The Fifth Founder

Chapter 1

Harry groaned as he fought to wake up. His body felt like it had been sat on by a Hungarian Horntail, and his mind wasn't much more stable. He led there for a while, trying to not to think and trying not to feel, until he heard the locks on his door being undone. He kept his eyes closed and hoped that Vernon would leave him alone if he thought he was asleep. No such luck.

"Boy!" Uncle Vernon shouted as soon as he was in the room. "You're a lazy, good for nothing freak," he all but spat when he noticed that Harry was still on his bed. He grabbed Harry by the hair and pulled him into an upright position before landing a punch into the wizard's stomach. Harry bit his lip to prevent himself from making a noise as blow after blow was landed on his body. To do so would be to risk more blows. He lost track of time as his uncle continued his physical assault. The blows suddenly stopped when an inhuman screech sounded through the room. From his position on the floor, Harry looked up through his good eye (well, better eye) to see Vernon grab a white blur that was attacking his face. There was an audible snap and then a thud as whatever it was got dropped. Before Harry could take a good look, he was grabbed by his hair again and pulled up into the sneering face of his uncle.

"Now boy, I hope that teaches you a lesson. We are off on holiday today and won't be back for two weeks. We don't want you here when we get back. I don't care how you do it, but get out." With one more swift kick to his ribs, Vernon left the room. Harry barely heard the locks sliding into place, his entire focus was on the white blur. There, laying spread eagled on the floor a few feet from Harry's head, was Hedwig, dead.

Harry let a silent tear slide down his cheek before slowly and painfully pushing himself to his feet and making his way to the bed. This action drained the last of his energy and he felt the darkness overcome him.

*

When Harry drifted back into consciousness for about the sixth time since Hedwigs death, he found he was not alone. Looming over the bed was Professor Snape, usual sneer missing from his face. Instead he seemed worried by what he was witnessing.

"Potter?" he asked gently. Harry groaned in response. "Who did this to you? Why? When? How?" Professor Snape seemed confused. Rather than trying to talk, Harry tried something. He projected his memories of the summer towards the professor and, judging by his wide eyed expression, it worked. Memories of beatings mingled with memories of dreams involving five brightly dressed people in Hogwarts and two other places Harry didn't recognise, Sirius falling through the veil and visions sent by Voldemort.

"Mother of Merlin," Snape exclaimed under his breath. "I'm going to get you out of here. I will take you back to Hogwarts, is that alright?" Harry nodded slightly. "I will go and collect your things." The professor swept out of the room after using a simple Alohamora on the door and returned a few minutes later, Harry's trunk floating behind him. "Do you mind if I put this portkey around your neck?" Harry shook his head and tried to mentally prepare himself, but couldn't stop the flinch when hands approached. Snape seemed to understand and moved slowly and carefully forward. Once he'd put the portkey around Harry's neck, he carefully laid one hand on the boys shoulder and used his other to grab the boys belongings before muttering, "Activate."

The pair arrived in the Hogwarts hospital wing , Harry led on a bed and Snape stood next to him. As soon as the other people present, namely Professor Dumbledore, Madame Pomfrey, Remus, Kingsley and Tonks, had taken stock of what was going on, they rushed forward, talking and shouting over one another. Harry immediately let out a whimper and curled up on himself. Snape whirled around to face the approaching crowd, scowl on his face.

"Would you please desist from creating that abysmal racket," he said softly and evenly so as not to scare the boy on the bed behind him. "You are scaring this young man. Mr Potter is not very well, and probably won't be for a long time. Now your questions can wait for another time. Poppy, can you heal him?" the potions master asked. "Without getting too close?"

"I can try. But he might need a few potions though," she responded before turning to the others. "Can you wait outside? I believe your presence is detrimental to the health of my patient, and you will learn nothing at this time." The crowd nodded sheepishly and filed silently from the room.

"Thank you," Professor Snape said quietly, moving towards the bed. He stopped just short. "Mr Potter, Harry," he called quietly. The wizard in question looked up through fear filled green eyes. "They've gone. But you need to sit up so Madame Pomfrey can heal you. Will you do that for me?" Harry nodded and did just that, turning his world weary and haunted eyes towards the mediwitch. She quickly performed the diagnosis spell without moving any closer.

"All the physical injuries can be healed using a couple of potions. I'll go and get them." She bustled off, giving the professor a chance to talk to Harry.

"Mr Potter, do you want to stay here, or would you prefer to go somewhere more private?"

"Somewhere more private," Harry whispered. "I don't want to see any of them yet. I'm not ready."

"Very well. There is a room in the dungeons that is close to mine. You can stay there." He opened his mouth to say something more just as Poppy bustled back over, several potions vials in hand. She handed them to the potions master before backing off slightly. "harry, I need you to take these potions for me. They'll heal all of your injuries." He handed the vials over one by one, meeting no resistance until the last one. "Yes, it's a dreamless sleep potion, but you need it." With a small sigh, Harry dutifully swallowed the potion, succumbing to its effects almost immediately.

"Do you want to move him somewhere more private?" Poppy asked. Snape nodded. "There is a room at the back if you want to make use of it."

"No, I think I'll take him down to Slytherin. More private, and I want to keep an eye on him. For whatever reason, he's connected with me, and that may be the only thing to save him." Sending Harry's trunk down to his room with a spell, he picked up the sleeping wizard and moved towards the fireplace. "Tell Albus that I will come and explain in about ten minutes." Nodding his head in gratitude as Poppy threw some floo powder down, he shouted, "My quarters."

*

"Severus," Albus said as soon as the potions master walked into the Headmaster's office. "Where is Harry? We would like to see him." He indicated the rest of the Order, who he must have called whilst Severus was getting Harry settled.

"No," Severus said. "As I said to you in the hospital wing, Mr Potter is ill, and probably will be for a long time. Due to this summer, he has adverse reactions to shouting, loud noises, anger, people coming towards him at the wrong angle, speed or time, and to the words 'boy' and 'freak'. For most of his life he has been malnourished and neglected, and told that he is worthless. His self belief and self respect are in tatters, and he has lost his trust in us, as no one checked up on him, or seemed to notice his plight. Yet, despite, or because of all of that, he has connected with me for some reason. I don't know why, but I do know it may be the only thing that can make him better, and I don't want to risk anything going wrong."

"What happened this summer?" Molly Weasley asked.

"From the moment Mr potter entered that house three weeks ago, he has been beaten to a pulp by his uncle, and starved to death by his aunt. Forced to send false letters by threats of beatings, which happened anyway, and three days ago his owl was killed simply for trying to protect her master. Your little goodbye message did nothing to help, it may have even made the situation worse."

"But how do we know if he's OK?" Remus asked, seemingly really worried.

"Poppy knows where he is, as do I. His physical injuries are well on their way to being healed. The mental ones, however, I don't know how long they will take. I've never looked into the effects of child abuse, magical or otherwise, and I've never seen it to the extent of this. But he will find it hard to trust anyone fully. I will keep you updated, as will Poppy, but you will not see him until he asks for your presence. Now, can I leave? Only Mr Potter is waiting." Without waiting for an answer, the potions master turned towards the door and was halfway through before anyone spoke.

"Thank you, Severus," Albus almost whispered. Severus merely nodded before continuing on his way.

*

Harry drifted slowly awake, wondering when the next beating would come. It took a couple o minutes before anything other than this could grab his attention. He was in a comfortable bed, he no longer felt like he had been trampled on by a herd of rampaging hippogriffs, and he felt safe. That meant that there was only one place he cold be, the only place he had ever called home, Hogwarts. Slowly, his memory of... he didn't know when, began to return. Taking a deep breathe, he opened his eyes and took a look around. He was led in a large bed with black hangings and sheets in what appeared to be a bedroom, if the large wardrobe and dresser were any indication.

There were two doors leading from the room. One, Harry guessed, led to the bathroom. The other one, which was open, intrigued Harry. He got out of the bed slowly and made his way over to have a look. Through the doorway was what could be classed as a common room. On one wall was a massive fireplace, with a couple of sofas and chairs arranged in front of it. On the other side of the room was a table, four chairs sat round it, and on the wall nearby were a couple of bookshelves part filled with books. Next to this was what Harry guessed was the back of a portrait. Noticing a letter on a plate on the table, Harry made his way over.

Mr Potter,

As you have probably noticed, the plate has now filled with food. Eat as much as you can manage, I don't care how much, so long as it's something. You are probably wondering how long you have been asleep. Just over two days have passed since you went to sleep. It is Thursday 27^th July if you are curious.

Madame Pomfrey and I are the only ones who know your current location. The Headmaster wants to see you, but will wait until you are ready. If you want anything the fireplace is connected to the floo, so fire call either Madame Pomfrey or me. One of us will be in everyday to check on you, but other than that you are free to do what you like.

Your meals will be delivered magically three times a day until you feel up to venturing into the Great Hall. In case you need to know it, the password is 'Basilisk'. Do not change it without alerting me to the fact and telling me the new password.

You are free to do magic in the castle and grounds, as the Ministry can't detect it here. I believe you also have free reign of the Library, including the Restricted section, and, if you wish, you are permitted to use the potions lab.

S. Snape.

For some reason, Harry felt slightly better after reading the note, so did manage to eat something before heading off for a shower.

*

Severus looked up with a start when a buzzer sounded, alerting him that the wards he'd placed around Harry had been activated. Hoping Harry hadn't done what he dreaded, the potions master put his book down and quickly made his way to the fireplace. Barely a minute later, he was heading towards the bedroom of the rooms Harry was staying in. noticing the slight magical glow surrounding the other wizard, who was writhing in pain on the bed, though still fast asleep, Severus stopped before becoming more shocked. Before his eyes, Harry began to change. The Gryffindor grew slightly taller before his whole physiology began to change.

His face structure changed to something similar to his mothers, his hair grew slightly longer and more manageable whilst the rest of his body became more slender and graceful. The glow disappeared suddenly, apparently along with the pain as the younger wizard settled back down into a peaceful sleep, leaving the potions master looking at a strangely changed and peacefully sleeping Harry Potter. Checking the time then cursing under his breath, he quickly made his way back to his own rooms. It was already past midnight, and he had a lot of preparations to do for later that day. Putting the book he had been reading back in its rightful place, Severus stalked off to put his plans into action.

*

When Severus next entered Harry's rooms just after breakfast, he found Harry curled up in one of the chairs in front of the fire, reading. Placing the box he was carrying down on the table carefully, he cleared is throat to let Harry know of his presence. They'd come up with the idea early on, so as not to startle the young wizard, who was now looking at the professor, curious expression on his face.

"I have just come to wish you a happy birthday, Mr Potter." At the look the other wizard sent him, Severus smirked. "Fine, Harry. These are the letters and gifts you have received so far. I have put charms into place so that if you receive any more mail it will automatically make its way into this box."

"Thank you, Severus," the other wizard muttered, stumbling over the unfamiliar name.

"How do you feel today? Honestly."

"Honestly? Strange, different." Harry sighed. "I don't know how to explain it. I've grown about three inches over night, I feel less clumsy and my hearing and eyesight have improved slightly." He indicated his glasses free face. "I feel more confident of myself and my abilities, but I don't know why. Does this have anything to do with the pain I felt last night?"

"I honestly don't know," Severus replied truthfully. "It could be, but we will have to research it. And how are you feeling mentally?"

"I'm still having nightmares most nights, and can't seem to keep the memories away all the time. I'm alright if I've got something to occupy me, like reading, but if I have nothing to focus on, my mind automatically starts replaying everything. I think I've read half of the books in the restricted section trying to stop it. Would you- ?" he started asking, before cutting himself off.

"Harry," Severus reprimanded in his sternest voice. "Ask me the question, dammit. I wont bite."

"I was just wondering if you would be willing to teach me Occlumency. You all of my worst memories, ones I don't want anyone else to see. And I trust you far more than I trust the Headmaster." Severus gave the boy an incredulous look. "You've always been honest with me, even when you hated me. And you let me decide what was best for myself, not making the decision for me like so many others have in my life."

"I would be happy to teach you. Now, the other reason I came down was to say that I am going to tale you on a shopping trip. Your clothes are not fit for house elves to wear," he said, eyeing the current garments distastefully. "We can also pick up any supplies you'll need for next year whilst there. If you wish, we can use glamour charms to hide your identity. Will you be ready in a couple of days?"

"I don't know," Harry replied honestly. "I can try, but I don't know how I'll react in a street full of strangers. Who will be going?"

"Just the two of us, unless there is anyone else you want to come?" Harry shook his head. "Well, I have some work to do this morning but if you wish, I can come back after lunch and start the occlumency lessons." Harry nodded. "Very well, I will see you later." And with that he quickly left the room, leaving the Gryffindor to go through his presents and mail in peace.

*

Harry sat reading in front of the fire, trying to occupy himself until the Potions Master arrived for their lesson. Every couple of minutes his attention would wander to the letters on the small coffee table in front of him. In the box Severus had brought in that morning, there had been, along with his birthday presents, his OWL results and Hogwarts letter. He had to make a decision as to what classes he would be taking for the next two years. As he had done several times already, he picked up the parchment with his OWL results on and read through it again.

OWL Results for Mr H J Potter

Astronomy Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures Exceeds Expectations

Charms Outstanding (Theory)

Outstanding (Practical)

Defence Against the Dark Arts Outstanding* (Theory)

Outstanding* (Practical)

Divination Exceeds Expectations

Herbology Exceeds Expectations (Theory)

Exceeds Expectations (Practical)

History of Magic Acceptable

Potions Outstanding (Theory)

Outstanding (Practical)

Transfiguration Outstanding (Theory)

Outstanding (Practical)

Total 14 OWL's

* This indicates that this examination scored the highest recorded mark since the beginning of the OWL testing in 1569. Congratulations on your achievement.

With a sigh, he put his results back down and picked up the subject list, hoping that looking at it another time would give him a feeling as to which subjects he should choose. He scanned the list again.

Choose a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine of the following subjects:

Harry was still staring at the list, hoping for an answer, when he heard the door open and, a few seconds later, someone sit down in the chair next to his. He heard the rustle of parchment, and then someone spoke.

"It is good to see that you aren't as much of a dunderhead as you lead people to believe. And congratulations for the defence mark, very impressive," Severus said, indicating the results he had just been reading through. "Have you decided what subjects you wish to study next year?" Sighing and shaking his head, Harry handed the list to Severus, who read it through quickly. "You have a wide selection that you can choose from. But, back to why I am here. Occlumency. You cannot erect good strong shields without first clearing your mind of all extra thoughts. The more you practice, the quicker and easier it will be for you to clear your mind and the stronger the shields. Now, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. If any other thoughts enter your mind, push them to the back."

The lesson continued like this for another couple of hours, Harry slowly clearing his mind then building up shields. After building the shields up consciously each time, he would have to focus on other things whilst trying to keep the shields up subconsciously. Harry had managed ten minutes of subconsciously holding up his shields by the end of the lesson. This annoyed him- he thought he would have been doing better, but his achievement seemed to have pleased Severus.

"You've done amazingly well today Harry. Very few, if any, wizards can subconsciously hold up their shields for more than a minute during their first few attempts. It took me a good week to get to the standard that you are at now. By the end of the week, I reckon you will be shielding subconsciously pretty much constantly, and your shields will be solid. You can continue practising clearing and shielding your mind this afternoon, but don't push too hard otherwise all your progress will be lost. I must go now, the headmaster wants to see me."

Harry watched him leave before picking up the subject list again. The classes he wanted to take had come to him whilst he had been clearing his mind. Ticking Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Healing, Herbology, History of Magic, Languages, Potions, Transfiguration and Wizarding Law, Harry watched the form disappear and then went back to his book.