It is neither you nor our house that I doubt," Severus ground out, "It is simply the subject of Potter being abused that baffles me."
"I never pegged you for a man that would ignore an abuse allegation no matter if it were true or not without soundproof," the former headmaster said honestly, "Since when do you take Albus' word as truth after how everything with the boy's parents was handled? Especially since the Gryffindor Head saying how the muggles the boy was sent to are the worst sort of muggles imaginable."
Severus leaned back in his chair, grading for the moment forgotten, and sent a Patronus to Minerva.
The men waited in silence as they waited each deep in thought. The painted man was half desperate to get through the older (living) man, while said older man thought of what could be so bad about Potter getting rightfully disciplined for being a brat. That and he did not want to admit the old headmaster was correct in not only his assumption that the abuse hunch is correct but But that he had let his own anger and resentment towards Potter the elder cloud his judgment over a child. Phineas was right, that he'd not act the same way if it were any other child...but he'd not say that aloud.
Not a moment too soon, Minerva walked into the classroom looking not too pleased with being interrupted on the first day of summer holiday. Something that neither man could really blame her for, however, she would be the tiebreaker of sorts they needed for this particular subject.
"Pardon the interruption Deputy Headmistress," Phineas began with a respectful nod, "However there is a subject for debate only you can put an end to."
"And what would that be Headmaster Black?" She asked cordially.
"Harry Potter," he said plainly, "I overheard the boy just about beg on bended knee for Albus not to send him back to his relatives. Severus here believes that there is no cause for concern. That the matter of this is mainly disciplinary and that calling whatever disciplinary measures being administered are therefore valid."
"It's Potter," Severus said as if that was the answer for everything, "Does the trouble he and his little friends caused during the school year not prove anything?"
"It proves that we as adults and mentors are inept in shaping the young minds of this institution," Minerva said strongly before heaving a tired sigh, "They'd come to me about the stone and I did not heed their warning. If I'd done my job, I'd have gone to check that all was still in place. I'd have at least asked either you or Albus to aid in adding protections to the door, as it should have been done in the first place, to keep any more students from being curious about it."
Severus had to admit, it was blatantly moronic of Dumbledore to basically hand over the stone to anyone with wit enough to get through the traps.
"And as for Mr. Potter, I've been telling Albus throughout the boy's life that his aunt's family are the worst sort of muggle on this earth!" She said with a sigh, "And yet he insists that he will be safe with his mother's protection.
Severus' eyes widened when he heard who exactly the boy was living with, "Petunia...Albus sent a child, Lily's child, to live with her sister!"
Minerva nodded only making him more agitated.
"Minerva, Petunia grew hateful in her envy of Lily," he said in awe of this revelation, "Did he really not stop to think that grudges go far? Did he not stop to think what could happen within the so-called wards of that home!? The wards may protect Potter from the outward horrors of our world but what about those that occur within?"
Minerva looked up in horror at Severus.
"Contact Amelia and then go to Gringotts," Severus said standing from his seat.
"Where are you going!?" She called after him.
"To right a wrong that is long overdue," he said as he flood directly to his home in Cokeworth.
Back in his office, Phineas looked at Minerva with a smug grin on his face.
"What are you so happy about?" She asked walking to the portrait.
"He'd made a vow to that boy's mother to protect him and, I as a former headmaster of this school am compelled to aid her students as I see fit," he said proudly, "That boy should not have gone into that home, to hell with Albus and his scheming. To hell with his version of a greater good."
Minerva nodded at this and said, "I think I'll write the missives needed from here."
"I shall return with haste," Phineas said, "I don't usually leave my portrait, and not being there may set Albus off."
In Cokeworth, Severus made quick work to right his home as best he could to house him and near teenage boy...at least until the time for them to move came. Satisfied that the dreary and decrepit house now looked homey enough to garner approval, he went room to room making sure all was in working order before leaving the home and apparating into a Hogsmead alleyway. He decided it was high time for him to own up to his shortcomings, one of them being how he missed the signs of abuse that were so blatantly under his nose. The fact that Potter, coming from a magical family, knew nothing of magic should have been a dead giveaway. And yet he'd taken Albus' word as law that all was well and the child was where he belonged getting spoiled and all that rot. And yet, he is thinking of the same man that let another student get away with attempted murder...
Severus breathed a heavy sigh sending a silent prayer asking for forgiveness, not for the first time asking if he'd paid for the crimes he'd committed.
Number 4, Privet Drive.
It's been a little under a week since Harry had returned to his aunt and uncle's home and he'd already gotten the first beating. Fearful or not of magic, it was now clear that his uncle was going to be pushing the boundary with his aunt and cousin by his side leaving Harry with little hope to do much at all let alone survive the summer.
That night Harry bit his pillow to keep from screaming as his belly pulsated after uncle Vernon had kicked him within an inch of his life. He is sure that if he were to receive another such beating he'd die then and there. The truth of it was is that Harry's not sure if that's a bad thing anymore...
"There's no need to fear...He will come...as he's always been there for you..."
Harry looked around at the sound of the voice.
The spirit of Lily Potter seemed to glow in the darkness of his room. Her red hair resplendent only second to her eyes as she smiled at him sadly but with pure love in her eyes for her boy.
"Mum," Harry mumbled shifting toward her.
Lily in turn cupped his bruised cheek, thumb running over the red marks her sister left there.
"Harry remember that we love you no matter what," she said quietly.
Harry nodded and wondered if she was here to take him with her.
She gave him a breathy laugh and said, "It is still not your time. You've much to live still and the one that shall help you live it will be here soon. He was and shall always be a dear friend no matter what people say, he has lived a hard life much harder than I let myself see he lived. When he comes to you tell him that lily's are also the symbol of a new life."
Harry looked at her confused not understanding her meaning.
"I'll stay with you until he arrives," she vowed with a gentle grin, "Until then let me tell you a story."
Harry listened carefully to the story of a boy that turned grass blades into flowers, to his ever surprise and utter shock he realized that and his most hated professor have more in common than he originally thought.
"But why then is he..."
"Treating you as he does?" Lily asked completing his thought, "There are many valid reasons for it, none of which are my story to tell. No, I am not saying I condone the way he has treated you or the other Gryffs but what I am saying is that there is truth, a very real and horrible truth for why he does."
Harry nodded at this, he had a lot to think about still and made a mental note to think on it in the morning. For now, he let himself fall asleep to his mother's humming and her warm touch.