The Hogwarts express pulled away from the platform for the 4th time as the long journey towards Hogwarts began, the now 14 year old fourth years looked at each other with anticipation, although Harry seemed quieter than normal. Ron hung out the window and waved frantically as the remaining Weasley's on the platform faded into the distance. Hermione rolled her eyes at her friends over dramatic farewell and turned her nose into a textbook.

"Harry, look at this, there's a new broom that will beat even yours" Ron said throwing the quidditch magazine at Harry's face, catching him completely off guard the book smacked Harry in the face and brought him back to the present. Harry instantly glared at him and picked up the magazine "sorry, mate, you were supposed to catch it" he shrugged.

"Sorry Ron, I'm just not awake yet" he said offering Ron a small smile before looking curiously at the magazine.

The door slid open and they were greeted by the trolly witch "anything from the trolly, dears?" she asked and Harry and Ron instantly smirked at each other before opening their mouths to start their order, Hermione rolled her eyes as her two friends purchased half of the entire trolly. Harry smiled happily, the memories of Privet Drive were fading by the second; he was on his way back to Hogwarts and soon the terror of Uncle Vernon and the lack of food would be a distant memory, he sunk his teeth into a chocolate frog and savoured the taste.

"You're both disgusting" Hermione said slapping her textbook down on the seat next to her "it's half past 9 in the morning, we've not even eaten breakfast yet" she said and Ron shrugged.

"Who cares, Hermione, stop being a bore" he said being met instantly by her glare.

"What did you get up to this summer, Hermione?" Harry asked to change the subject quickly before they ended up fighting.

"I went to Italy for a week with my parents to study the history and the language, it was amazing" she said dreamily as the memories of authentic Italian cooking and old buildings flashed through her mind.

"Hola!" Ron said.

"That's Spanish, Ronald" she replied rolling her eyes.

"I know, I'm winding you up" he said throwing a chocolate frog at her.

"What about you, Harry?" she asked ignoring the chocolate.

"I just stayed home like normal" he shrugged, he didn't really want to talk about his summer, if he could he would obliviate himself and pretend it never happened.

All three of them turned around as the door slid open again and Malfoy appeared with his two henchmen standing either side of him. "What do you want, Malfoy?" Ron snapped instantly and Malfoy sniggered.

"Oh how disappointing, boys" he said addressing his henchmen "the three musketeers have returned to grace us with their stupidity for another year" he said grinning at his insult as his two friends laughed supportively.

"Considering Hermione gets the highest grade in every class, if she's stupid what does that make you?" Harry asked getting to his feet and Malfoy instantly looked lost for what to say, his face grew angrier as he eyed Harry but it was obvious Harry wasn't planning on backing down.

"That shut you up, didn't it?" Ron asked.

"Oh shut up, Weasley" he snapped "anyway I just stopped by to let you know my father has, again, supplied the Slytherin team with new broom sticks and we look forward to competing with you in the near future" he said smugly.

"Well it's a shame your father can't buy talent because then maybe we would have something to compete against" Harry sneered and again Malfoy was taken aback.

"Powerful brooms none of you can control? Thank your Dad for making it easier for us this year" Ron said smirking.

"Well at least I have a parent to buy me things" he said "you both look like you've been living rough for the entire summer" he said his voice laced with disgust, they hadn't yet changed into their robes and were still in casual clothes.

"Oh bog off, Malfoy!" Harry snapped instantly feeling self-conscious, his clothes were too big for him after losing weight and stained after a summer of chores and he instantly felt self-conscious.

"Hit a nerve, Potter? No wonder" he scoffed watching as Harry grew uncomofrtable.

"INCOMING!" A cry shouted and a ball of black liquid exploding over Malfoy's head, he instantly let out a cry and they all dived for cover, except for Ron, he knew exactly what was going on.

"Oh sorry, Draco" Fred said appearing from further down the carriage.

"We didn't see you" George said catching up, Ron had to fight the urge to laugh as the blonde Slytherin stood there coated in thick, black liquid.

"What is this?" he demanded "it stinks"

"Our latest experiment" George said proudly.

"It's basically a very smelly water balloon" Fred explained and Ron finally burst out laughing, he had plenty of experience with this invention over the summer and he knew first-hand how long the smell would take to fade.

"My suit is ruined!" Malfoy shouted.

"Get daddy to buy you a new one?" Ron teased.

"My father will hear about this" he hissed.

"Great, while you're complaining thank him for the brooms" Ron smiled and the blonde let out a defeated cry before turning and banging right into a larger, black figure.

"Move!" he shouted but his eyes instantly grew wide when he looked up to see Professor Snape watching him, his facial expressions showed he was less than amused.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded crinkling his nose at the disgusting scent.

"It was all them, they attacked me!" Malfoy cried and his two goons nodded in agreement.

"Potter!" he hissed "why is it whenever something goes wrong you're to blame?" he sneered.

"It wasn't me, Sir" Harry tried explaining but he was instantly cut enough.

"Enough! I don't want to hear your simple minded excuses" he hissed, even the sight of Harry Potter made his blood boil, he just saw the spawn of James Potter arrogantly looking back at him and to make matters worse this was the amplified version of James potter; he was famous, pampered at school and no doubt a spoiled brat at home, the thought made him sick.

"Honestly, Professor Snape, it was us" Fred said but Snape held his hand up and instantly silenced the boy "we created it over the summer"

"I do not care for your lies, Weasley" he said coldly, gesturing the twins should return to their own seats. Although deep down he knew it was the twins he couldn't help himself but take it out on Harry. "Potter, you will serve detention with me, tonight after the welcome feast" he said.

"But, Sir! It's the first night back" he cried out.

"I'd shut up now, Potter, before you find yourself in my presence tomorrow night as well" he threatened and Harry instantly grew quiet, he had been counting down the days to be freed from Privet Drive but this train ride wasn't turning out to be much better; he still found himself in trouble and being punished when he hadn't done anything wrong. Snape turned and walked away.

"You alright, mate?" Ron asked and Harry nodded.

"I can't do anything right" he sighed looking out the window.

"Just ignore the greasy bat, that's why he stays in the dungeon out the way" Ron scoffed.

"Weasley!" Snape barked appearing in the doorway again "for that remark you will join Mr Potter tomorrow night for detention and wear something old and by the looks of it that won't be that hard" he scoffed looking them up and down before turning on his heel and stomping back towards his slytherins.

The rest of the train ride was spent in silence, Harry became lost in his own thoughts, it was obvious that was a Weasley prank; for a start Harry wouldn't know how to create something like that, Snape knew he was rubbish at potions and that he lived with muggles so wouldn't have the ingredients. His blood started to boil at how much he hated Snape, if only that man wasn't so arrogant and knew what Harry's life was really like, but then again he probably wouldn't care. Finally they arrived at Hogwarts and surprisingly the second Harry pulled up at the familiar train station Snape was forgotten and the ball of excitement in his stomach had returned; after a summer of torture Snape wasn't ruining the one day that had been keeping him going.

. . .

The welcome feat was loud and the hall was alive with excitement, Harry sat with Ron and Hermione on either side of him but he found his eyes kept constantly finding Ginny's who was sitting slightly further down the table, he offered her a smile but she turned away shyly almost knocking her drink over the girl next to her, Harry laughed quietly to himself.

"I'm sorry we got you in trouble" Fred said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it, he would have found another excuse to have a go even without the water balloon" he replied with a small smile, he had almost forgotten about his detention with Snape, he looked up to see the potions master was watching him with a cold shark-like glare, he instantly glared back before turning and continuing his conversation, Snape wasn't getting to ruin this meal for him.

"Yeah he really has it in for you, mate" George said "even for Snape that was brutal" he said sadly and Harry nodded.

"I'm used to it" he shrugged taking a bite of his chicken but he felt sick, he wasn't used to eating this much food and the different spices and acidity of the tomato soup starter had made him feel sick, he pushed his plate away and sipped his water.

"You're not eating anymore?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head and sighed, he should have known she would nag instantly "I'm not hungry, I've hit that tired stage" he said lying.

"You'll need your energy for detention" she reminded him but he shook his head, if he ate anymore he would be using one of Snape's cauldrons as a sick bucket.

"Maybe he'll let us out early since it's the first night?" Ron asked hopefully.

"I doubt it, he has had a full summer to regain his energy to use against helpless students" Fred teased and Ron glared. Harry looked back up at the teachers table but Snape was gone, he sighed checking the time and seeing he only had 15 minutes before his attention was due to start, this was the worst first day back ever.

. . .

At exactly 6:30pm Harry and Ron knocked on the dungeon door, it was cold and Harry instantly regretted not wearing more layers. "Enter" Snape shouted and they pushed the large door open, the potions master stood up from the desk and made his way gracefully towards where the two boys stood. "I see you have learned how to tell the time" he mocked but surprisingly neither of them took the bait. "Weasley I want you to make your way into the cupboard and remove all the vials, clean the shelves and replace everything exactly as you found it" he ordered and Ron had to fight back a sigh before dragging himself over to the cupboard "Potter, scrub the cauldrons" he ordered and Harry frowned, how did Ron get the easy job when he had insulted a professor and he did absolutely nothing wrong and Snape knew that?

"Problem, Potter?" Snape asked.

"Why does Ron get the easy job?" Harry asked, his tone was surprisingly calm but assertive.

"Are you questioning my ability to hard out appropriate punishments?" Snape threatened closing in on the boy but Harry instantly took a step back, he knew better now than to let an adult get in his space. Snape noticed and smirked proudly, he could still intimidate the Potter boy if he needed to. "Self-centred like your father, now get to work!" He snapped before turning and heading back towards his desk.

Harry began scrubbing the cauldrons aggressively completely forgetting Snape and Ron were in the room, what had he ever done to Snape? He knew he had accused him of things in first year but it was Snape's attitude that had caused him to think it in the first place, he obviously hated Harry more than any other student and Harry didn't know what he had done and it only made him angrier.

His body ached from his most recent 'punishment' and he tried to block it out but with every scrubbing motion the pain was shooting through his entire back and making him feel sick, he slowed his rhythm ever so slightly but it didn't help. He finished the first cauldron and moved it over to the station, he flinched as his small frame lifted the heavy metal bowl but he was too angry to care, Snape rolled his eyes at the dramatics, it's a cauldron, Potter, not an elephant.

There was a smash from inside the cupboard and he heard Snape curse under his breath before quickly stomping over to see what Ron was doing, he allowed himself a quick look before slumping against the desk for a breather.

"It's not like I meant it sir!"

"Don't speak back to me!"

"I'm not…"

"10 points from Gyrffindor!"

Harry heard the footsteps of Snape returning and he instantly jumped to it and continued to scrub the second cauldron but the pain was seeping through his back so much he was struggling to breathe, all of a sudden he felt the overwhelming urge to vomit and before he could stop himself he threw up inside the cauldron.

"For Merlin's sake, Potter!" Snape shouted storming over to the crime scene.

"I'm sorry, Sir" Harry said but the room was spinning, he slumped against the side of the desk.

"Did you stuff your face too much in the great hall? Disgusting" he scolded but Harry didn't argue back, he felt too sick. "People out there are starving and you and Weasley by the looks of it are trying to devour whole chickens! Deserves you right!" he shouted but a knock on the door distracted him.

"Enter!" he shouted before turning back to Harry "Clean that up, Potter and then sit down and drink some water" he ordered. "What is it, Miss Granger?" he asked and Hermione appeared at the door of the classroom, she instantly eyed Harry with concern but he didn't look at her, he knew eating so much was a bad idea and he couldn't help but blame himself.

"Professor McGonagall has asked for your Gryffindor students report cards from last year, can I please collect them to return to her?" she asked and he nodded.

"Don't move" he ordered before disappearing into another room.

The room fell to silence for a second as Hermione watched Harry and Ron; Ron just seemed angry about having to do extra work but Harry looked more defeated and she instantly became worried something bigger than Snape was bothering him.

"Well well well" Malfoy said appearing in the door with a smirk "if it isn't the worlds ugliest house elves and their mud-blood pet" he joked.

"Shut up, Malfoy or you're dead" Ron threatened stepping out of the cupboard but Draco just laughed.

"What do you want? You shouldn't be in here" Hermione stated but Draco rolled his eyes.

"I thought you would be interested in what I found" he said holding out a small black box.

"What is it?" Hermione asked as Harry and Ron moved closer to the item eying it with curiosity.

"I don't know, you're supposed to be the intelligent one" he hissed and she raised an eyebrow completely bemused at his tone, they all gathered around the box eying it with caution and prodding it.

Snape reappeared in the doorway "Draco…what…no!" he shouted running over to them and with a bang they the potions class was blurring into the distance and Harry could feel his vision becoming wobbly as he grew disorientated. Harry felt as though he was being sucked through a never ending spinning tube before finally he hit the ground with a thud, he closed his eyes as the dizzying sensation took over.

. . .

"Malfoy what did you do?" Ron shouted, he was completely panicked running his fingers through his hair.

"It wasn't me!" he shouted back defensively.

"It was your box!" Ron shouted.

"Where did you get that, Draco?" Snape asked, his tone was serious but lacked its usual sarcastic coating.

"I found it outside and I was bringing it to you, what is it?" he asked curiously.

"An irreversible portkey" Snape said, his voice was dry.

"Wait…so we can't use it to get back?" Hermione asked her eyes widening as she kneeled protectively over Harry's unconscious body.

"Well done, Miss Granger, you have stated the obvious" Snape snapped and she frowned "wake him up" he ordered and she gently shook Harry who stirred and flinched.

"Stop 'Mione" he groaned before sitting up "where are we?" he asked.

"Your guess is as good as mines, Potter" Snape said dryly.

"Can't you apparate back and get help?" Hermione asked.

Snape was silent for a moment and it was clear he was deep in concentration, after a moment he frowned and looked around in confusion "I can't…" he said totally bewildered "lumos" he said flicking his wand but nothing happened. "Somebody try and cast a spell" he ordered and Hermione muttered a few words but nothing happened, the three boys looked around concerned and followed the same instruction but again nothing happened.

"Why aren't the wands working?" Ron asked.

"It seems we have landed in an area where magic is ineffective" Snape said quietly, almost to himself, he watched as Harry slumped back down onto the ground, his back was too sore to stand for any longer "now is not the time for a rest, you lazy fool" Snape hissed.

"I'm really tired, Sir" Harry said pathetically.

Severus looked around and composed himself, of all the people he could be stuck in the middle of a forest with it had to be the golden trio and Draco Malfoy; he clenched his eyes shut and mentally drew together a plan. "Okay, we will walk until we find shelter and we will settle for the night and then find our way home tomorrow" he said calmly.

"How are we going to do that?" Ron demanded.

"I don't know, Weasley" he snapped before turning on his foot and walking deeper into the forest, the four students ran to catch up knowing they were safer if they stayed with Snape as horrible as that sounded.

They walked quickly through the woods to the point Harry and Hermione were almost jogging to keep up with the longer legs and to Harry's despair they showed no signs of slowing down, he could hear Snape muttering under his breath and although he couldn't work out what he was saying he could tell the man was angry, he held his body close and breathed his way through another dizzy spell; suddenly he could feel how empty his stomach had become and his body was aching.

"'Mione" he said halting to a stop and she instantly turned and looked at him with wary eyes.

"What is it, Harry?" she asked concerned.

"Don't feel well" he mumbled before falling to his knees.

"Potter!" Snape shouted "Now is not the time for dramatics"

"Sir, I honestly don't think he's being dramatic" she said defensively and for a second he looked concerned.

"What is it, Potter?" he asked the anger in his voice now completely erased.

"I feel sick" Harry said clenching his stomach.

"We need to keep walking, Potter before it gets too dark to see" Snape said almost apologetically and Harry nodded understanding, they weren't safe outside and he couldn't put his friends at risk. He finally struggled to his feet and staggered behind them, he mentally thanked Snape for noticeably slowing down to make it easier on him. After another 20 minutes the dizzy spells returned and he had nothing else to give, the trees around him spun violently for one final time as his body hit the ground with a thud.

"Potter" Snape shouted running back; his voice was filled with concern as he crouched over the small boy.

"He did tell you he wasn't well and you didn't care!" Ron shouted and Snape shot a glare at him but Ron wasn't fazed. But what did shock him was when his much hated potions master scooped Harry into his arms and began carrying him through the words. "What are you doing to him?" Ron demanded defensively chasing after the professor.

"Stop it, Ron!" Hermione shouted chasing after him; she knew what Ron's temper was like especially when it came to the potions master.

Snape stopped and swung around fiercely "Well I'm not going to leave him on the forest floor to get eaten and if we stay still we'll either freeze to death or become dinner now move!" Snape ordered and the three of them nodded and kept walking.

After another 10 minutes of trekking through the thick trees a small cave came into view and they all sighed with relief. Snape's body was beginning to ache as he still carried Harry in his arms, the body was fast asleep and Snape could tell by his pale complexion the boy was exhausted and he felt guilty for not paying more attention.

"I'm not going in there" Draco protested grounding to a halt.

"Good, you can stay out here out the way" Ron said and Draco glared instantly at him.

"Watch it, Weasley" he threatened "I'm not going in there because it's dirty and there are spiders" he said to Snape but Snape wasn't interested, however Ron's eyes grew wide at the mention of spiders.

"Well if you want to stay out here on your own, Mr Malfoy, be my guest" he said and Draco's eyes grew wide with shock, he wasn't expecting that reply.

"But it's a cave!" he cried.

"What were you expecting? A five star hotel?" Hermione asked slightly disgusted at the boy's attitude and he shot her a glare.

"It's only for one night now move" Snape ordered and they all made their way into the cave quietly, Snape lay Harry down on the ground and began rummaging in his bag, he pulled out two large bottles of water and passed them to the students that took them eagerly, luckily his bag was bigger on the inside and it contained enough water to keep them going for a few days and a blanket which he draped over Harry.

"Where are you going?" Draco demanded as Snape made his way to the cave entrance.

"To get wood for a fire" he replied.

"I'll help" Draco offered not wanting to be left with the golden trio, especially since he couldn't hex them.

"No, you're staying here where it's safe I'll be back in a minute" he said "now there will be no fighting" he said seriously and they all nodded before sitting down on the cave floor. Hermione cuddled into Ron and almost instantly fell asleep. Ron however remained awake and was staring cautiously at Draco, he didn't trust the blonde and he wasn't going to turn his back on him, especially when they were exposed and tired. Draco seemed to have a similar idea and sat at the opposite side of the cave watching Ron. Harry stirred ever so slightly and kicked the blanket off. Ron sighed and tried to move to put it back over his friend but he was stuck below Hermione.

"I'll do it" Draco said getting to his feet and moving over towards Harry, he gently dropped the blanket over the boy and returned to where he had previously been sitting.

"Thanks" Ron mumbled awkwardly. He watched as the blonde boy lay down and his eyes began to close and he knew at this moment in time Draco wasn't a threat and he finally decided it was time to stop fighting sleep and get some rest because who knew what the next day was going to bring.

Snape reappeared in the cave carrying pieces of wood and instantly his eyes grew wide, he was expecting the four students to have killed each other or at least some blood to have been shed but they were all fast asleep. He placed the wood in the middle of the cave and started building a fire quietly so he didn't wake them up, if they were asleep at least he was getting some peace and quiet. Once the fire was burning he lay down next to Harry knowing if the boy was sick during the night he would need to help him whether he wanted to or not, he closed his eyes and slowly began to fall asleep hoping this was just one big nightmare.

Okay so there's the first chapter of a brand new story! I have this story mapped out entirely and I think it could be quite a few chapters long! Although "An Unlikely Family" is my main priority this idea had been eating away at me begging to be written up and I just had to get it out my head!

Review if you can!