A letter from the past by Swamygliders

My dearest Harry,

As I sit here watching you sleep peacefully in your crib, I can hardly believe that you will be reading this letter in the future.

Today marks a special day, my love, your eleventh birthday. And as a wizarding child, it is a day that will forever hold a special place in your heart.

I know that your father and I are no longer with you, and that you are now in the care of my sister, Petunia. She may not understand or appreciate the magical world you are about to enter, but I am writing this letter to share everything with you that she may not have told you.

Please always remember that your father and I love you deeply and will always be with you in your heart, even when we are not physically present. In the darkest moments, know that our love will be a guiding light for you.

You will soon learn about a prophecy that is said to involve you. I want you to know that it is simply a prediction of what may happen, and it is not set in stone. Please try to stay out of trouble and always listen to your professors while at school.

If fate allows it, you may come across a friend of mine who has become a professor of potions at Hogwarts. His name is Severus Snape and if you ever need help, don't hesitate to seek him out.

I must end this letter now, as you are starting to stir in your crib. Just remember, my darling boy, that your father and I love you more than anything in this world.

Love always, Mom

P.S Don't forget to eat your vegetables!

Harry set aside the letter, brushing away the tears that had formed in his eyes with the back of his hand. He then reread the letter, sighing deeply. The thought of what his life might have been like if his parents had survived was beyond comprehension. With a heavy heart, Harry gently folded the letter and tucked it away inside a book, ensuring its safekeeping from prying eyes, especially from those of his relatives.

The letter had seemed to materialize out of thin air, landing softly in Harry's lap. It was almost like magic, and as he read through his mother's message, he couldn't help but believe that it was. There was no other explanation for how it could have appeared so suddenly in his cupboard beneath the stairs.

Harry secured the book and then reclined, placing his hands behind his head. His gaze fixated on a spider as it wove its intricate web under one of the stairs. A seed of doubt began to take root in his mind, causing him to wonder if this was all just a cruel joke orchestrated by his relatives. Could it be possible that he was meant to be rescued by wizards, only to find out that it was all a false hope and that he was doomed to a life of misery in this cupboard? As much as he wanted to believe that he was a wizard, the reality of his situation seemed to suggest otherwise. He couldn't help but feel that he was destined to spend the rest of his life here, in this place of solitude and despair.

Harry shifted slightly to alleviate some of the pain from one of his bruises, a reminder of his failure to dodge a flying frying pan. That had been a painful experience, but it paled in comparison to the horrors that had unfolded later that night. He tried to shake off the unpleasant thoughts and refocus his attention on the letter, imagining what his parents must have been like. Was his mother really as loving and compassionate as her words depicted her to be? These were the things that he longed to know, and the letter was the only connection he had to the parents he never got the chance to meet.

It was a while before the door to his cupboard was roughly yanked open, and a meaty hand reached in to drag him out by the collar. Harry braced himself for the worst, wondering what he had done or not done this time to incur the wrath of his guardians.

Harry recoiled as he saw his uncle's face turn bright red with rage. "What is the meaning of all these letters, BOY!?"

The young boy shook his head in bewilderment, "What letters?"

"You don't know?" his uncle barked, advancing towards Harry. "Explain yourself! How can you not know about these damned letters?"

Harry felt a knot form in his stomach. He frantically searched for an explanation, his eyes falling on the pile of letters by the door. He noticed his name on one of them and stammered, "I-I don't know how they got here. I haven't seen them before now."

"Your name is all over it, BOY! You better tell whoever is behind this to stop, or you'll live to regret it! Now, get back in that cupboard, and stay there!"

Harry was pushed into his tiny room with a jolt, and he was left to ponder about the strange events that were unfolding around him. He couldn't comprehend who could be sending those letters, and he wished they would cease. Could they be from his deceased parents? The thought was both frightening and exhilarating. He couldn't grasp how it was even possible. The sound of his Uncle's footsteps grew distant as the man locked the door from the outside, leaving Harry trapped until morning.

As Harry adjusted himself, the ache from the bruises reminded him of the rough treatment he had received. He couldn't help but sigh as he rubbed the tender spots. He often wondered why he was subjected to such mistreatment. Despite the pain, he tried to make himself comfortable, but the events of the day continued to weigh heavy on his mind.

However, Harry was determined not to dwell on the negative and instead tried to push the thoughts to the back of his mind. He shifted onto his side, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. As he drifted off, his mind turned to more hopeful musings. He dreamed of escape, of finally breaking free from the oppressive life he was currently living and finding a brighter future.

he next time Harry woke, he was abruptly yanked out of his cupboard by his Aunt. This wasn't uncommon - every morning, she would drag him out of his makeshift room and into the kitchen. However, this time, she didn't give him a chance to even fully awaken before roughly pulling him out. Her brisk movements indicated that she was upset about something, but Harry had no idea what could have caused her anger.

Harry trudged into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast for his aunt, uncle, and cousin. They would enjoy a full English breakfast, while he would only be allowed a cup of tea. More often than not, there were no leftovers for him to eat. As he worked, he couldn't help but wonder what tasks his uncle had in store for him that day. During the summer months, Harry was given an overwhelming list of chores that were nearly impossible to complete within the designated time frame. The result was always the same - punishment and an early bedtime, only to repeat the same cycle the next day. Summer was a dread for Harry, a never-ending cycle of little food, hard work and abuse.

Just as Harry had anticipated, he was given very little food to eat. His cousin had left him only a slice of tomato and a handful of mushrooms, because he didn't feel like eating anything nutritious that day. Despite the meager portion, Harry was grateful for the sustenance, happy to have anything to fill his empty stomach.

His uncle then handed him a list of chores and as a reminder to not misbehave, he delivered a sharp blow to Harry's ear. Dazed, Harry rubbed his sore ear and set about completing the tasks. First, he washed the dishes, then went outside to mow the lawn while the weather was still cool.

The remainder of August followed the same pattern. Mysterious letters continued to arrive, and Harry was punished and given a huge amount of work to complete while he was still hurting from the previous day's abuse. On August 31st, the situation reached its breaking point for Harry. A flood of letters poured in through the mail slot and chimney. Before Harry could even lay his hands on one, his uncle had burned them all and proceeded to beat him mercilessly. The punishment left Harry bruised and bloody.

The abuse had gotten so severe that Harry was certain his ankle was broken. His aunt, who had never shown any concern for his well-being before, even provided him with a mild pain medication. Harry guessed that she couldn't tolerate his pained cries whenever he accidentally moved the wrong way while he was locked away in the cupboard under the stairs.

The next day, the mysterious letters suddenly stopped appearing. He couldn't figure out what had happened, but his uncle appeared to be quite pleased about the change in circumstances. Harry felt discouraged, assuming that whoever was trying to reach him had given up. His mood plummeted to a new low.

That evening, Harry lay in his cupboard, tears streaming down his face as he mourned his wounds and feeling of abandonment. No one was coming to save him and he heard his Aunt talking earlier that they had even decided to keep him from going to school the following year. Harry was trapped and had no options. The thought of attempting to escape during his next yard work crossed his mind, but he had nowhere to go. Eventually, his emotions subsided, and exhaustion took over, allowing Harry to fall into a fitful sleep.

Harry was suddenly awoken by the piercing sound of screams coming from the living room in the early hours of the morning. The darkness outside made it impossible for him to determine the time. As he prepared himself for the worst, he feared another round of physical abuse from his uncle. His body was already battered and bruised, unable to endure another beating. However, when the door to his cupboard was thrown open, he was not met with violence, but instead, he felt a presence kneel beside him and a comforting touch on his back. A gentle voice spoke words of comfort in his ear, though Harry was too far gone to understand.

The hand continued to provide comfort, rubbing circles into Harry's back and speaking softly into his ear. Harry gradually relaxed, allowing himself to believe the voice that assured him he was safe and okay. He longed to believe that he was being rescued, but he couldn't imagine who would know of his situation. After all, the letter writer had seemed to have forgotten all about him.

As Harry's mind started to calm, his focus shifted to the voice speaking to him. It was a man's voice, softly whispering reassuring phrases like "You're alright" and "I've got you now." Despite not fully understanding the words, the soothing tone was enough to bring a sense of comfort to Harry. No one, besides the nurse at school, had ever shown such kindness towards him before. This thought sparked a deep longing within Harry, making his heart ache with hope. Could this man be here to save him? Was this what it was like having someone who cared about you?

Harry mustered up the courage to open his eyes and take a look at the man who was rubbing his back. He was taken aback by the stranger's appearance; with long dark hair that reached his shoulders and an all-black outfit consisting of a suit and a robe, the man exuded a foreboding aura. Despite this, Harry couldn't ignore the kindness that the man was showing him. He mustered up the courage he had to ask, "Who are you?"

"I am Professor Snape, and I teach at Hogwarts. I came here because you didn't respond to your letter inviting you to attend school, and I was sent to fetch you. Can you tell me why you're in this cupboard?" Severus had deduced from his surroundings that this was the boy's room, but he still wanted to hear the explanation directly from him.

Harry hung his head, ashamed. He took a deep breath and spoke, "This is my room. I am burden and don't deserve a real room."

Severus was boiling with anger, grateful that he had stuck Petunia and her overweight husband to the ceiling so he could find Harry. He had heard that kind of talk before from some of his Slytherins. He was sure it had been drilled into the boy's mind. Petunia was never kind, but he never imagined she would treat a child with such cruelty.

Without revealing his emotions, Severus stood up and helped Harry out of his cramped space. He looked sternly at the boy and declared, "I'm taking you away from this place. This is not a suitable environment for a wizarding child or any child for that matter."

Severus then fixed his gaze on Petunia and her husband, who were still hanging from the ceiling, silenced by his spell. He aimed his wand at them, ready to cast the next incantation. "Someone will be coming to deal with you. If it were up to me, you would be sent to Azkaban and given the the dementors kiss." He then cast a mild, stinging hex on them, causing them to feel a bit of discomfort, but not enough to leave any permanent marks. They were lucky that was all he did.

He then turned to Harry, who was standing beside him. "Take only what is most important to you and leave everything else behind. You will not be returning to this place, I can promise you that."

Harry nodded and turned to pick up the book with the letter, a few broken toy soldiers, and an old, worn blue blanket that he had apparently cherished for a long time. As he prepared to follow Severus and leave the place, Harry glanced upstairs. "What will happen to my cousin?" he asked.

Severus appreciated the boy's concern, despite the fact that this family had never shown him any kindness. "Don't worry, someone will arrange for him to be taken care of," he replied.

Harry still looked worried. "But where are we going? Can't Dudley come with us?"

Severus sighed. He was eager to get out of there and bring the boy to the Hospital Wing for a check-up. "We're going to Hogwarts, Harry. You're a wizard, and you need to learn how to control your magic. Your cousin is not a wizard, so he can't come with us. But I'll show you how to owl people so you can write to him."

With a reassuring grip, Severus led Harry out of the house and down the street, where he noticed the boy limping heavily. Sensing the boy's difficulty, Severus slowed his pace so Harry could keep up. They turned the corner and arrived at a secluded spot behind a tree.

"Hold on tight to my hand, Harry," Severus instructed. "We're going to use a portkey to get to the school. It's a magical device that will transport us directly to our destination."

Harry reluctantly followed the man's guidance, holding on to his hand tightly. Despite the throbbing pain in his foot, he remained quiet, not wanting to cause any issues. This was his opportunity for a fresh start, and he was not going to let anything jeopardize it. He tightly closed his eyes as they felt a sudden, peculiar sensation of movement. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a strange new world, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds. Suddenly, he felt his stomach churning, and he found himself on the ground, it's small amount of contents gone, with Severus kneeling beside him, trying to comfort him with gentle, circular motions on his back.

The calming words had a soothing effect on Harry, but he was unsure if he could stand up. His ankle was in a lot of pain, making it difficult for him to put weight on it. With his eyes tightly closed, Harry leaned into the comforting body of the man who was knelt behind him.

Severus spoke to Harry in a gentle tone, "Do you think you can stand, Harry? We only have a short distance left to travel."

Feeling the pain in his foot, Harry was hesitant to say anything but ultimately shook his head, reluctant to admit his weakness.

Severus frowned but nodded, sensing that Harry was at his limit. To ensure that no rule breaking students would see his uncharacteristic act of kindness, he cast a notice me not spell around them. He couldn't risk ruining his reputation as a strict professor. "It's alright," he said comfortingly. "I will carry you."

The man carefully picked the child up in his arms and began to make his way to the castle gates. He swiftly carried the child to the hospital wing.

Upon arrival, he shouted for Poppy and tenderly placed Harry on a nearby bed. "Stay here for a moment," he said. "I'm going to fetch the school nurse and will return shortly."

Harry nodded and watched as the man entered an office-like room. He was relieved to have arrived at what appeared to be a small hospital. He gazed at his worn-out shoes and sighed deeply. The past few hours had been a whirlwind of events. He figured that the letter he received must have indeed been from his mother. He quickly retrieved the letter from the book and scanned it, searching for the name of the person he was supposed to meet. That's when he saw it: Severus Snape. Could this man he just met be the same person?

Harry looked up as the man returned to the room with a nurse by his side. They approached Harry as he hid the letter away again, with the nurse wearing a friendly smile and the Professor wearing a scowl.

The nurse was the first to speak. "Hello, Harry. I'm Madam Pomfrey. Professor Snape here says that you've been limping and might have hurt yourself. Can you tell me where it hurts?"

Harry nodded silently and lifted his pant leg to reveal his swollen ankle, which was tightly constrained by his shoe. Madam Pomfrey bent down to examine it and noticed some bruising on his lower leg, but decided to focus on his ankle first. She gently prodded it and then looked up at Harry. "Would you mind if I take off your shoe?"

Harry shook his head, and Madam Pomfrey carefully untied the shoe and removed it, trying to cause as little pain as possible. She then rolled down the worn-out sock to reveal a badly broken and swollen ankle that looked extremely painful.

Concealing her worry, Poppy put a cheerful expression on her face and looked at Harry. "Let's get started. I need to get some potions and salves to treat your injury. In the meantime, would you mind if Professor Snape helps you into a hospital gown? It'll be more comfortable while I treat you."

Harry nodded slightly, wondering if the nurse had noticed the other bruises on his body and realized he had suffered injuries elsewhere. Nurses had a way of being intuitive like that. Before he knew it, Poppy had left the room and Professor Snape had drawn the curtain around the hospital bed, enclosing Harry and himself.

The man held the hospital gown in his hand and looked down at Harry with a gruff but gentle expression. Harry was starting to understand that this was the man's way of trying not to look too intimidating.

In a soft voice, Severus approached Harry and inquired if he needed help putting his belongings on the bedside table and then removing his shirt. Harry placed his items on the table, but looked down and Severus stepped forward, offering the hospital gown. He assisted Harry in taking off his shirt and carefully placed the gown over him, securing it at the back. The sight of Harry's bruises and injuries scattered all over his body made it difficult for Severus to maintain his composure. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He didn't want to scare or alarm him in any way.

Severus felt a white-hot anger boil within him at the thought of someone mistreating a child. The idea of Harry's relatives being stuck to the ceiling brought a small satisfaction, but he knew that eventually he would have to intervene and set them free. He was determined to confront Albus about this and let him know the full extent of what had happened to Harry. If the old wizard was lucky, he wouldn't find himself on the receiving end of Severus' fist.

Severus suppressed his anger and focused on the task at hand. "Do you need assistance with removing your pants and sock?" Harry looked away, unsure of what to do. Without a second thought, Severus pointed his wand and Harry's pants disappearing them, leaving him in just the hospital gown, his shorts and one sock. Gently, the man bent over and removed the remaining sock as well.

"All done," he said with what Harry thought looked like his version of a smile. "That wasn't too difficult, was it?"

Harry shook his head, expressing his thanks. "Thank you."

On the other side of the curtain, Poppy had collected the necessary supplies and called out to see if they were ready for her. Severus acknowledged her, pulling back the curtain to let her in. When she approached the bedside and set down her armful of supplies, Severus looked at Harry and asked if he would like him to stay or give them some privacy.

Harry glanced at the nurse and then back at Severus. "Would you mind staying?"

The man nodded and walked over to the visitor's chair on the other side of the bed. He sat down and helped adjust Harry's position so he was fully sitting on the bed and no longer hanging off the edge. He took Harry's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I won't go anywhere."

Severus dreaded his visits to the hospital wing. He was accustomed to assisting Poppy with his snakes, but this boy was a future Gryffindor, even though he had yet to be sorted. This was also the first time that he had rescued the boy from his abusive relatives.

Poppy efficiently set up the potions and positioned herself at the bedside, placing a pillow under the boy's foot. She then cast a diagnostic spell over his foot, sighing at the results. "When did you hurt your ankle, Harry? And do you remember how?"

The boy looked away and shrugged. "I think it was a few weeks ago."

Poppy nodded, her expression serious. "It looks like your tibia and talus are badly broken. I'll need to vanish the bones and regrow them for a proper healing. Can I also perform a full deep diagnostic on you, Harry? I want to make sure you're fully healed."

Harry unconsciously tightened his grip on the Professor's hand and reluctantly nodded. He didn't want to admit it, but he was feeling very scared. No one, not even his school nurse, had fully understood everything he had endured. Although she had suspected, she had never truly known and the thought of someone knowing of it was frightening.

Severus noticed the fear in Harry's eyes and squeezed his hand a little tighter. "It's all right, Harry. Madam Pomfrey is here to help you, she just wants to make sure you're healed properly."

Poppy cast a deep diagnostic spell, scanning Harry's entire body. Her expression grew increasingly serious as she observed the results. "Oh, my," she stifled a whisper. "Harry, it looks like you've got a few old broken bones that have never been properly healed and other more recent wounds. I'm going to have to clean and heal all of these."

Harry nodded, feeling overwhelmed and scared. He looked at Severus, seeking comfort from the Professor's presence. He had been so kind so far, unlike anyone else in his life. "It's going to be all right, Harry," Severus reassured him. "Madam Pomfrey is going to make sure you're healed, and you'll feel much better once she's done."

Poppy turned to Harry and gave him a reassuring smile. "To make the healing process less painful, I'm going to give you a potion that will make you sleepy, it is called dreamless sleep. This will allow your body to focus all its energy on healing, without you having to feel any of the pain. Do you understand, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, looking confused. "It's a potion? Dreamless sleep?"

"It's a potion, a kind of medicine, that will make you fall into a deep sleep, without any dreams or nightmares," Poppy explained. "While you're asleep, your body will be able to heal much faster and with less pain. And you'll wake up feeling much better."

Harry looked at Severus, who nodded in agreement. "It's perfectly safe, Harry. Madam Pomfrey knows what she's doing, and I'll be here the whole time to make sure you're all right."

With a deep breath, Harry finally nodded, allowing Poppy to give him the dreamless sleep potion. In no time, he was in a deep and peaceful slumber, his breathing slow and steady.

Severus tenderly placed Harry's hand back on the bed and then put his head in his hands, letting out a sigh as he did so. He felt like he was on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster, unable to comprehend the suffering that Harry had endured. Poppy, noticing her colleague's distress, approached him and placed a comforting hand on his back. She knew that Harry would be sleeping for a while and saw this as an opportunity to offer Severus some comfort.

A few moments passed before Severus gently brushed Poppy's hand away and sat upright once more. He nodded gratefully to the nurse, then watched as she got to work, spelling potions into Harry's stomach and applying balms to his bruises to help speed up the healing process.

After Harry had been tucked into bed and received as much care as possible for the moment, with his bones still needing time to regrow, Severus gently brushed the hair away from Harry's face and stood up from his chair. Turning away from Poppy, he let out a sigh, still gazing at the young boy lying in the bed. "I must inform Albus of everything that has transpired," he said.

The nurse simply nodded and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Remember, Severus, I am here for you if you need me. If you ever want to talk," she said, repeating the same offer she had made countless times before. Although she knew that he had experienced more than most people, he had yet to confide in her. She hoped that one day he would find someone to talk to and unburden himself.

Severus ignored the nurse's offer and remained focused on Harry. "He's so small," he muttered. "I expected him to arrive at Hogwarts full of himself, just like his father. But when I found him in that cupboard, it reminded me that he's just a child. Lily's child. What would she say if she were here?"

He paused for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. "I cannot imagine," he finally whispered. "Probably words that couldn't be repeated in front of others, but I do know that she would have wanted me to protect him, no matter the cost." He let out a sigh, shook off the nurses hand, and then massaged his temples, feeling the stress of the past few hours starting to take its toll on him.

Just then, a gust of wind swept through the room, causing Harry's book to fall off the bedside table. A letter spilled out and landed just beneath the bed. Severus bent down to retrieve it and froze as he recognized the handwriting on the envelope.

"Lily," he whispered, his voice filled with both surprise and sadness. He carefully picked up the letter, feeling a sense of both dread and excitement as he wondered what it could contain. He stood there for a moment, clutching the letter in his hands, before finally making the decision to open it, disregarding the fact that he was invading Harry's privacy.

Poppy peered over his shoulder as he read the letter and then noticed that he had become still, as if frozen in place. His face was unreadable as he carefully refolded the letter and placed it back into the envelope. He then put it back into the book and returned the book to its place on the bedside table. The man was filled with confusion. Where did that gust of wind come from? How did Harry come into possession of the letter from Lily? And why did she instruct her son to seek out Severus after so many years of estrangement?

Poppy watched as Severus continued to stand there in silence, but then she again rested her hand on his shoulder to try to bring him back to the present. "Severus, you alright there?"

The man nodded and again shook her hand off of him. He was not a touchy feely person and he wished she would keep her hands to herself even though a small part of his did in fact appreciate the contact. With one last look at the boy in the bed Severus then turned and started walking to the door. "I need to speak with Albus."

The nurse watched as the man walked through the door and let out a sigh of her own. What a complex man, she spent more time worrying about him than anyone else in the castle.

She knew that there was so much more to Severus Snape than what met the eye.

Despite his cold demeanor and sharp tongue, she could see the deep pain and hurt that he carried within him. She also knew that he had a soft spot for Lily, Harry's mother, and it was clear to her that the letter he had just read had affected him deeply. Poppy didn't know what had transpired between Severus and Lily all those years ago, but she could see the internal struggle that he was going through.

With a heavy heart, she returned to her duties, determined to keep a close eye on Harry and support him in any way she could. She had a feeling that it was going to be a long and difficult road for all of them, but she was ready for the challenge.

Severus stood before the entrance to the Headmaster's office, a look of annoyance etched upon his face as he gazed at the gargoyle guarding the staircase. He muttered the password, "Lemon Drops," under his breath, and with a grudging movement, the statue stepped aside, revealing the steps leading up to the office.

With a flick of his wrist, Severus billowed his black robes behind him and began making his way up the staircase. His expression was grim, betraying the urgency of his mission. Despite his reluctance, he knew that he had to have this conversation with Albus Dumbledore. He didn't want to have it with anyone, but he was determined to see this through. With a heavy sigh, Severus pushed open the door at the top of the stairs, bracing himself for what was to come.

With a warm smile, Albus motioned for Severus to take a seat in the plush armchair, the same one he had occupied just a few hours prior. "I hope that retrieving Harry went smoothly," Albus said, his eyes twinkling. "We should have him sorted so he can be in his dormitory by tomorrow evening."

"Harry is safe now," Severus replied, his tone tight. He struggled to keep his emotions in check, feeling the urge to lash out at the headmaster. He was not sure how much Albus knew about the boy's upbringing, but he had a feeling that the headmaster was fully aware of the situation. Despite his reservations, Severus refrained from making any judgments, not wanting to jump to conclusions before all the facts were known.

Albus, who had known Severus for many years, could tell that something was bothering him. He wondered what could have caused this reaction and if his actions had played a part. He hoped that he hadn't been too hard on Harry and that by sending him to retrieve the boy, he could show him that he was also Lily's son and hopefully establish a better relationship.

Rising from his seat, the solemn man approached the window and gazed out at the inky black sky dotted with twinkling stars. He wondered if Lily was among those stars, keeping an eye on him and her son. Taking a deep breath, he resumed his tale of the events of that night, leaving nothing out except perhaps the fact that the Dursleys were still suspended from the ceiling. That information could be shared at a later time. After all they had inflicted upon the child, being stuck to the ceiling was the very least they deserved.

After listening to Severus's account, Albus felt as though he had aged a hundred years. He could never have imagined that Petunia was capable of treating a child in such a manner. She had promised him that she would raise Harry as her own if he left them in peace until it was time for him to attend Hogwarts. "I never thought that they would harm him," Albus said with a sigh. "I had hoped that by keeping him away from the spotlight, he would have a chance at a normal upbringing."

Severus shot the headmaster a piercing, unyielding gaze. "He must never go back there," he stated firmly.

Albus sighed deeply and nodded in agreement. "The blood wards are some of the most powerful protective spells out there, but I can see your point. Harry would not be safe in that house."

Severus nodded, his gaze fixed on the night sky. Albus rose from his chair and stood beside him, also looking out the window. The two remained silent for a moment, before Severus finally spoke. "You really didn't know."

Albus let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "When they agreed to take Harry in, I had to make a promise not to interfere with how they raised him. I thought they just wanted privacy, but now it's clear there was something more behind their request."

Severus cast a glance towards the man and could clearly see the evidence of age and defeat etched upon his face. Despite Dumbledore's reputation for being all-powerful, Severus remembered that he was just a person like everyone else and had his own flaws. Albus's main flaw, Severus thought, was his tendency to trust others to follow through on their promises. With a sigh, he turned his gaze back towards the window. "This isn't a simple mistake that can be easily corrected," he said. "His life will be forever marked by his childhood experiences and he will need years of support from a mind healer and a stable, reliable home environment. You cannot bounce him from family to family."

Albus nodded, but when he placed a hand on Severus's shoulder, Severus immediately shrugged it off. Why was with everyone trying to touch him tonight? "I understand, Severus," Albus said. "Let's discuss this further in the morning and find a suitable family for Harry to live with. We need to act fast before the Ministry gets involved. You know they've been trying to place him with a influential family since that night."

"We'll address it in the morning. By the way, the Dursleys may be stuck to their ceiling. You should probably release them." Severus said, before turning towards the door with his robes flowing behind him. He strode down the stairs, leaving Albus standing there with his eyes closed and taking a deep breath. After processing the last thing Severus said, Albus opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow as he looked to where Severus had left. He then let out a sigh and reflected on what had transpired that evening.

For once in his long life, he was uncertain about what to do. The blood wards were powerful and he had even considered casting a spell to protect Harry from harm by muggles. However, that would only protect against physical wounds, not the emotional toll of being overworked or mistreated, so he discarded that idea. He also thought about the Weasley family, but they already had so many children and taking on another would be difficult. Perhaps a good night's sleep would bring some clarity to the situation, but first he supposed he needed to release the Dursleys. Albus resolved to release the Dursleys and rest, hoping to find a solution in his dreams. Before retiring to his chambers for the night, he made a quick firecall to Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Severus, however, did not follow Albus's advice to get some rest. Instead, he went to check on his newly acquired snakes to ensure that they were all safely settled in for the night. After making sure everything was in order, he headed back to the hospital wing to keep watch over Harry as he slept.