Chapter 1
Watching, Waiting
There had been so much talk of the Dark Lords return since that night at the end of 4th year. Every once in awhile Severus would catch the end of a conversation and realize they were speaking of the incident involving Potter and Diggory. There was also talk of what the Ministry was going to do to get rid of him. However, it was mostly talk of fear of the Dark Lord, but he didn't fear him. He didn't fear anything. Maybe it was because he felt invincible, or perhaps he just figured there would always be someone to protect him when the time came to face his enemy, but now that Black was gone who was left to save the boy?
The room fell into an eerie silence the moment he stepped into the classroom as it always did. He took his seat behind the desk in the front of the room and waited for the students to settle completely before beginning the lesson. "Today, class," Snape began. "We will be making a simple healing potion. The instructions are on page 273. It if it not completed by the end of class you will be joining me this evening in detention to work on it, until you get it right." Snape pulled out a stack of papers and began grading them with a disgusted look on his face. Not too long later there was a loud pop. Snape feared to look up knowing it was probably Longbottom again. Slowly Snape set down his quill and raised his head to see, not Longbottom, but Potter had ruined his potion.
The green eyed boy just stared back at his teacher not knowing exactly what to say. He had never messed up a potion this badly before and couldn't figure out what he had done wrong. When his eyes met those of his Potions Master he froze for a moment then dropped his gaze to the florescent liquid on the table in front of him. After what seemed like hours Snape rose from his seat and walked over to examine the damage done to his class room. Luckily, nothing was destroyed beyond repair.
"Potter, what did you do wrong this time?" His voice was cold as ice and Harry couldn't respond for some reason. It was as if his voice just didn't work so he picked up his things and ran back to Gryffindor tower where he hid under his blankets until the end of the day when Ron and Hermione returned from classes.
"Harry?" Hermione nudged his shoulder trying to get him to say or do something. "Come on, Harry, what's wrong." A muffled sound came from the blankets. "Harry, talk to me, please."
"What's to talk about?" Potter said as he uncovered his head part of the way.
Ron pulled the blanket off Harry's head completely. "There is obviously something wrong, mate. Come on you can tell us, we might be able to help."
Harry groaned as he rolled over to face the two of them. "I'm not sure what happened…..I got distracted." Harry sat up and let his legs fall over the side of the bed.
"Yea, so distracted you missed Malfoy toss this into your cauldron." Ron handed the other boy a small ball shaped object. "Dunno what it is or anything but I bet that's what messed up your potion."
"Yea, probably." Harry turned it over in his hands before dropping it on the floor.
Hermione put her hand on Harry's shoulder and squeezed it slightly. "What were you thinking about that took all of your attention anyway?" She asked.
Harry just stared at the floor for a moment, "I don't really want to talk about it right now." He went into the bathroom and washed his face off then headed down to the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione for dinner.
Harry ate quickly so he could get down to Snapes classroom before anyone else finished eating. He stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath before knocking. There was no doubt in his mind that his Potions Master would be gravely angry with him for running out of the class earlier. He raised his hand and knocked loud enough he could be heard then waited. After a few minutes with no response he knocked again, then slowly pushed the door open.
Potter stepped inside and looked around but couldn't find his teacher anywhere. "Professor?" He called as he closed the door behind him and proceeded to where he normally sat.
Suddenly he found a hand on his shoulder and jumped slightly. "Well, Potter, I didn't think you'd be returning after you display earlier."
"I'm…I'm sorry, Sir. I don't know what …." Harry was cut off by something that sounded like a laugh coming from his teachers mouth.
Snape cleared his throat and turned to look at the somewhat startled Gryffindor in front of him. "I mean, I realize some students are afraid of me, but I have never seen one run from my classroom." The older man laughed again.
"Are you…laughing at me, Professor?" Harry gave him an odd look trying not to laugh himself.
"Of course not, Potter. Now to make up the potion you ruined. Everything is already out on the desk, get to work." Snape walked over to his desk, took out a book and started reading from a random page. He glanced up everyone once in awhile too make sure the boy was still working. He caught himself staring at times and quickly looked back at the page he had been stuck on the whole time he had been there. When he had finally gotten himself to concentrate on the words in front of him he was startled by Potter standing in front of his desk.
"I'm finished, Sir. Can I go back to my common room now?" Harry said as he set the finished potion on the table next to his teacher.
The potions master just stared at him for a moment not sure of exactly what he wanted to say, so he simply waved his hand and sent the boy on his way. "Night, Harry," he called out after the door had closed behind the retreating Gryffindor.
