Potions and Snitches :: Snape and Harry Gen Fanfiction Archive

Summary: When the Weasleys letters to Harry continued unreplied Dumbledore sends Snape and two others to check on Harry. What they find shocks and revolts them. Harry hasn't had a proper meal in weeks and is literally skin and bones.

Must Haves:

Snape must be one of the group sent to check up on Potter though reluctant, the group must also include either Tonks, Kingsley, or Moody in case the Dursleys being a problem, and a third person whom the writer can pick, if the writer wants to expand the group it is up to him or her but Snape must have at least two other people with him
Must Take place prior to the chamber of secrets. The challenge was originally written for the summer before second year but can be modified to where Dumbledore is sending the group to find out why Harry hasn't replied to his Hogwarts letter yet
For second year the rescue must take place after the Masons' visit, whether or not Dobby still came or had any influence outside of the Masons' visit is up to the writer. First year the boa constrictor incident must have had some factor in his condition
Harry must be taken to St. Mungos this kind of condition should be over Pomfrey's level of healing
A period of time where he is put into a healing sleep for the first part of his stay there, this can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks
Dream encounter with his parents during the time he is in the sleep
Custody given to either Snape or the non-Auror extra member or dual custody of Harry to both of them
Dursleys arrested and put on a public trial much to Harry and Snape's chagrin are charged with child abuse, child endangerment, neglect, and attempted murder
Harry seeing Ron and Hermione at least once after he is rescued. If this is prior to first year think of something there are more than one reason for Ron and Hermione to be at St. Mungos ex: physical, shots, volunteer work (more Hermione on this one) etc.
Scabbers is discovered as Pettigrew thanks to a fore mentioned dream leading to the realization of Siruis's innocence and freedom. How this affects Harry's relationship with Snape and the guardianship status is up to the writer
Harry must start the year late on Healer's instructions.
Harry being able to fly. How does the fact he's now nothing but skin and bones affect the Quidditch season? Is he banned from flying and games until he's up to a certain weight? Or in the case of first year does he ever truly discover his natural born talent for flying?
An effect of some sort on Harry's DADA treatment. Whether be it Lockhart idiotically trying to relate to Harry or the scar pain being more prominent in Quirrel's lessons, etc. There must be some sort of change even if somewhat minor to Harry and his DADA lessons.

Optional:

Snape having to take Draco to one of his visits with Harry. If this takes place prior to second year it is up to the author whether or not this starts changing their views of each other. For first year stories this might be a way of having Harry get his first wizarding friend. The later could affect things down the road dramatically including what house he ends up in and who his friends are.
The group encountering either Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, or Dudley when retrieving Harry or all three of them
A belated birthday party for Harry, who is invited depends on the timeline and whether or not Draco is brought along by Snape to visit Harry
Dobby having an unintentional hand in Harry's condition, due to his whole 'Have to protect Harry Potter' thing
Draco befriending Harry. If this happens how does this affect the Malfoy family particularly Lucius? Even better how does this affect their relationships with their current friends and housemates? How does this affect house unity?
Luna or Neville or both meeting Harry while he's at St. Mungos. In second year Luna could always come along with Ginny. Neville could be visiting his parents but decided he needed some time away and finds Harry.

Do Not Want:

Ron bashing. Please refrain from making him to a git or jerk. The boy maybe stupid and jealous at times but he really does care for Harry so please refrain from making him seem uncaring.
Overplay of romance. Really do not want to see copious amounts of romance in the story. First of all Harry's a kid shouldn't be looking for something like that for another year or so. With the older characters it's fine to have some romance but try not to overdo it please. What type of pairings they are is up to the author.
Auto recovery. Harry cannot go from a scared and abused to a normal kid in matter of a couple of days. This is not how the real world works. Abuse on this level takes a while to repair both physically and mentally and I do not want Harry to be reacting like a normal kid would for at least a few months after the rescue. They don't have to be huge signs. But just make sure that he has reactions you would actually expect of an abused child (examples: unworthiness feelings, protectiveness of possessions, more sensitive to comments (a big one when the COS is opened), etc.

How the rest plays out is completely up to the writer.