Chapter Text
Severus Snape had almost ignored the scrap of parchment held by the brown Barn owl as it swooped toward him. The bird, possibly sensing his ire, dropped the note into his eggs and sailed right back out of the Great Hall. A quick flick of his wand showed no jinxes, hexes, or malevolent spells on the missive. Plucking it out of his breakfast with the tips of two fingers, Severus shook off any clinging eggs and tucked the note into a small pocket in his robes without reading it. He had barely an hour before the Portkey activated.
Pointedly refusing to look at the headmaster, Severus pushed back his chair and left the table in a swirl of black robes. His rooms were packed and had already been transported via house-elf to his grandfather's house, where Severus was to spend the summer. It would be the first time since he had achieved his mastery that Severus would be able to just take time to relax and reevaluate his life. His current teaching contract with Hogwarts expired today and instead of automatically renewing it, as the headmaster expected, he'd decided to think about it first. Two months prior, Gringotts had forwarded a letter from his maternal grandfather, asking him to consider an extended visit, which Severus had accepted after several weeks of soul searching. He was curious about his only living relative and perhaps he could even reconcile with the man who had disowned his mother.
As he stepped into his lab, Severus took the note from his pocket and opened it.
Severus, Could I trouble you for a jar of Bruise Paste? It is a bit of an emergency, so please feel free to Floo through to my home. Arabella Figg
Severus rolled his eyes like a teenager. Arabella was a contemporary of his mum, having been best friends during their childhood. Upset when her friend couldn't attend Hogwarts, Eileen had written Arabella daily, telling her every detail about the school. Arabella had continued to write, by Muggle post, after his mother had married against her family's wishes and moved to Cokeworth with Tobias. After Eileen's death, Arabella had written Severus sporadically, especially when she was in need of a potion.
Retrieving a small jar of Bruise Paste, Severus stepped into his fireplace and threw down a pinch of Floo powder. "Arabella Figg's residence!"
Severus stepped into an empty sitting room, several lounging cats completely ignoring his presence. He frowned as he quickly checked his pocket watch and was relieved to see he still had some time left. Opening his mouth to call out to Arabella, Severus snapped it shut as he heard a shrill voice coming from the foyer area.
"—pologize, Arabella, for bringing the fr—boy over early, but he just won't leave poor Dudley alone and Vernon wants us ready to leave by the time he gets home from work!"
"It's fine, Petunia, I don't mind. Saw the tykes playing in the front yard earlier and they seemed to be chasing—"
"Yes, yes, you know how rough children can be and none are as clumsy as this one! Don’t mind the bruises, he heals quickly. Here are his things!"
Severus gasped as he recognized Petunia Evans' voice, still as sharp and condescending as it was in their youth. A horrible thought crossed his mind, immediately discarded due to the absurdity of it, and he remained out of sight as the women exchanged goodbyes. He heard the front door close.
"Come, lad, I have some medicine coming to help those bruises."
Severus stepped into the doorway. "It is here," he said, looking down at the child next to Arabella, surprised when he flinched violently.
At first glance, the boy may have looked like a young James Potter, however, his small stature and bruise-covered face were the first things Severus saw. Until he lifted his chin and Severus was captured by a pair of apprehensive green eyes. Lily's eyes! When the child's arm came up in a defensive gesture, Severus took in the cuts and scrapes, as well as the purple fading to yellow marks, and realized the boy was the victim of long-term abuse. Severus recognized the pattern of injuries from his own childhood.
Arabella jumped at his sudden appearance, gasping as her hand fluttered towards him. "Severus! You scared me!"
Crouching down, Severus slowly extended his hand toward the child, the jar of bruise paste resting on his palm. "Does he come to you looking like this often?"
"Yes," Arabella answered quietly, watching the interaction.
The portkey vibrated in his pocket, giving him a five-minute warning just as the huge rag the child was wearing slipped off one shoulder and Severus saw scars among the welts. For an instant, Severus was looking into the mirror of his own past and seeing himself superimposed over the child. He captured the small hand tentatively reaching for the Bruise Paste and slowly tugged the child closer, letting him take the jar.
"Arabella, I think I'll take this little one with me," Severus said softly, his eyes meeting the startled green.
"I think it's a splendid idea!" Arabella hissed fiercely. "Do a memory charm on me: he behaved and did all his chores, then I sent him back home."
Severus arched an eyebrow at the wording, but concentrated on carefully drawing little Harry closer. "Isn't he supposed to be four?"
"Five next month, but he isn't fed much." Arabella retrieved an old rucksack with a
broken strap and handed it to Harry. "Severus was a friend of your mummy, Harry; he'll take good care of you."
Standing, Severus quickly drew his wand and charmed Arabella's memory before he carefully lifted Harry into his arms. Fishing the Portkey out of his pocket, Severus pressed it against Harry's fingers.
"Hold on, this may feel funny," he said as the watch fob with the Prince crest activated.
The Portkey dropped them on a long expanse of lawn, in front of a large French chateau. The house looked more like a small castle, the walls made of white stone, and round turret-like towers at the corners. An elegant door of dark wood and gold fittings swung open slowly as Severus was attempting to calm the terrified child. Harry was stiff as a board and clinging to Severus, his face buried in the side of Severus' neck.
"Severus?"
A deep voice startled both of them and Severus looked up to the tall, broad-shouldered man with his mother's eyes and high cheekbones walking towards them. Wrapping his arms around Harry, Severus gave his grandfather a bow.
"Lord Prince."
The man extended his hand, palm up, in a gesture of reconciliation. "Grandfather, Severus, please."
Severus straightened up and gingerly covered his grandfather's hand with his. A tingle of familial magic enfolded his hand and ran up his arm to spread a warmth of welcome through his body. "Grandfather."
Lightly clasping his hand, Lord Lionel Prince tugged Severus toward the stairs, studiously ignoring the wide-eyed child he carried. "Come, Severus, so that we may welcome you home properly."
Shifting Harry to his left hip. Severus followed his grandfather up the marble steps to Chateau Prince, stopping short at the threshold. His grandfather chanted in Latin as he moved his dark wand in a complex pattern, before motioning Severus to put his hand on the doorknob. Little Harry watched and leaned down to lay his hand over Severus' just as the knob flared silver. Severus felt the protective fields encompassing the Chateau enveloped him in a blanket of strong energy. The ancient magic of his ancestors prickled along his skin, assessing his worthiness and measuring his abilities, seemingly drawn to the ugly brand on his left forearm where it felt like they swarmed before vanishing.
"Tickles!" Harry's astonished voice broke the silence.
Lord Prince arched an eyebrow as he ushered them into a large foyer. Severus looked around surreptitiously at the large Prince crest worked in silver on wood so dark it was almost black, which was mounted on the light gray wall. The same dark wood gleamed under his feet and leant a warmth to the room. A broad staircase swept up to the next floor and was lit by soft gas lamps. His grandfather showed them through to a smaller sitting room near a less dramatic set of stairs.
“This is the family parlour,” he said, waving his hand at a black leather couch sitting in front of a large fireplace, matching high wingback chairs sat to one side.
On the low table in front of the couch was a tea tray, loaded with biscuits, scones, and small sandwiches. Harry’s stomach growled loudly as Severus sat on the edge of the couch, still holding the boy. Lord Prince seated himself in the wing chair closest to them and folded his hands in his lap, curiosity gleaming in his dark eyes.
“Thank you, Severus, for this chance to make our family whole once more.” He nodded his head toward Harry. “Who might this fine lad be?”
Harry’s stomach rumbled once again and Severus felt him stiffen. Carefully, he turned the child around so his back was against Severus’ chest and could see his grandfather’s eyes widen at the bruises on the boy’s face.
“This is Harry, Grandfather,” Severus said as he brushed the hair back from Harry’s face. “His mum was my very best friend for many years before she died.”
Lord Prince’s face reflected none of the emotion Severus could see in his eyes as he took in the scar on Harry’s forehead. That, added to the bruised and battered face, the stained and overlarge clothes he was wearing, along with the child’s too quiet demeanor led to an obvious conclusion of abuse and neglect.
“He has recently come into your care, then?” his grandfather asked as he leaned over the table and picked up a small plate.
“Less than ten minutes before the Portkey activated, actually,” Severus answered truthfully. “His aunt dropped him off at Arabella’s house as she and her family were leaving on holiday.”
Harry looked back and forth between the two men as Lord Prince loaded the plate with finger food and Severus retrieved the jar of Bruise Paste from Harry's left hand.
“I remember Arabella. She and your mother were as thick as thieves growing up.”
Severus nodded and ignored Harry's flinch as he began to gently spread the yellow paste around his eye and along his cheek bones. While he could see more on the child’s arms and neck, Severus recapped the jar and wiped his fingers on a serviette his grandfather handed him. He needed to examine the boy before he healed the rest of the injuries. Severus had a feeling there were other, more egregious damages inside.
“I think that’s enough for right now.”
His grandfather slid the plate in front of them. “Perhaps Harry would like to have a bit of tea.” He also slid a cup over to Harry, mostly milk and sugar, with a splash of tea. “Please, Severus, help yourself.”
Harry watched the two for a moment before slowly reaching for a piece of scone and snatching it off the plate. When no one reprimanded him, he carefully ate it, not spilling a crumble. By the third time, Harry relaxed back against him and seemed to relish each bite, his eyes taking in the room around him. He even allowed Severus to help him drink some of his tea.
“I’m assuming the young one is Lily’s child,” his grandfather said in a conversational tone. At Severus’ startled look, Prince sighed. “I did not disown your mother, no matter what you have been told. My wife was the one who told Eileen she’d been struck from the family tree, the heartless bi—woman.” Prince glanced at Harry. “Eileen was a prideful witch and hated her mother, but she still managed to send me a letter every Yule, which was the only time she would take any assistance from me.”
“Mum wrote you about Lily?” Severus nibbled on a digestive, having recently finish breakfast.
His grandfather nodded, still watching Harry, whose eyes were half closed as he gripped a finger sandwich in each hand. “She said you were enamored of the young witch and how excited you were to be in Hogwarts together. And how devastated you were when you had your falling out.”
Severus' defensive side wanted to be affronted, but he knew what his mother had written was true. His rational side was actually relieved that his grandfather knew more about his childhood than just his tyrannical father. His arm tightened around Harry as Severus leaned forward to answer his grandfather's inquiring look, when Harry gasped in pain.
Lifting the child up carefully, Severus stood and bent down to lay Harry on the couch. He could see Harry clutching at his side, his face contorted in a painful grimace. His wand was instantly in his hand and Severus was very thankful for the healing lessons he'd had to take along with his Potions mastery. A hand on his arm stopped him and Severus looked up into his grandfather's dark eyes.
"I am a fully qualified healer, Severus. Please, allow me to examine him?"
Severus nodded, returning his wand to his sleeve and knelt by Harry's head. "Harry? Grandfather is going to check on what is hurting you, all right?" He brushed the dirty hair back from the child's pale forehead.
Wary green eyes met his and gave him a tiny nod. Lord Prince began to slowly wave his wand over Harry, starting at his feet and moving upward. Harry's eyes followed the
movement of the dark brown wand, his body stiff as if braced for a blow. Rows of faint runes appeared above Harry as Severus' grandfather softly cast a deep diagnostic charm in Latin, with different parts of Harry's body glowing based on the type of injury it had sustained. Severus wasn't surprised to see several red areas showing recent untreated injuries, however, it was the blue areas indicating healed past injures and purple which indicated repeated, poorly healed injuries. A sickly green aura outlining the child's scar was particularly troubling.
Despite the purple halos around his hands, Harry didn't loosen the grip he had on the sandwiches. His eyes darted back and forth between Severus and Lord Prince, trying to keep them both in sight, continuing to hold his body stiff. Severus considered what his own mindset was at almost five, after a drunken tirade by his father.
"Harry, I know you are scared but I promise you, neither my grandfather or I will ever hit you or hurt you." Severus kept his voice low and spoke in a neutral tone. "You will always have plenty to eat, clothing that fits you, and be protected from harm."
The child met his eyes and held them for a long minute before giving Severus a slow nod.
"There's a good lad," Lord Prince told him with a smile. "Severus, could you carry young Harry into my office for me, please?"
Severus carefully lifted Harry, cradling him against his chest, and followed his grandfather down a long hallway. Focusing on not jarring Harry unduly, Severus walked rapidly by several elegantly appointed rooms, before entering into a large office and through it to a well-equipped exam room. Several large windows allowed in ample natural light, a professional examination table, and neat shelves of books, equipment, potion storage complete the space. At his grandfather's direction, Severus laid Harry on the elevated table, keeping one hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Harry," his grandfather said in a soft voice. "I need to take off your clothing so I can make you feel better. All right?"
"Will it hurt?" Harry whispered, still clinging to the now crushed sandwiches.
"Not at all! In fact, I'm going to use magic," Lord Prince said in a conspiratorial voice, flicking his wand as he spoke.
Severus held his breath as the rags Harry was wearing disappeared and Severus' heart stopped as he watched for a reaction. Harry's green eyes widened as his clothes vanished and he let out a nervous giggle. He automatically tried to cover himself with his sandwich-gripping hands, before Severus caught his wrists gently.
"I'll put your sandwiches right over here, so you can eat them when we are done, all right?"
Harry looked up at him for a moment, before allowing Severus to take the food, only to grab onto his fingers as his grandfather recast the diagnostic spell. When Harry reached down to cover his groin with his free hand, Severus drew a handkerchief from his pocket and draped it over Harry, as he urged the child to relax on the table. Looking up at Severus through his overlong fringe, Harry gave him a small smile.
"Now, young Harry, my magic is telling me that someone has been hurting you," Lord Prince told him in an even voice. "Is this true?"
Harry stiffened, gripping Severus' finger tightly, his eyes full of fear. He began to roll his head side to side, tears slipping silently down his face. Severus crouched down so his face was at the same level as Harry's and began to speak softly.
"You don't have to be afraid to tell us, Harry, because your aunt and uncle will never know."
Harry searched his face with a solemn expression. "Aunt says 'm bad and worf'less."
Severus kept his face neutral even as he silently swore an oath to take Harry himself and never let him be hurt again. "You are not bad or worthless or whatever those sad excuses for relatives called you, Harry. You are a little boy who should be able to live in a home without fear of someone hurting you or being forced to go hungry."
With his heart pounding, Severus watched the child's face, as his own paled further when he recognized the enormity of what he was about to do. Not many people defied Albus Dumbledore and most lost everything if they did.
"I promise you, Harry, you will never go back to those people, ever!" Severus watched as Harry's eyes widened, just before he reached for Severus, almost toppling them both.
"Easy now, let's not add more injuries to the ones you already have." His grandfather caught Harry and eased him back onto the table. "I, too, promise that you will never have to go back there, child. You will remain here, safe and well, where you will be cherished as all children should be."
Severus brushed Harry's fringe back. "Do you think you might want to stay here with us, Harry?"
Hope gleamed in the child's eyes as he bobbed his head in the affirmative several times. Severus freed his hands and gave Harry an awkward hug.
"I have vowed to always protect you, Harry, and I haven't done a very good job up to now. I promise you on my life and my magic, here you will be loved, valued, and allowed to grow up without fear."
Severus settled Harry back on the exam table, a bit unnerved at the silent tears that ran down the bruised cheeks. He moved back so his grandfather could work, but allowed Harry to grip his fingers again. Standing at the head of the table, an unfamiliar warmth in his chest, as he listened to Lord Prince tell Harry what he was doing, step by step, while he began casting healing magic. It wasn't long before the overwhelmed child fell asleep as his battered body relaxed.
"I am documenting every injury as well as the systemic neglect this little boy has suffered since put in his relatives care," Grandfather told him quietly, handing Severus a jar of scar removing cream. "I do admit, this is not how I envisioned your return to our family; however, I am heartened by your spontaneous actions. Those animals couldn't even trim his toenails!"
Severus unscrewed the cap and dipped his fingers into cream coloured gel, uncomfortable with the praise. "I did not think my actions through, as I don't believe the Headmaster will allow me to keep the child." He frowned as he began to smooth the potion over the palms of Harry's hands. "Even if I choose not to return to Hogwarts at the end of the summer, the Ministry won't approve my adoption of him."
His grandfather gave him an accessing look. "Allow me to finish with young Harry and then we will talk."
Severus nodded, watching Lord Prince work as he continued to hold Harry's hand.