Hostile Takeover

Chapter 6

He spent the rest of the night in the Room of Requirement. It appeared to him as a cosy little bedroom, complete with a fluffy armchair and fireplace. He was currently in the armchair with his legs pulled up, crying his eyes out. Tissues kept appearing on the small side table next to him-he was sure he'd have gone through two normal boxes if it hadn't kept replenishing itself.

Finally, he felt calm enough to tell Tom everything. Tom didn't react the way he had expected. Instead of flying teacups, the man simply opened his arms and offered Harry a hug. It was so unexpected, Harry didn't even think of denying it, he simply let himself be held and cried until he couldn't anymore.

When he'd finally calmed down, Tom spoke.

"Harry, you need to tell someone there."

"No, I can't. Dumbledore knew, he had to have known. He won't do anything."

"You're right about that, he likely did know and he likely wouldn't do anything about it even if you did tell him bluntly. However, there are others that can help you. Madame Pomfrey-"

"Knows her place and wouldn't interfere. She's made it perfectly clear she won't interfere in the matters of students, she's only there to heal them and make sure they don't leave the hospital wing until she says they can." Tom was quiet after that, clearly thinking about what to say next.

"What about Severus?"

"What about him?" Harry blew his nose and wiped at his eyes. Frankly, he was surprised that he wasn't completely out of tears yet.

"Why not tell him? McGonagall has made it clear she will stand behind any decision the headmaster makes, the headmaster himself has made his intentions on staying out of it clear, you aren't particularly close to any of the other teachers and didn't you say that Severus has protected you since you returned to the wizarding world?"

"Yeah but he hates me."

"I would not go so far as to say he hates you. I think he hates that your return to the wizarding world has stirred up old conflicts that he was such a central part of for so long. I think he sees you and wishes for the peace that he had prior to your return to this world. Of course, I could be wrong, but if he's the only professor to ever truly protect you then he might be the right choice for this."

"And what am I to tell him, huh? That the slimy potions professor that's taken his old position has molested me? He's going to think I'm lying!" Harry was getting more and more upset the more he thought about it, but Tom's next response stopped him short of hyperventilating.

"I think that it's worth a try. He might be a bit more understanding than you know." It was the gentle tone in Tom's voice that convinced him. He stood, blew his nose, wiped the tears off his face and headed towards Professor Snape's office.

Before he knew what was happening, he was knocking on the door. Almost instantly, the door flew open to reveal a very irate looking Snape.

"What? What could you possibly want at this hour-"

"May I come in, Professor?" Harry was ashamed to hear his voice crack when he used Snape's title, but it got him to stop in his tirade and step to the side. He sat down in the chair offered to him and couldn't help but to keep himself huddled up with his back hunched, his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, he could practically feel the heat coming off his skin from irritation caused by the crying he'd done.

"Professor, I need your help."

"I no longer teach potions and cannot offer you any assistance with the subj-"