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the room of requirement	By : evil-minded Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 3502 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any character from it, Rowling does … I do not make any money out of Harry Potter either, again – Rowling does … I however do own Nolan Malfoy – but I don’t make money of him also … :D …

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Author's Notes:

Uhm ... ok ... I have to admit ... English is not my language by birth ... so ... please do not kill me while reading ... neither for the bad English I use, nor for what I am writing ...

Warning:

Story contains references to child abuse:

Child abuse is a really serious thing, it is an evil thing and there are a lot of children in our world that really would need help without being helped, and closing our eyes and pretending it does not exist – is no solution … handle people, children as well as adults, which are showing any signs – whichever – of once being abused … with understanding and with help …

what does not mean I am not as evil as I pretend to be … ^.~ … believe me – I am …

break … ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ … line

The room of requirement

Chapter five

Another private dialog

Sunday

It was Sunday night and after dinner Snape went – as always the past few days – into the library. He had to admit that he was worried about Potter. The fact that he had not answered his private dialog last night, but had sent a message instead – and one with as much mistakes as there had been in this message, it somehow disturbed him. It was not like Potter. At least not like this Potter.

Granger had said that he sometimes got into trouble with his uncle, that his uncle was not a friendly man.

Adrian had mentioned that Potter was strange when he got back to Hogwarts after the summer holidays. That he seemed to be thinner, tired and scared. As he had put it. And honestly, if he thought back, then he had to agree with Adrian. It never had been apparent to him during the past years, but now as Adrian had mentioned it, he had to admit that the boy was right. Potter was thinner and he really seemed to be tired and jumpy whenever he came back from the summer holidays.

And from Potter himself he knew a few things too, that his relatives didn't like him, that he was not welcomed at home, that he even was hated. Just because he was a wizard.

And well – he knew Petunia after all. He doubted that the woman had changed much over the years.

And last but not least – he himself knew that Potter never got back to his relatives during Christmas holidays. He always stayed at Hogwarts.

So, all in all – he was quite worried a bit when he turned on the computer.

Entering the lumos-net he found a few messages on his profile.

[User slythadrian has added you to his friends list]

[User Hermy has added you to her friends list]

[You have a message from justharry]

Well, he had expected this, and he opened the message from Potter.

'Hi Darkmaster

I'm really sorry because of last night.

It was late, and I was tired. A few things went wrong here. So I just did not feel like talking to anyone.

It wasn't because of you. I would have reacted with Hermy the same way. So, please, don't feel upset. It wasn't meant as an offense. I'm just sorry about it.

And thank you for you adding me to your fl. I really am grateful for this.

Greets

justharry'

Well, that note did nothing to lessen his worries. A few things had went wrong at Potter's home. What kind of things?

And it did nothing to lessen his annoyance as well. Again – Potter had felt the need to apologize. Even if he had already done so last night. And not even last night would it have been necessary. He had done nothing wrong. He had not felt like talking, ok, there was nothing wrong with that and there had been no need to apologize at all.

And now he did so – repeatedly. Twice in this message. He shook his head while he entered the 'room of requirement'.

[Darkmaster enters the room of requirement at 8:47 pm]

founders: hello Darkmaster, nice to see you this evening. *reachingacupofteatoDarkmaster* ... |_|) ...

Hermy: you ARE still very quiet this evening, justharry.

justharry: ^.~

Hermy: hello, Darkmaster, glad you're here

Hermy: is really everything ok, justharry?

justharry: of course, Hermy

Hermy: sure?

justharry: hi Darkmaster. Sorry 'bout last night

Sighing with frustration Snape noticed that Granger sounded quite relieved and that Potter sounded – quite submissive and again he shook his head. The brat had apologized yet again!

Darkmaster: Good evening Hermy. You sound quite relieved, if I might say so.

justharry: just tired, Hermy

Hermy: then go to bed, justharry

Darkmaster: Good evening justharry. There is no need to apologize at all. You did nothing wrong. You did not feel ready for a conversation at all and that is quite well. It is normal that we do not feel like talking all the time. And I did take it for what it was. I did not feel offended. You are well now?

justharry: I will, later Hermy

justharry: sure, Darkmaster

Hermy: I give up, you may try your luck, Darkmaster

justharry: just forget it. What's your problem, Hermy?

Hermy: I do not have a problem. But you do. You are … argh … boys!

justharry: ^.~

Darkmaster chuckles silently

justharry: .oO( … at least one who acts normal … )

Hermy: there – you do it again, justharry

justharry: what?

Hermy: you think

justharry: of course I think, what do you expect?

Hermy: no, I mean you write in a thought bubbly … you always do this when you are … when you … well, you know what I mean

justharry: no, Hermy. I do not know what you mean. But please, just forget it … I am quite fine …

Darkmaster: What about a cup of !tea ? just to smooth ruffled feathers?

founders: here, drink a cup of tea, but careful it's hot … |_|) … don't complain if you burn your tongue …

Darkmaster: !thank you, founders – especially for the warning.

founders: you're welcome, Darkmaster … anytime again …

Darkmaster: Eloquent as always

justharry: *g*

Hermy is rolling her eyes

Hermy: boys!

justharry slurps tea

Darkmaster: Manners, Potter!

justharry: Manners? What are those? Can you eat them?

Darkmaster: Regrettably – no. Otherwise you would have to eat them with a spoon, Potter.

justharry: :-)

[You have opened a private dialog to the user justharry]

Darkmaster: Care for a few words?

justharry: as long as you don't continue what Hermione began

Darkmaster: Granger is right, you ARE strange tonight, Potter.

justharry: maybe

Darkmaster: Has something upset you?

justharry: what do you want?

Darkmaster: I want to talk to you. You seem to be upset.

justharry: why?

Darkmaster: Why what?

justharry: Why would you want to talk to me?

Darkmaster: Why would I not want to? Isn't this the reason for this chat after all?

justharry: sure it is. But there are others

Darkmaster: You do not want me talking to you?

justharry: listen, I'm sorry. I did not mean to offend you. I just had a bad night yesterday and a not too pleasant day today, ok?

Darkmaster: I take it that had been the reason you did not show up in the room last night?

justharry: yes

Darkmaster: Alright. Now, care to tell me what has upset you?

justharry: just my uncle, but that isn't anything new at all

Darkmaster: It seems to be something new, because the past days you did not react as badly as you do today.

justharry: it just was worse last night. Happens every few days, so no, it's nothing new

Darkmaster: What was worse last night?

justharry: nothing worth mentioning

Darkmaster: It surely is worth to be mentioned if it upsets you thus.

justharry: just forget it, ok?

Darkmaster: You might feel better after talking about it.

justharry: I do not want to talk about it. Just forget it. Why would you even care?

Darkmaster: Why should I not care? We talked here every evening since a few days now. We might not be friends, but we are here now.

Sighing and shaking his head Snape got up and poured himself a cup of tea. Well, real tea, not imagined tea. And for a moment he laughed. What had become of him?

With his cup of tea in his hand he went back to the computer. Well, Potter hadn't answered yet and he guessed that he – again – did not know what to say. Well, something told him that – maybe – Adrian had been right. There was more than Granger saw. But why did she not see all that was to be seen there? She was Potter's best friend after all.

justharry: I just don't see why you act like Hermione. There's nothing to worry about

Darkmaster: Nothing to worry about, Potter? You don't show up last night, then you send a message with a lot of spelling mistakes.

Darkmaster: You act strange today, upset. And you say that you had a rough night and a not so pleasant day.

Darkmaster: And then you say there's nothing to worry about?

justharry: yes

justharry: there simply IS nothing to worry about

Darkmaster: Well, ok, then what exactly had been worse last night?

justharry: nothing

Darkmaster: If it is nothing, then you can tell me.

justharry: just forget it

Darkmaster: You should know me better by now, Potter. So, what was worse last night?

Again there was no answer and Snape took a sip of his tea while he waited, wondering what exactly it had been. It could have been everything from headaches over simply being unable to sleep up to nightmares.

Still no answer was there and he shook his head. If it simply had been the brat not being able to sleep, then he would have gone online instead.

Darkmaster: Potter?

But still nothing and he waited another few minutes until his patience ran out and he tried again.

Darkmaster: Potter!

Darkmaster: What was worse last night?

But again, no answer. At least for a minute more. But then …

justharry: the beatings

justharry: that was what was worse last night

Darkmaster: What exactly do you mean?

Darkmaster: Your uncle does beat you? Regularly I take it?

justharry: just don't tell anyone of the others. They do not know about it and I want to keep it that way

Darkmaster: Why did he beat you, if I may ask?

justharry: you won't tell?

Darkmaster: I won't tell. I promise.

justharry: thanks

Darkmaster: You are welcome. So, why DID he beat you?

justharry: *lol*

Darkmaster: Why do you laugh? I do not think this is funny.

justharry: no, it isn't. maybe it's just my sense of humor

Darkmaster: Then you do have quite a strange sense of humor.

justharry: maybe. This way I just ensure that I stay insane. And he beat me, because I did not manage to do all the chores he set

Darkmaster: I see. How worse is it?

Again – there was no answer for quite a few minutes and Snape had to force himself to stay calm and to not berate Potter in the dialog. Potter would answer, he knew. Well, ok, he hoped. But he would not answer if he cornered him. He just did not know what he should write - again. So, he just should wait. He was used to such, after all.

It was not the first time he had such a conversation with a student. Well, it was the first time he had such a conversation with a student that was not in his house. And it was the first time he had such a conversation via keyboard. But otherwise – he was quite used to such conversations. And to waiting.

justharry: I'm fine

Darkmaster: I would like to read the truth, Potter.

justharry: I AM fine

Darkmaster: Try again, Potter. And the truth this time.

Again there was no answer and he only could wait. Again. Taking another sip of his tea he wondered what he should do. If Potter would be in his house, he would go and visit the Dursleys tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, considering what Potter's answer would be. But as it was, Potter wasn't in his house.

Should he ask Albus? Or should he set Minerva on Potter's well being? She was his head of house after all. But would Minerva be able to know what to look for?

Sighing he gazed back at the monitor just the moment Potter's answer appeared.

justharry: I guess you would not really want to know

Darkmaster: I would not ask if I would not want to know.

justharry: why?

Darkmaster: I already gave you the answer, a few lines above.

Darkmaster: And besides, to beat a child is evil. I do dislike such behavior.

justharry: why are you upset now? It is normal, nothing to get upset about

Darkmaster: No, it is not normal. At least it should not be normal. And now I want to know how worse it is.

Again a pause in the conversation.

However, that allowed Snape to think.

Potter showed every sign of abuse. Regularly. At least in this conversation. He was reluctant to admit that he was beaten in the first place, and then he considered it as normal. The only thing missing was that he blamed himself for it. That he exclaimed that he deserved the beatings.

Well, it was missing yet – he was sure it would come up some time soon.

But then again – why had he never seen any signs before? He was used to see them, those signs after all. But Potter never showed any of them. Potter was …

justharry: dunno. How am I supposed to know? It hurts a lot, but I guess that's normal, so what? I guess it is just … dunno

Darkmaster: Does your uncle leave marks?

justharry: hmpf

Darkmaster: I take this as a yes.

Darkmaster: Listen, Potter, I just want to know how worse it is. Maybe there would be a way to help you.

justharry: *lol* … otherwise you are fine, aren't you?

Darkmaster: *smirks* … yes, I am quite fine.

justharry: you can't do anything. What is there to do? And it is just during the holidays anyway. In September I am back at school

Darkmaster: That is no excuse, nor is it an answer. And as I am a bit older, there might be something I could do. There always are ways.

justharry: just forget it. There's nothing. Even Dumbledore knows that something's not ok, and he sends me back every summer

Darkmaster: Did you tell him how worse it is? Did you tell him that your uncle leaves marks?

justharry: 'course. I just tell him, "hey, headmaster, do you know that my uncle beats me to a bloody pulp every few days?" are you crazy?

For a moment it was Snape who did not write back.

This comment of Potter was one written out of anger, and he could quite understand it. And as a spy he knew that a comment made out of anger mostly was the only true answer. But Potter's uncle surely would not beat him into a 'bloody pulp'. Now, would he?

Well, he had to admit, maybe he would. That at least would explain Potter's absence yesterday. As well as the many typing errors in his short message he had sent him.

Darkmaster: That was not meant seriously of you, was it?

justharry: what?

Darkmaster: Your comment about the bloody pulp, I mean.

justharry: huh?

Then there was a pause caused by Potter this time again during which Snape mentally could see Potter re-reading what he had written above, he even could see his shocked face at the realization of what he had given away in his anger.

justharry: oh

justharry: no

justharry: of course not

justharry: just a phrase, or a joke

Darkmaster: ^.~

No reply again – of course not. It had not been just a phrase, nor a joke. He had meant it seriously.

Snape sighed. Holding such a conversation this way – writing – was even more difficult than talking to the children from face to face. Then at least he could see their reaction. And he could use other things like gestures, mimics, his voice, his eyes. He had ways to get what he wanted from them.

Darkmaster: And tonight? Did he beat you tonight as well?

justharry: I guess it's time for bed. I'm still tired

Darkmaster: I take this as a yes. But alright.

Darkmaster: And Potter?

justharry: ?

Darkmaster: Do you need anything? A potion or something? I could send you one.

justharry: oh, I forgot. You like potions

Darkmaster: Indeed.

justharry: yes, a pain reliever would be quite fine, but you wouldn't be able to send me one. My uncle boarded up my window years ago

Darkmaster: Why would he do such?

justharry: well, he hates magic. And thus he hates owls

Darkmaster: I see. Might I ask something of you?

justharry: of course, as long as it has nothing to do with chores. I do not even manage all the work the Dursley set me here

Darkmaster: no, nothing like this.

Darkmaster: I only want to ask of you, if it gets worse, I mean really worse, then send me a message. And stay out of your uncle's way.

justharry: one cannot stay out of Vernon Dursley's ways. That is not possible. And yes, I will send you a message if it gets worse.

justharry: If I'm still able to do then, that is. Night to you, and sleep well.

This time he didn't even care going back to the room of requirement and he turned off his computer. He had to think.

Ok, that had been unexpected. And he was furious.

It might be Potter, the son of his childhood enemy. The one student that annoyed him the most. Harry Bloody Potter. But no matter who he was, no child deserved such. And the mistreatment of Potter seemed to be severe. His uncle not only seemed to leave marks but he seemed to draw blood as well. So, yes – he really was furious. And he even considered visiting number four Privet Drive and the Dursleys.

Right now.

Well, maybe he should visit Albus first.

Taking a handful of the floo powder he threw it into the flames and entered the grate.

"Headmaster's office, Hogwarts." He said, and whispering the password to Albus' office he turned in the grate and then stepped out after arriving at his location.

break … ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ … line

"Severus, my boy. What brings you this way?" Albus asked, his eyes twinkling at him and he knew what the next question would be.

"No, thank you, Albus, I do not want a lemon drop." He said, his voice and his dark eyes serious. "I am here because of Potter."

"Surely he didn't do anything to annoy you during the holidays, Severus?" The headmaster asked.

"Actually, no, he didn't." Snape answered, his eyebrow lifted.

"Then, why do you want to discuss him?" Albus wanted to know, curiosity shown on his face. He decided to come straight to the subject, just as always.

"Did you know, Albus, that the boy is beaten by Dursley?" He thus asked.

"How do you come by this information, Severus?" Albus got to his feet, his face grim now and Snape nearly breathed a sigh of relief. Albus would do something.

"Well, let me say, I have my ways, Albus." He simply said, not ready to give his 'way' away yet. "Did you know about this?"

"No, I did not know, Severus." Albus answered with a sad voice. "Do you know how long?"

"No, Albus. But I know that he is beaten by Dursley at the present time."

"Well, Severus. It might not be so bad …"

"It is, Albus." Snape cut the headmaster off. "And I wish to get Potter out of there." Honestly, what did Albus think? He should know him by now and he should know that he wouldn't come to him with child abuse if a student just got a cuff around the head.

"Severus, that is not possible." The headmaster had the nerve to answer. "And I really insist that you tell me how you came by this information."

"And I can not give you this information if you do not allow me to get Potter out of there." Snape growled and his face darkened.

"There is nothing we can do against it now, Severus." Albus shook his head. "The boy cannot leave his relatives now."

"Albus. Do you get what I tell you?" Snape asked, leaning his hands on the headmaster's table. "The boy is abused by his relatives. He is beaten by them. They do not just leave marks, they even draw blood. And last night the beating even got worse."

"I take it, you are in contact with Harry?" Albus asked, blinking curiously at him.

"I am." Snape huffed at the older wizard.

"Then I ask you to just keep up this contact." Albus even had the nerve to smile at him. "But do nothing else. He cannot leave Privet Drive."

"Stand back and watch. Is it this what you suggest, Albus?" Snape growled darkly at the man.

"Yes, Severus. Have an eye on him. But he has to stay there. The blood wards will keep him safe."

"The blood wards might keep him safe from the Death Eaters, Albus. But they might not keep him safe from his relatives."

"Did he ask you for help?" The headmaster leaned forwards and for a moment Snape really thought about saying yes. "Did he ask you to get him out of his aunt and uncle's house?"

"No, he did not yet." He finally answered, nearly gritting his teeth.

"Then there really is nothing we can do., Severus." The headmaster said, sitting back again in his chair. "The wards would crumble the moment he asks for your help, the moment he himself fears for his life in this house. Then the wards would be useless and he wouldn't be safe there any longer anyway. But as long as he does not take this step, the wards will stay in place and we can do nothing to remove him."

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To be continued

Next time in The room of requirement

Snape tries to find out more

Added author's note

thank you for reading - and yes, I would appreciate it if you took the time to review this chapter too, thank you ...

Reviews:

I do thank Jean and Steve of course for all the reviews given on this story ...

to unneeded: Harry keeps it hidden from his relatives that he's in a chat room? That he has a laptop at all? yes, of course or they would take it from him, don't you think ?? well, I'm sure the moment it is revealed who plainliquid is, you'll smack your head, because in truth, it is so easy while no one so far has solved the riddle before I have revealed it ... :D ... thanks for reading and thanks for the review here ...

to mrs.trabi: it might not be sex related, but well, I think it will go well here too .. we'll see ... thanks for reviewing

to moodysavage: years? then it's time you try it again ... I'm in a chat room for seven years now and it really is a lot of fun ... I'm glad that you seem to really like the story and the outline with the chat, and I only can say - thanks for this review here ...

to jujukitty: yes, tossing Snape into a situation where he has to find out where exactly he is first and then to readjust his views - it's one of my favorite ways of writing a story ... :D ... and I of course will do my best, I promise ... thanks for the review here ...

to heartstar: indeed - but well, admit it, you love it to see him suffer ... thanks for reviewing ...
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the room of requirement