Harry strode down the marble corridors quickly, wiping his face with the back of his black robe sleeve. Catching a glimpse of himself in the reflection of a passing window, he noticed the blood had reached further across his face than he'd previously imagined. Wiping it off furiously, he stood at the familiar brown door. It was taller than he, and twice as wide, made of wood and black metal etchings. The etchings were a particular pattern, engraved deep into the wood of the door. Harry noticed this as he stood in front of it, hesitantly making sure he looked as normal as possible. He pushed open the creaky door cautiously, trying not to make a sound. Unsuccessful, he sighed and walked silently to his assigned seat, the Professor facing the chalkboard. He slid into his chair next to Hermione, who seemed to not notice his tardiness as she focused all of her attention onto a textbook. The rest of the class, however, seemed more than remotely disturbed, all gawking rudely at Harry, some sniggering quietly.
"Mr. Potter," muttered Professor Snape, his back still facing the students, "How nice of you to join us."
"Sorry Professor, I-"
"I don't want to hear it. You can save your sorry excuses for detention," snarled Snape as he turned to face the boy. He paused in between words, his voice dripping with pure hatred for Potter. Snape turned back to face the board again, murmuring expletives under his breath.
Hermione looked up cautiously from her Potions textbook, checking for signs of movement from the Professor. She turned to Harry, who seemed to be focused on something distant, the unusual emotion in his eyes protected by the silver rims of his glasses.
"Harry," she whispered, "What on Earth happened to you?" She cast her eyes on his robes, torn and bloodied. There was a crack in the lens of his glasses and his cheeks were stained with mud and tears. Harry ignored her, trying to save himself from the signature Granger interrogation.
"For goodness sakes, Harry! Is that blood?" she muttered lowly.
"You look like you've been crying, what's wrong, Harry? What happened?"
"Harry, if he hurt you again, I swear I'll-"
"Just shut it Hermione, I'm FINE," shouted Harry suddenly. Hermione was taken aback, both surprised and offended by his abrupt reaction.
"Potter," boomed Snape from the front of the class. His voice sounded lively; The creases beneath his eyes proving otherwise, "Save your personal conversations for your spare time. Stop interrupting my class. You as well, Ms. Granger." His eyes narrowed as he looked upon the Griffyndor girl.
"Fine," she muttered angrily back at Harry, in short clipped tones, "I was just trying to help but since you are obviously incapable of basic human communication.." Their conversation was suddenly cut short by the final bell of the day. As all the other students stood to leave, Hermione was already out the door and Harry was left in her tracks.