Alright my dear readers I have decided to reload my first story I ever wrote. It was the original to Surprises and Redemption. I figured I might as well keep it up as the other version became more different then I expected. Obviously their will still be similarities between the stories. I have gone through and edited this so it should be much better then the first.

Side note this story closely mirrors momma-dar's A Chance at Normal. I had no intention of that happening but after I read her stories I loved them and I geuss they stuck with me. I highly suggest you read her work they are much better then mine.

ideas were also sparked thanks to Finding Yourself by Slytherinsela.

This story is now called Embracing Inner Strength I hope you don’t mind me reloading it.

Chapter one

Return to Hogwarts.

“Avada Kedavra!” and just as a jet of green light issued forth from the 13 inches of yew wood with a phoenix feather core. A young man woke suddenly and found himself covered in a cold sweat. He was tangled up in his bed sheet and was currently located on the hardwood floor of his bedroom, he had the sinking feeling he had screamed. Now when normal people especially children wake up screaming from a night mare they can easily expect to be comforted by a loving hug and maybe a mug of hot chocolate. Harry Potter how ever was not like every other child for one he was a wizard currently awaiting his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also was not normal in the fact his closest living relatives the Dursleys hated him. Petunia Dursley was Lily Potter’s sister and Harry had been deposited on there doorstep for them to raise.

Harry listened warily for his uncle Vernon’s footsteps, and just when he thought he had gotten away with his latest nightmare he heard the heavy steps and the key in the locks on his door. Harry stared up at his uncle’s beet red face for a few seconds until Vernon’s large meaty fist slammed into Harry’s face. The beating continued for several minutes until Vernon was exhausted and breathing hard he exited the room leaving Harry on the bedroom floor lying in an ever widening pool of blood. “What a birthday present”1 was all he thought of as he slipped into unconsciousness.

He awoke tired and sore he headed into the bathroom to inspect the damage from his uncle’s latest beating. He got quite a shock when he looked in the mirror. His hair had grown down to his shoulders and instead of being the usual tangled mess it was soft, sleek, and slightly curly. His face however showed just how badly Vernon had beaten him. His cheeks and forehead were covered with bruises and lacerations his lower lip was swollen with a seeping tear in it, his left eye was swollen but he could still see marginally out of it, from the pain in his chest as he breathed he knew he had some bruised ribs. “All in all it could be worse” he thought “at least I can still walk.” He contemplated staying in his room all day but he knew if he didn’t get every single chore on this list his aunt gave him each morning done, he would get another beating from Vernon.

He tried to get through everything but it appeared that today was just not his day. Uncle Vernon came home early and yelled at him “you got me fired you ungrateful, filthy, swine. I know you did it you and those freaky friends of yours. It’s all your fault.”

Harry knew that no such thing had occurred; Vernon’s case against Harry was even less believable if you knew that Vernon Dursley was roaring drunk by 3 on most days and noon on others when something unusual happens. Harry knew what was coming even before it did. His uncle ran forward hollering about Harry ruining everything. Vernon started hitting Harry until Harry collapsed in a heap on the floor then Vernon started kicking him. He felt the already bruised ribs crack and his breathing became more difficult. This was continued forever this was definitely the worst beating yet. As Harry felt himself sink closer and closer to darkness. He reached out with his mind toward anyone he could find, he didn’t know what made him try it telepathy was a rare gift even among wizards. He was doubly shocked when he got an answer and when he figured out who had answered his call.

“Potter,” said the cold voice of his potions master, “what in the world are you doing. 2”

“Help, professor… Uncle beating me… Help… Dumbledore… please.” He knew he wasn’t making a lot of sense but he could not fight the blackness any more he passed out hoping Snape would help him.

Meanwhile back at Hogwarts…

A man in billowing black robes was almost running up to the headmaster’s office. While he didn’t like Potter no scratch that he loathed him he wasn’t about to sit back and let the boy get beat.

“Albus!” he shouted when he reached the confines of the headmaster’s office. Snape knew just because no one was there did not mean he could not get a hold of Dumbledore.

“What is it Severus,” asked the old headmaster as he came into his office through the fireplace with the use of floo powder.

“Potter is in trouble we have to get him out of there,” Snape said quickly.

“What do you know Severus,” asked Dumbledore as they raced to get to a break in the apparition blocks.

“Potter himself contacted me in my office he called to my mind; he said something about his uncle beating him. Then the connection ended I think he may have passed out.” While Snape told Dumbledore what had happened Dumbledore stopped at Minerva McGonagall’s office and asked her to accompany them.

The three professors apparated once they were safely beyond the wards at Hogwarts, they arrived behind a large pine tree at number 4 privet drive. They walked to the front door, their hands not far from there wands. Dumbledore knocked on the door not receiving an answer he used Alohomora, the unlocking charm to open the door. The three stepped inside; the sight that met their eyes was shocking and ghastly. The three professors were speechless gazing at the lurid sight in front of them. They found a large pool of blood on the living room floor. They followed blood spatters until they came to the padlocked cupboard under the stairs. A few swift Alohomoras later they opened the door. The boy that was in front of them was no longer recognizable as the boy who lived. His face was swollen and bruised every inch of exposed skin was covered with dried clotted blood. Harry was bound and gagged there was no one else in the house.

“Severus, please take Harry back to Hogwarts,” asked headmaster Dumbledore. “Minerva comes with me, we must find the Dursleys they have a lot to answer for.”

Dumbledore’s tone spurred them into action. Snape carefully picked up Harry as gently as he could. “Albus,” he said in a shocked voice. “He can not weigh more then a hundred pounds.”

“Then take him quickly get him to Pomfrey,” answered Dumbledore.

Snape did exactly that and as he apparated out of the Dursleys house McGonagall and Dumbledore searched for there whereabouts.

Harry’s POV

Harry woke suddenly as Snape stumbled a bit after apparating. When he looked up to see who was carrying him he was shocked to see Snape. “Professor?” he asked silently because his lips were too swollen to talk.

“Potter it’s ok I have you and Dumbledore and McGonagall are tracking down your relatives,” answered Snape in the same manor.

“No,” Harry screamed into Snape’s mind. “Don’t you see if they do anything to the Dursleys it will prove my uncle’s point that all magic is bad?”

“You may have a point once I get you to Pomfrey I will call them back. Now can you tell me where most of the pain is.” He asked.

“Mainly my ribs and left arm, my lower back and legs are kind of numb, I probably can’t stand.” Harry answered clinically.

They were finally at the Hogwarts entrance hall “Pomfrey! Madame Pomfrey!” Snape called the resident medi-witch.

“What is it now Severus, Oh lord. Is that no it can’t be.” Her voice was shacking with emotion.

“Yes Poppy its Potter.” Snape said using the witch’s first name.

“Bring him quickly.” She ordered.

Snape followed her into the hospital wing and set Harry down on a bed. He helped her get Harry’s muggle clothing off with the use of a switching charm he put him in the soft hospital garb. They both gasped at Harry’s bare chest it was cut and bruised with every rib clearly showing.

“Potter when was the last time you ate?” inquired Snape.

“Few days ago I guess I am not sure how long I was out.” Harry answered, his voice echoing his struggle to remain conscious.

“Sleep Potter you are safe we will take care of you I already contacted Dumbledore he is on his way.” Snape said his voice missing the usual malice.

“Thank you professor,” Snape felt Harry’s mind recede into unconsciousness.

“Poppy,” Snape asked, “how bad is it.”

“It is pretty bad,” Madame Pomfrey answered. “He has several broken ribs his left humorous is cracked and his right wrist is dislocated. His back is the worst part he has considerable nerve damage. I can start the healing but I cannot complete it Harry must give himself time to heal he will not function properly for awhile. He has a lot of superficial lacerations and bruising.” While Pomfrey explained the injuries she was working furiously to heal the various wounds, it took a long time but finally a simple scouring charm cleared Harry of all the dried blood.

Once Harry was clean they noticed what had been previously overlooked. Harry’s features were altering, his skin was paler and his cheeks more sunken, the cheek bones more defined, his hair had changed to, it was not as unruly as it had been and there was definitely a reddish tint to it. It wasn’t much of a change so they put it off to not being aloud outside, poor nutrition and just plain growing up. They left Harry alone to get some sleep Snape returned to the dungeons and Madame Pomfrey went back to her office.

Words in italics are Harry’s thoughts

Bold italics are professor Snape’s thoughts