Severus glanced up from the potions he was organizing and separating for Potter and Malfoy to watch Dumbledore enter the Hospital Wing. The headmaster walked over to the boys' beds, standing between them. Potter and Malfoy had finally woken, a little over twenty-four hours after they had been found. They'd both seemed confused about where they were before blanching, obviously recalling whatever had happened to them. When they'd spotted Severus, their eyes had widened and they'd tensed, though with fear or hatred, he hadn't been able to discern. Severus hadn't said anything, choosing to organize the potions and let the boys wake and settle a bit before calling for Dumbledore. While he wanted to know both of their stories, beyond potions, they were not his responsibility and he wasn't there to comfort.

"Harry, Draco," Dumbledore said when both sets of eyes snapped to him. "I am very happy to see you awake. You both had us worried."

Potter and Malfoy didn't respond, just staring at the headmaster. Severus picked up a couple of potions and went to each boy respectively, giving each a Pain Reliever. They both gave him a suspicious look, but took the potion willingly when they recognized what it was and the pain they were feeling. He returned to the tray of potions and stood behind it while he waited for Dumbledore to start trying to get explanations. He would be monitoring the boys in case any of the other potions were needed.

"Would either of you care to tell us what happened and how you came to be here at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked, looking between the boys expectantly.

Green and grey eyes flicked around, finding Severus and each other. Their jaws clenched and Severus knew they were going to refuse to speak. He wasn't surprised. If his theory about what happened to them was correct, it would be extremely unlikely that they would be able to get them to speak. Yet he knew Dumbledore would push them, determined to have answers though likely to ignore any that he didn't particularly like or feel fit into his expectations.

"Boys, we need to know what caused you such injuries so we know how to help," Dumbledore said.

Severus watched the boys' eyes narrow at the headmaster. They clearly didn't trust anyone, even the headmaster, to help them. He was slightly surprised even Potter seemed to distrust his beloved headmaster, but he imagined they had both tried to get help at some point in their lives and it had failed. Such failure quickly turned into never trying again in his experience.

"Well then, can you tell me how you got here?" Dumbledore asked, switching issues.

"I don't know," Potter said stiffly, obviously choosing to give them something likely in hopes they would leave him alone. "I…fell asleep in Privet Drive."

"Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore turned to the blonde.

"I was at home as well last I knew," Malfoy said just as guardedly and trying to pull up his usual haughtiness though it was less than sincere.

Dumbledore gazed at them intently and Severus knew he was attempting to use Legilimency on the boys. "Did anything happen before you were unconscious?"

The boys stayed silent again. Severus noticed an increase in Malfoy's trembling and swept over with another potion, raising an eyebrow when Malfoy looked like he was going to refuse the potion. His stern look convinced the blonde to take the potion, making him nod at the boy, satisfied. He returned to his place behind the potion tray.

Dumbledore sighed. "Boys, I need to know what happened before you came here so that I know if the castle is at risk of other infiltrations."

"Last thing I remember is there was a pressure in my chest," Potter said, sounding annoyed at Dumbledore's minor manipulation.

"I felt the same," Malfoy added, also sounding irritated.

Dumbledore hummed. "Intriguing. I will continue to investigate. Now, tell me what caused you both to be in such states."

Severus watched the boys shut down once again.

"Was it Death Eaters?" Dumbledore pushed.

Potter and Malfoy shook their heads though Severus noticed an odd twitch in Malfoy's eye that made Severus wonder what technicality the blonde was noticing in the wording. Dumbledore looked at Potter intently, making the Gryffindor shift uncomfortably.

"Harry," Dumbledore said in a firm tone, clearly done with their lack of answers.

"It was nothing, sir," Potter said shortly, clearly not appreciating Dumbledore's prying. "Things got out of hand with my cousin."

Severus' eyes narrowed. The boy was lying.

Dumbledore gazed at the Gryffindor over his glasses before moving his hard blue eyes to Malfoy. "Draco?"

The blonde shrugged his uninjured shoulder, his own expression morphing into a glare. Malfoy didn't like or trust Dumbledore, Severus knew. The headmaster would get nothing from the Slytherin. Severus could see the fatigue setting in in the boys and decided to stop any further interrogation.

"Headmaster, perhaps this can be continued at another time," he said, drawing all three sets of eyes to himself. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy have only just woken and need some more rest."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Of course, Severus. We will continue this chat tomorrow, my boys. Severus, if you would come with me for a short while."

"Yes, Headmaster. I will be right there once these two are settled," Severus said.

Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing and Severus approached the boys. He started with Potter.

"Lean forward, Potter," Severus instructed. "I must see to your back."

Potter's eyes met his with a hateful glare. "Don't touch me," he spat.

Severus rolled his eyes, wishing the boy was still unconscious so he didn't have to actually speak to the arrogant brat.

"Just do what I say, Potter. If I wanted to do anything to you, I would not have waited until you were awake," Severus said, sending Potter his own glare. "Now, lean forward."

Tense and the glare still on his face, Potter slowly and carefully sat up, leaning forward. Severus lightly pushed the boy's shoulder to help him lean, ignoring the flinch Potter couldn't hold back at his touch. He gently pulled the back of the boy's hospital gown apart and carefully removed the bandages covering the whole of the boy's back. He opened the jar of Murtlap Essence and dripped a single drop into each deep laceration, watching another couple layers of skin stitch back together. It would take another treatment or two before the cuts were fully healed, though they would leave behind scars. Nothing new for the boy given the state of his back under the lacerations. White, pink, and red lines, raised and not, crisscrossed the boy's back, indicating years of similar injuries.

He reapplied the bandages to the boy's back and moved on to his other injuries and then to Malfoy, ensuring both boys were on their way to healing come the next few days and weeks.

"I must speak with the headmaster. You two need to rest. Would either of you like a potion to sleep?" Severus asked.

"No, sir," they both said quietly.

"Very well," Severus said. "I will be back. Go to sleep."

Not expecting or waiting for a response, Severus swept from the infirmary to join Dumbledore who was waiting just outside.

"How are they?" Dumbledore asked as they started walking.

"They will heal," Severus said shortly, "slowly."

"Do you have any ideas about what happened to them?" Dumbledore asked, sounding genuinely curious, but it was that tone that just made a small touch of anger bubble inside of Severus.

He glared at the headmaster slightly. The man had to know. He'd seen it with Severus, even if he had refused to do anything about it. "I have a theory, though it is difficult to believe in regards to those two in particular," he said vaguely.

Dumbledore hummed, but said nothing more on the matter. They walked into the Entrance Hall with Dumbledore stopping them about halfway to the front doors.

"This is where Hagrid found the boys," Dumbledore said and Severus looked at the floor, noting the small blood pools.

He watched as Dumbledore raised his hands, palms out, and closed his eyes. Light appeared in his palms and the air above the blood spatters shimmered. After about a minute, Dumbledore dropped his hands and opened his eyes. There was a small frown on the man's face. Severus just crossed his arms and waited for an explanation.

"It would seem that our Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy Apparated here," Dumbledore said, his tone casual but his expression a mix of confusion and concern.

"Inside the castle?" Severus clarified, also confused. Dumbledore nodded. "How is that possible? Are the wards intact?"

"Stronger than ever," Dumbledore said. "I am unsure how they managed such a feat. They are only just turning fifteen after all."

"Do you believe they are hiding something?" Severus asked.

"It is unclear," Dumbledore said. "There is something strange about their magical signatures here. Something seems to have changed in their magic. It is possible they have power they were unaware of, or maybe kept hidden."

"Given what the prophecy says about Potter, surely you already knew he had a power not yet fully realized," Severus said, ignoring the tightness in his chest as he thought of the damned prophecy. "However, I do not believe Malfoy has any secret power. No such thing has ever been apparent in the boy or any of his family."

"Perhaps not, but how else do you explain his ability to Apparate into Hogwarts at fifteen while unconscious?" Dumbledore said, peering at Severus with a raised eyebrow.

Severus stared at the bloodied floor, unsure how to respond. He had no other explanations for how the boys could have gotten into the castle.

"Perhaps you could find out," Dumbledore said and Severus looked at him sharply.

"What?" he growled.

"We need to know what they are hiding and they do not seem keen on speaking with me," Dumbledore explained.

"And you think they'll speak to me?" Severus said, incredulous. "I do not particularly like either of them and the feeling is mutual."

"You simply need to learn about their magical abilities," Dumbledore said. "Once we know how they managed their Apparation, they will return to their homes. I will handle their magical abilities come September."

"And the cause of their injuries?" Severus asked, thinking about what the boys could be getting sent back to.

"No need to concern yourself with that," Dumbledore said and Severus' eyes narrowed at the man's voluntary ignorance. "Unfortunately, even if your theory is correct, there is little I can do."

"Really?" Severus said deadpanned, not sure he believed the headmaster.

"Harry must remain within his mother's protection at Privet Drive and, unless you are willing to go up against Lucius Malfoy, Draco will have to return to his parents."

"If it is so dangerous for them to be away from their homes, how could they possibly come to mine?" Severus said.

"The Malfoys will believe Draco simply ran away for a couple of weeks and, as long as Harry is in Privet Drive on his birthday, he can strengthen the wards in the second half of the summer, rather than the first as has been the case the last few summers," Dumbledore explained. "Additionally, your home is well protected and they can be safe there for at least some time."

Severus stared at the man, annoyed by the suggestion. He absolutely did not want to spend any more of his summer with Malfoy or Potter than he had to. His days were hard enough since Voldemort's return, let alone adding two hated students into the mix that he would have to provide a semblance of care for. Not to mention the hatred that existed between Malfoy and Potter themselves. They became menaces when confronting each other. The three of them could not possibly exist in the same house together, even for just three weeks. They could barely manage in a huge castle.

"Albus, I do not believe this is a wise choice," Severus said, needing to find a way out. "What am I to do with them during meetings?" he asked, referring to both Order and Death Eater meetings, both of which had to be kept secret from people like Malfoy and Potter.

"Whatever you need to," Dumbledore said almost flippantly. "It is important we learn what those boys are capable of, particularly Harry. He must be trained up properly if he does have a power we did not know of before."

Severus couldn't help but stare at the man with furrowed eyebrows. The headmaster was acting oddly cold towards the two boys, as though nothing mattered except if they had secret power. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he considered the headmaster's proposition. He really didn't want anything to do with those boys or have any kind of responsibility for them, and he hated the idea of having his summer disturbed by the cretins.

"It is only three weeks," Dumbledore said, placating. "Less if you discover their powers before then."

Severus let out a deep breath of irritation. He hated the idea of sending the boys back to what he knew was abuse, but he hated the idea of them staying with him even more. He would just have to force the truth out of the boys as quickly as he could so they could be free of each other. They would be fine back in their homes. It would only be for a few more weeks until September. They'd be fine. He studiously ignored how 'fine' he would be come September at their age.

"I'm not going anywhere with him!" Harry said angrily, glaring at Dumbledore and Snape.

He couldn't believe what Dumbledore was suggesting. He wanted Harry to go to Snape's house with Malfoy? Was the headmaster officially out of his mind? The three of them despised each other!

"Harry, what you and Mr. Malfoy accomplished is remarkable," Dumbledore said, referring to his theory that Harry and Malfoy had somehow Apparated—whatever that was—inside the school.

"Professor Snape will simply help you two discover your full abilities."

"Like hell he will," Harry spat. "I'm not going with them."

"Then you will return to your relatives'," Dumbledore said and Harry's stomach dropped.

He couldn't go back there, not after what had just happened. He couldn't take another summer there and, if he went back now, he was sure Vernon would kill him. He'd be furious he'd failed.

"Can't I stay here or with the Weasleys?" Harry asked, desperate to stay away from Privet Drive.

"No staff will be here during the summer and the Weasleys are not at the Burrow this summer," Dumbledore said and Harry frowned.

"Where are they staying?" Harry asked, confused. He always got to spend at least half the summer with the Weasleys. What was different that summer?

"I will tell you about that at a later date," Dumbledore said vaguely and Harry's frown deepened. What was the headmaster keeping from him? "I fear these are your only options, and the same goes for you Mr. Malfoy."

Harry turned a glare on Malfoy before looking back at his broken leg. He couldn't go back to the Dursleys', but could he really stay with Snape and Malfoy for the summer? What would they do to him? Would it be better or worse than the Dursleys'? He knew what they were both capable of while at Hogwarts so what would they be like outside without the prying eyes of others?

His eyes burned as he stared at his leg, his bandaged arm, felt his back sting. Could anything be worse than his uncle? He let his eyes close, willing the memories of the other day to go away.

What if Snape found out the truth? He'd spent his whole life keeping his life with the Dursleys to himself. There was no way he could risk Snape and Malfoy finding out. He could only imagine the torment they would inflict on him with such knowledge. Plus, what if Snape believed in the same type of punishment and decided to finish what his uncle started?

"Harry?" Dumbledore pressed and Harry looked at the man again, hating him for putting him in this position.

"What do you think you're going to find?" Harry asked, stalling having to make a decision.

"If you did, indeed, Apparate into Hogwarts, it would indicate extraordinary latent power within you," Dumbledore said. "If we know about this power, we could train you up on how to use and control it, particularly in your fight against Voldemort."

Harry couldn't help the downturn of his lips, sighing silently at Dumbledore's insinuation that finding out about this power was more important than anything else. It was always that way, how he could be useful against Voldemort. It's all he was; a soldier for Dumbledore's use.

He glanced at Snape, noticing a strange flicker in the dark eyes as they briefly looked at Dumbledore. He had no idea what the expression was, Snape impossible to read as always. He could see annoyance though, one of the only emotions he could identify in the man as it was one of the most common emotions aimed at him throughout their years together. Snape obviously wasn't thrilled about the situation either.

Harry dropped his eyes to his lap again, reluctantly making his choice.

"Fine," he muttered. "I'll go with Snape."

Meeting Snape's hard, dark eyes, he hoped he wasn't putting himself in an even worse situation.

"Alright, my boys," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together and smiling at them, an expression only he had. "Get well and work hard. You only have three weeks before you get to return home."

Both Harry's and Malfoy's eyes snapped to the headmaster. They had to go back at the end of July? He hadn't mentioned that yesterday! He'd implied they would be with Snape for the summer! Harry's stomach twisted. Sure, he was terrified to be trapped in a house with Snape and Malfoy, but just because he didn't know what to expect. He'd chosen Snape because he thought it was his escape from the Dursleys for one summer. If he had to go back, he knew what would happen. He couldn't go back there.

"Off you go," Dumbledore said, gesturing for them to go through the Floo and either not noticing or choosing to ignore the very obvious ramp up in anxiety in the two boys.

"Mr. Malfoy," Snape said. "Prince Manor."

Malfoy gave a small nod and stepped into the fireplace, Floo Powder in his uninjured left hand. "Prince Manor!"

Harry watched the blonde spin away and looked down at his leg, wondering how he'd manage. He was leaning heavily on a crutch, hardly able to walk.

"Come on, Potter," Snape said, drawing his attention. The professor was standing by the fireplace, holding Floo Powder. "We will be required to go through together due to your leg."

Harry couldn't help the grimace that crossed his face at having to be in close physical contact with Snape. Wanting to stall, he suddenly thought of something and turned to the headmaster.

"Sir, what about my things? They're still in Privet Drive," Harry said, realizing he didn't have his wand. He'd be helpless against Malfoy and Snape without his wand. He also wondered where Hedwig had ended up, desperately hoping she was safe.

"I will retrieve what you'll need for your time with the professor," Dumbledore said.

Harry just nodded, unsure what else to say.

"Potter," Snape snapped, making Harry jump slightly. He turned back to the professor. "Let's go."

Harry sighed and hobbled into the fireplace, tensing when Snape's arm wrapped around his shoulders.

"Prince Manor!" Snape said loudly and Harry shut his eyes as the headmaster's office spun away in ash. Snape's arm tightened on his shoulders, keeping him close and steady.

Eventually the spinning stopped and Snape helped him step out of the fireplace. The second he had his balance, he pushed away from Snape, refusing to accept touch from the man any more than he had to. He'd agreed to stay with Malfoy and Snape because he'd had no other option; he would never be happy or comfortable there with them.

He gazed around the room he'd been brought to. It was a study with a couple desks, a sofa, a few chairs, and a small bookcase with a few books on it. It was a nice room, comfortable with the earth tones that coloured it. Malfoy was leaning against one of the desks, looking drained. Harry was doing his best not to succumb to his own exhaustion. It had only been three days since he very nearly died at the hands of his uncle; he was still healing and, sadly, had a long way to go. He had to try and stay alert, though, while he was in a house with the Slytherins that hated him more than anything.

"Come, I'll show you your rooms and you'll both rest," Snape said stiffly and swept out of the study.

Harry glanced at Malfoy, receiving a sneer in return. Sighing, he slowly followed Malfoy from the study. They walked down a hallway, and found a huge foyer-type space and a set of stairs, Snape waiting at the bottom of them. There were a couple of open doorways to the left of the staircase as well as one behind them that appeared to lead to a sitting room. There was also a hallway that seemed to lead somewhere behind the staircase.

"Your rooms are upstairs," Snape said.

Harry gazed up the long staircase that Malfoy had already started climbing and then looked down at his leg, frustrated. Did Snape really think he could get up the stairs?

"Take the left side," Snape said and Harry frowned, confused. The man rolled his eyes. "Just do it."

Glaring, Harry limped to the stairs. He stepped onto the bottom stair and as soon as his hand landed on the railing, a small portion of the stairs started moving like an escalator. Harry was shocked that such a thing could be done. Were the stairs always like that or had Snape charmed them because of Harry?

Pushing the thought aside for now, he stepped off the stairs, finding himself in yet another open area with a few doors, a hallway leading around a corner, and a second set of stairs heading to a third floor looping up behind him.

"Potter, your room will be the second on the left. Malfoy, across from Potter's, first on the right," Snape instructed. "My room is beside Potter's. it is off limits. No exceptions. Now, get to your rooms. I will call you for lunch and we will discuss these few weeks then."

Harry and Malfoy watched Snape descend the stairs. Their eyes met as they turned to head to their newly assigned rooms and they glowered at each other, willing pain on the other just by sight. Malfoy broke contact first and stalked into his room, nearly slamming the door behind him.

Wondering if he'd made a mistake, Harry sighed and slipped into his new room, also closing the door behind him.