Broken

Chapter 2

Lucius was furious as he guided his son and Harry towards the headmaster's office.

Harry was quiet as they went, looking quite miserable and scared out of his mind, but he clung to Lucius' hand like a lifeline. To Harry, this man who he had never met before was the first adult in his life willing to help him. He was not about to let him go.

"Harry, I promise you I am going to try everything to make this all right. All I am going to do is tell the headmaster what has been happening to you." He stops at the gargoyle but refrains from saying the password when Harry tightens his grip on the man's hand.

"He won't help. He never does.." Draco frowns at those words and tilts his head, but it is Lucius who spoke. "What do you mean by that? Have you gone to him before, Harry?"

"After the Philosopher's Stone incident.. I.. asked for help, but he just told me not to be dr-dramatic. He said it was just one big misunderstanding, and they would never hurt me like that. It's my house and they were my family." If it was even possible, the poor boy looked more miserable. Lucius goes to one knee, laying a hand on the boy's cheek.

"Did you ever show him the marks left from the physical attacks?" At his nod, the elder Malfoy grows furious but tries not to show it.

Harry wipes at his nose with the sleeve of his robes, stopping when Lucius motions to the hankerchief he had given him before. "I showed him the ones I had before school, and he didn't help me then either.." Lucius narrows his eyes at that but files it away for later before standing up.

"Well then. We will rethink this situation. I know of an adult in this school who will most definitely help you."

Minerva McGonagall would be there for the boy even if she had to walk through the headmaster to do so.

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The look of rage on the usually calm woman was all Lucius needed to see.

She clearly had no idea what had been happening in her own house. "In the aftermath of this horrible situation, I would like to take Harry and Draco home for this last week. It would not do to have Harry stay and be traumatized further than he already has been. Being among the students who have done the tormenting would be detrimental to the child's healing."

McGonagall sighs, sitting down at her desk, steepling her fingers together. "If he leaves school grounds, he has to go back to his family. They are his legal guardians, after all."

Harry shoots to his feet, crying out, "No! Please don't make me go back to them! Please!" Everyone, including Harry himself, was surprised at his outburst. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell." He sits back down and keeps his eyes down, taking ahold of Lucius' arm.

The Professor frowns and leans against the desk, trying to catch the boy's gaze. "Harry? Why do you not want to go back? They are your family, and they probably miss you terribly. You have been gone for quite some time now."
 
Harry feels the familiar prickle of tears as he speaks in a small voice. "They only miss making me do everything for them. And getting mad at me when I can't finish it all. They hate me! They never wanted me." He angrily rubs at his eyes, trying his best not to start crying. "They only keep me around so I can do the cooking and cleaning. I'm nothing but a.. a.." He whimpers and grips at his chest. "I'm just a servant for them.."

Lucius was just barely able to control his anger from showing, but he turned to face the shocked professor while snaking an arm around Harry, holding the boy close to his side. "Professor McGonagall, I will take responsibility for him. My home is open for him, and I am sure Narcissa would care for him, and having my son there would be an opportunity to grow past this rivalry they have."