SS

'Three days...

Three days since I brought him back, why isn't he awake yet? He must be in a coma, that's the only logical explanation. So that probably means he might not wake up anytime soon...' Severus furrowed his eyebrows, thinking about how much of his life the boy could miss. Repositioning himself in the uncomfortable infirmary chair, he lightly grabbed Harry's hand. He held it in his own, acting as if it were glass. Poppy walked up behind him, smiling slightly.

"What are we gonna do with him when he wakes up and gets better?" She asked, pulling up another chair. Severus, still holding the fragile hand, turned slightly to look at the medi-witch. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he is still under the custody of those muggles and I'm surely not allowing him to remain in custody there. But he has no other family left. His parents are dead Sev, where will he go?" Poppy explains with a sorrowful look. Severus looked at her, mouth open a little. He had forgotten about that. No way was he letting Harry go back to that hell-hole. He would make sure of it.

Severus slowly looked back at the fragile hand he was holding. His gaze made its way up the boys wrists with the white bandages wrapped tightly around them. He winced as the memory of the boy in the suffocating cupboard came across his mind. He closed his eyes to push it out of his mind.

'I know what I need to do.'

He carefully set Harry's hand back on the infirmary bed and stood up. "Where are you going Severus?" Poppy asked, standing up. "No, please. Stay with him. I'm going to talk to Albus. If he starts to wake up please inform me immediately." Poppy nodded and sat back down. Severus took one last glance at Harry then started towards the headmasters office.
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"Albus." Severus said walking up behind the old man. "Severus my boy, I take it the visit to Harry Potter's home was successful?" Dumbledore asks, turning around with a smile. Severus scowled.

"Far from successful. Were you aware of the fact that Mr.Potter is being abused by those muggles who claim to be his family?" Severus spat out dryly. Albus stared at the man with shock. Sitting in a chair he still stared at him. "Now Severus, I'm sure your overreacting." Severus's fist's clench as he starts to slowly walk towards him.

"Overreacting?! I enter that house and everyone is gone. I search that house and do you know what I had found? A boy unconscious in the cupboard underneath the stairs. He had many injuries and some from his own doing. Bruises and cuts scatter his body. Underneath him was a raggedy bed with blood stains and springs sticking out. You go ahead and tell me I'm overreacting!" Severus yelled looking straight into the man's eyes. Severus fumed but forced himself to call down. Dumbledore sat in shock, fury and guilt.

"I... I had no idea." The old man put his head in his hands and sighed. "This is all my fault."

"You are not to blame for the muggles ignorance though, I am angry you never noticed. But, we need to figure out where Harry will go to. I will surely not allow him to stay in custody of those monsters." Severus exclaimed. Albus looked up at him with glossy eyes and nodded. "I agree, he will not stay there. But who will take the new guardianship of Harry?"

Severus looked as if he were going to say something. His mouth opened but no words came out. Looking to the ground then back up again, he finally found what to say. "I... would like to take the boy in and be his new guardian."

These words took the old man by surprise. He looked at Severus for a second, then smiled brightly. "My, my, what a wonderful idea. I'll be sure to get the papers and arrange everything. I will also make sure to be discrete about it, no press. Now, where is Harry?"

Severus's stare went to a sad look. "He's down in the infirmary. I had to apparate us both here." Albus nodded slowly and stood up, along with Severus.

"Have a good evening Severus. Look after him." Albus says smiling kindly at him. "I will Albus, you to."