"You all need to get out," Severus said clutching his fists, "Bill, Charlie, get them out now."

Bill quickly ushered the twins, Neville, and Charlie who was watching Harry, out of the room and was followed by Sirius and Remus. Severus grabbed Harry's shoulders.

"Harry," Severus said quietly sitting in front of the child, "Harry, look at me."

Harry looked at the man in front of him. Severus froze when he saw the flat look in Harry's eyes. Instead of the shining happiness and excitement, his eyes were clouded with fear and tears.

"I'm going to kill him," Harry said as a few tears dripped down his cheeks, and he stared at the letter.

Pet,

I thought you might like the photos one Mr. McNair had the fortune of getting, while we had our small get together last week. I hope you are ready to serve your master again, Pet. Until next time Pet.

Your Master

Attached with the letter were dozens of photos of Lucius Malfoy touching and beating a frozen, sobbing, and terrified Harry Potter.

"Harry, he can't get you here," Severus said pulling the child towards him, "You are safe."

"Here I am," Harry said bitterly, but not moving away from the safe arms, "What about when I go back to Hogwarts? Or I walk down Diagon Alley again?"

"At Hogwarts you will be safe," Severus said forcefully, "We will all be there with you. And you will not be going to Diagon Alley again, so that doesn't matter. Hogsmeade trips are cancelled, so we won't worry about that, and we are taking precautions."

Harry looked at the man and narrowed his eyes. "Precautions? You mean like third year? Oh yes I would be perfectly safe with dementors!"

"I didn't mean it like…" Severus started but Harry cut him off.

"It doesn't matter!" Harry screamed, jumping away from the man and clenched his fists, "He will get to me again! It doesn't matter, all your words and precautions! Either Voldemort or Master will get to me and there is nothing you can do!"

"Harry," Severus said in a soft voice, "Harry don't call him that. He is not your master. You are not owned, what he did was wrong."

Harry shook his head and backed up into the corner and sank down to the floor. Severus was not surprised to see the boy's shoulders shaking and the tears streaming down his face.

"Harry," Severus said softly, but firmly, "We will keep you safe. If I ever see Lucius Malfoy again, I'll kill him." He sat on the floor next to him and wrapped his arms around the trembling boy, "At Hogwarts, I will be there, and all of these Gryffindor dunderheads will be as well. With a potions master, headmistress, and four professors, I think we can take care of the problems."

"Sirius is going to be mad at you," Harry whispered, might as well get away from the painful topics, "He wanted to be a surprise."

"I didn't tell you what he is teaching," Severus said, knowing not to push the topic, "He won't know."

"It's not hard to figure out what he will be teaching," Harry said, closing his eyes, "We need a new Transfiguration teacher."

"See, I didn't tell you," Severus smirked and stood up, "Come on, I believe your godfather wants to see you in the water today, let's try that potion."

"What do I have to do?" Harry asked softly.

"You're going to have to lie down and take off your shirt off," Severus said, "This works more like a salve. I'll have to rub it into your back. I'll let you do your front, don't panic."

"Just… just don't touch anything else," Harry whispered before taking off his silk green button up shirt he had put on. "Will it take away the others? The words?"

"It should, I'll let you put that on, okay?" Severus said opening the jar and sitting on the edge of the bed and Harry glanced towards the door, "Do you want me to ask someone to sit with you?" Harry nodded and took a deep breath.

"Charlie please," Harry said and Severus nodded and sent out a patronus out to the second eldest red head. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Severus said and turned towards the window as everybody began to make their way out towards the small lake.

Harry quickly moved to the bed as Charlie entered the room and looked at him. Charlie smiled softly and sat on the edge of the bed and Severus began to rub the salve into Harry's skin.

"You feel alright Harry?" Charlie asked softly and watched as the scars slowly faded and Harry kept his eyes tightly closed. Harry nodded as Severus asked him to lie on his stomach to put the ointment on his back, Harry slightly realizing that Severus had done his front as well as starting his back. "Draco told me to tell you that he wants you to go out there so they can show you some spells."

"Alright," Harry muttered barely louder than a whisper as he sat up and Charlie handed the younger man his shirt and Harry quickly put it on and wrapped his arms around his chest. Severus raised an eyebrow as Charlie walked towards hi,.

"How close is the blood relationship between us?" Charlie asked and glanced back at Harry as the younger man made his way towards the door.

"It's hardly there anymore," Severus replied with a nod, "It's more potent between you and me. It won't affect what is hidden in the Ministry, neither of them."

"He doesn't get the notice about what's in the Hall of Magical Household Affairs until he's 17, and the Hall of Prophecies until he is 16," Charlie stated and sighed, "I'll tell his about the Magical Household Affairs when he is healed."

"That would be beneficial," Severus replied and looked at James and Lily's portrait, "Make sure to go slowly."

Charlie nodded and set off to search for his older brother. Severus ran his hand through his hair and sighed, "Bloody Gryffindors. Thank Merlin I get to go to the castle."

"Oh Severus," Lily chuckled, "You'll miss them."

"The fact that you're right scares me Lily," Severus replied and turned around and left the room with a small smile on his face, yes, he would miss these foolhardy Gryffindors.