a horrifying realization
After a couple minutes of humming Sirius looked down and what he found was an endearing sight to behold.
Harry was asleep on his lap. Faint snores escaped the child, but other than that he looked peaceful.
Sirius picked up the sleeping child and started to head to the guest bedroom, with a final look at Remus, (who by the way had been watching over the two the whole time) they exited the room.
While carrying the child he noticed two things, one of which was very alarming.
1: the child was severely underweight, Sirius would have to talk to him about that as well.
The second was less alarming.
The kid had latched his hands on to Sirius's shirt and had snuggled into the warmth of his chest.
Sirius allowed himself to faintly smile as he rounded the corner and turned to the guest room. He gently laid the child onto the bed and was about to exit the room when Harry made a pitiful noise, his face pained. He whispered.
"Don't leave"
Sirius smiled and with slight hesitation got into the bed next to Harry.
Harry looked content and snuggled into Sirius's side.
Sirius ruffled the kids hair and said;
"Sleep well pup, sleep well."
____
Meanwhile, Snape's mind was a reck. He was conflicted on so many levels.
The potter that he always knew was arrogant and rude. Always trying to cause trouble, just like his father!
Snape paced back and forth in the kitchen trying to peace together what he had just seen.
This child wasn't acting like James Potter. But then again, Severus thought with a shudder, maybe he never had.
Severus stoped pacing, and just stood there.
Merlin, now that he thought of it, when was there ever a time when the boy had been anything but kind.
Was he just taking it out on the kid for what his father did?
Severus whispered under his breath;
"Merlin, I need to apologize to the kid, now more than ever."
Just as he was just about to exit the room when he saw a very upset Remus lupin in the door way.
With a sigh Remus entered the room and sat down in one of the oak chairs with a huff, running his hands through his knotted hair.
Snape raised an eyebrow.
Remus just looked at him in disbelief.
"What"
Snape drawled.
Remus looked fit to burst as he sat there looking for the words.
He finally said bewildered;
"what!? What do you mean, what!?"
Snape just stood there dumbfounded. He had never seen the normally calm man so disgruntled.
When Snape didn't respond Remus took charge.
"The kid!"
He said in disbelief.
"Harry is up there, he's hurting. Hell you sent him into a panic attack just by taking a step! Think Severus! If it wasn't the death eaters, what could it have been!?"
And that- that hadnt even occurred to Snape.
Who could've done this? He had always assumed that it was potters self sacrificing acts that got him in trouble.
Then something hit him.
He had remembered Albus talking to Minerva. They spoke in hushed tones but it seemed urgent. Minerva was worried about something concerning potter, something she assumed to be dangerous. Albus mentioned something about the Dursleys being the best option.
It didn't make sense then, but now, he stared wide eyed in horror at Remus.
No it couldnt be, Harry Potter, the boy who lived, couldn't be being abused.
Could he?
Remus stood from his chair and stalked towards Severus.
"What, what is it Snape?"
The man questioned.
Severus didn't want to admit it, but it made sense. All those years, and he hadn't noticed the signs. Now it was clear why the boy always looked disheartened on holidays where he would have to go back to his muggle home.
Severus just assumed it was because he couldn't use magic there.
"Is it even possible"
Severus asked in a low, horror filled voice.
"Is what possible??"
Remus said worriedly, looking just about to shake the answer out of Snape.
"Could he be abused?"
____
Remus couldn't believe what he was hearing.
He sat back in his chair, for fear that if he kept standing he would fall.
The two men stared wide eyed at each other in silence.
Could it be? Remus knew the child, he knew him well. They had often had heart to hearts in Harry's 3rd year at Hogwarts. Why wouldn't he tell him?
He must admit it did make sense. He just assumed the bruises were from roughhousing with freinds over break.
Now he realized he had made a terrible mistake.
People were so focused on protecting the child from outside threats such as Voldemort, they never thought to look inside.
After a few minutes more of silence, Remus couldn't take it anymore.
He stood up and walked towards the guest bedroom where he knew Harry and Sirius would be.
Snape hot on his heels.