𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 || 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 || 𝐇𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒

Chapter 5

The Hogwarts potions master was in a meeting with Tom Riddle and the Malfoys in Spinners End when an owl tapped on his window.

"I'll get it Sev," Draco said, already up and walking to the window. When he got to the window, he gasped. "Hey, Sev?" Severus hummed in response. Draco hesitated, looking back with confusion all over his face. "Why is Potter writing to you?"

Severus did a double take. "I beg your pardon?" he asked incredulously.

Draco bit his lip thoughtfully. "I said, why is Potter writing to you?" He let Potters owl in, taking the letter and feeding her a treat.

"I honestly do not know Draco. Can you bring me the letter? Thank you." He said, as the letter was passed to him. "I know this is a weird observation to make, but his handwriting is so much neater than normal. I wonder why." He mused the last bit to himself.

"Well," Tom said, "Are you going to open it? What does it say?"

Severus rolled his eyes at his husband's impatience. "Calm down love, I'm getting there." Tom grumbled and Severus smiled at him fondly.

He then opened the letter. Deciding to skim it instead of reading out loud, he got confused. He had to back track quite a bit before finally giving up and reading it aloud.

"Dear Professor Snape,

This may come as a surprise and you are probably wondering why I am writing to you. Please read the whole thing. You don't have to reply or fulfil my wishes, just read the whole letter and I will be very grateful. It will be a very long letter and I suggest you sit down with a glass of something strong. It will help – trust me."

Severus stopped and glanced at his guests. "If I were you, Severus, I would read the whole thing. There's no harm in that, is there?" Narcissa assured him. Lucius was next to her, nodding his head. "You can choose if you want to read the whole thing aloud. It is addressed to just you so we would be imposing."

"Nonsense!" Tom exclaimed. "Potter has written a letter to my husband, and I want to know what is in it. Mainly because I want a drink..." Severus sighed. "If you wanted a drink, you could just get a drink love." Tom just smiled sheepishly.

"Mipsy!" Severus called. A small pop sounded and a house elf appeared at his side to serve. "Master Severus? What would you like?" she asked in her high-pitched squeaky voice. "Can you bring us some scotch and glasses please Mipsy?" Severus replied smiling faintly at the elf. Mipsy nodded, her ears bobbing up and down as she did so. "Of course Master Severus! Anything for Master Severus!" She popped away instantly and a few moments later returned with the alcohol and glasses. "Can I do anything else for Masters?" she asked. "No Mipsy, that's all thank you." Tom replied.

Whilst Draco sorted everyone out with his or her drinks, Severus read the letter silently. His audience waited patiently for him to finish. When he finally looked up, they could see tears brimming his eyes, threatening to fall. He took in a shuddering breath. "Lucius, he-he has be-been through wha-what I-I have b-been through." He sobbed falling into his Tom's arms.

"No." whispered Lucius shaken and angry. Draco looked between the adults. "Have I missed something?"

Tom curled his hands around his love and pulled him into his lap. He gently kissed the top of his head before answering Draco. "Sev didn't have the best childhood when growing up. He was abused. He still has scars today, mentally and physically." He stopped, pulling Severus tighter onto his lap.

Draco gaped, finally deriving a conclusion. "Potter is abused??"

Severus sighed wetly before saying, "It appears so. I haven't even looked at his punishment chart yet." "Punishment chart?" Tom asked aghast. Severus hummed and handed him the letter.

He read the letter aloud to the Malfoys. "I should probably start at the beginning. The very beginning.

October 31st, my parents were killed. I was orphaned and Dumbledore ensured I was placed with my muggle relatives – Petunia and Vernon Dursley. He left a letter with a large amount of money in to ensure my 'wellbeing'. My 'wellbeing' isn't what you would have expected from the 'Chosen one'. You would've thought it was meant to pamper me, give me the best luxuries money could buy. I didn't get that. I was treated worse than a house elf. I still am."

"Oh my!" Narcissa gasped. Tom continued.

"My cousin Dudley, is an obese kid who likes to use me as a punching bag. He gets fatter everyday so he has lots of clothes left lying around because his parents buy him new ones. I get the hand me downs. Most of the time, they are too large and fall and sometimes they have stains on" He stopped suddenly. "Who on earth would treat a magical child like this?!" he asked, furious. Draco interrupted, "I noticed Potter's clothes were bigger on the train." 

"– what they are I do not know and do not ever wish to find out. For the first 10 years of my life, I didn't have a bedroom. I lived in the cupboard under the stairs – I kid you not. It was always dark and cold. There were spiders and the occasional cockroach. Being a lonely young boy, naturally I made friends with them. I haven't ever had friends when I was younger, so when I came to Hogwarts and Draco insulted Weasley I decided I didn't want to get to know him. I regret that now but I do not know how to bring it up with him. Do you have any suggestions? I just wish to mend bridges I should've crossed years ago." Tom looked over to Draco who was staring at the wall with a small smile across his face. The adults gave each other knowing looks.

"Knowing you, Professor, you are probably confused as to why I called my 'best friend' by his surname. I discovered something very interesting before the holidays. I am not sure if you are aware of where the Weasels and the Muggleborn's loyalties lie, but know for sure that they aren't with me. They never were. They lie with fame, money and Dumbledore. I know you are a spy, and I'm pretty sure it is for Riddle not Dumbledore. How on earth did you manage to convince the old coot you were on his side? I congratulate you; it must have been challenging." Severus grumbled, "That boy is way too observant" Lucius snickered.

"Yes, he is. But I suspect it was a survival instinct." Draco said sadly. The adults immediately sobered up before listening to Tom finishing the letter.

"I wish to discuss what I found in person, if that's okay. I have put too much in my letter and if someone were to intercept they would most likely go to Dumbledore. I have one more thing to tell you before I wrap up, though. Going back to my 'wellbeing' and my treatment worse than a house elf I wish to inform you of one more thing. If you couldn't tell by now, I am abused. They call me Freak and Boy. I didn't know my real name till my Hogwarts letter. But it isn't just verbal. The physical abuse is serious. I will send a copy of my 'punishment chart' and the 'punishments' I have before I return. I don't think I will be able to get to Hogwarts in time and I suspect I will be unconscious for a day or two. Could you create a portkey for me? Please? It could just ditch me into the Infirmary at school so Poppy can treat me. If it is alright with you, of course, could you make it so that it activates itself after 2 days or something? It would be much appreciated if you can conform with my request.

Thank you, for taking the time to read this letter. Like I said at the beginning, you don't have to reply or fulfil my wishes.

Harry J Potter."

Narcissa stood up suddenly. "Where does he live?" she demanded. Tom turned over the envelope to find the sender address. "No. 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey" he responded. "I'm getting him now, before those filthy muggles touch him." An argument broke out between the adults who were trying to calm Narcissa down and make sure she doesn't kill anybody.

They didn't notice Draco picking up the pieces of paper that slipped out. They didn't notice him starting to cry as he read the cards slowly. They did notice, however, when he yelled and his magic lost control. Once he got himself under control, he spoke. "School starts in 2 days, Mother. We're too late." Were the dreaded words that fell out of his mouth.