His Secret

LEAVE ME ALONE

Snape looked into Harry's eyes. He had had many abused students to deal with, none as bad as this however. When he looked in each of their eyes he usually saw the same things, sadness, fear, pain and resignation, but looking into Harry's emerald orbs, he did not see any of these things, what he saw was, determination, it was the look Lily had so often had in her eyes. Snape couldn't help but be a little pleased the boy had some fight left in him. Dumbledore would surely leave it to him to help Potter to deal with this abuse, and it would be so much easier to help a boy with some courage.

“Lupin and I shall go down to the kitchens as we are not of any help here, and Harry, no we shall not breathe a word of what we have seen to anybody.” Dumbledore said, and with that he and Lupin left the room.

“Po-Harry, how long has this been going on?” Snape began, he always asked these questions to any student who came to him.

“Why did you call me Harry, I'm Potter to you and I always will be.” Harry growled.

“Because I am here to help you Harry, I know what you are dealing with.”

“I don't need your help, I'm fine by myself thanks.” Harry replied, his voice cold.

“Harry, in your mind you have formed a mental barrier, it will be weak and easy to penetrate although you may think you have control now when that barrier falls you need to know how to cope. In his mind however he was thinking, why this student? Helping students deal with abuse he could do, but helping Prince Potter?

“Why do you want to help me?” Harry asked, his voice no longer cool. Maybe, just maybe, he would allow Snape to help him.

“Harry, as I have said, I understand the pain you are feeling, and I pity you.” Severus tried, but realised it was the wrong thing to say when Harry exploded,

“PITY ME! I DON'T WANT PITY I WANT TO BE NORMAL, SO WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GET THE MERLIN OUT OF MY LIFE AND LEAVE ME ALONE! I DO NOT NEED PITY, I AM NOT WEAK!” Harry panted slightly, trying to get his breath back after his tirade. Snape also took a deep breath, this was Lily's son, he had be abused, you need to help him. Snape was just about to try and reason with the Potter brat, no, Harry, but Sirius interrupted,

“Snivellus, why don't you just take your over large nose and greasy hair and get out of here? I can deal with this.” Snape looked at Sirius in disgust before storming out of the room.

“Sirius, why is this happening to me? I was fine, now everybody's sticking there noses where they don't belong. I WANT PEOPLE TO LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“Harry, calm down, take deep breaths, that's it. Now put your shirt back on, good boy. I need to explain something to you.” Harry stood there, quiet and ashamed as Sirius began,

“When I left home, as you know I went to your dad's place, but they found out my secret as I have now found out yours. The day before I had left home and many times before that I had been beaten. The Potters helped me in every way they could think of, but they did not help me until I accepted their help. Always they made sure I knew they were there for me, that as soon as I was ready to talk they were there to listen, and it was not until three months after I arrived I accepted. From then on my life only got better, yes there were times I hated reliving the pain, but it helped. So all I want you to know, Harry, is that I'm here for you.” Harry looked at Sirius before nodding and heading out of the closed door, but to his surprise, Sirius did not stop him from leaving him, he just let him go.

****************HP***********(The Next Day)******************HP*****************

Ron came sprinting into the kitchen where Sirius was absent-mindedly flicking through the Daily Prophet, Sirius looked up at him.

“What's the matter?” he asked.

“It's Harry, he's gone.” Ron panted.