Severus appeared at the gates of Hogwarts and he hurried up to the castle, shifting the unconscious boy to a more comfortable position. He took long brisk strides, the moon shining down at him. The front doors opened for him as he performed a wandless charm and swept inside. He found Minerva McGonagall, a rather strict and ruffled looking woman, waiting for him with her arms crossed."Albus told me to meet you here. What in the world is going on here, Severus?" she asked, not seeing the small body he was holding.

He ignored her and headed for the Hospital Wing, his robes billowing out behind him. Minerva hurried after him. He sighed in exasperation. "That old coot, Dumbledore, sent me to check on the Potter boy," he said. Minerva peered around them, matching her strides to his. "I don't see Harry anywhere," she said after a moment. Merlin help me, Severus thought, annoyed.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm carrying him, Minerva."

She looked in down in his arms to see the small boy he was carrying. She gasped. "What did those Muggles do to him?"

"Lots of things," he replied darkly. As they neared the Hospital Wing, Madame Promfrey hurried over to the pair and gasped as she saw the various bruises and cuts. "What did those Muggles did to him?" she demanded indignantly. And without waiting for his answer, she took him out of Severus's arms and put him onto one of the beds in the Hospital Wing.

"Episkey." Madam Promfrey said briskly, waving her wand over Harry. Immediately the cuts and bruises disappeared.

"Will he be okay?" Minerva asked anxiously, gazing down at the small sleeping body of Harry Potter. Madam Promfrey nodded. "He'll be fine by morning," she reassured her, conjuring up a glass of water and setting it on the small table beside him.

"I'll stay here with him," Severus added, watching the boy. The two women nodded and both left, talking quietly.

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