CHAPTER TWO

"Harry, what is going on with you?"

Hermione and Ron had found Harry sitting outside in the dark, letting the breeze dry his tears When Hermione spoke, he looked up at her, face tear-stained and looking upsey.

"I'm sorry...that shouldn't have happened."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ron asked.

"Tell nobody," Harry cautioned. Noticing the confusion on Ron's face, he added in a slight mutter, "They beat me."

Hermione gasped.

"They beat you?"

Instantly, she was down next to Harry, embracing him. Ron knelt down as well. "Harry, mate, why didn't you tell us?"

"I was...afraid, I guess."

"You shouldn't be afraid. We're your best friends, we're here to help," Hermione assured him.

The three of them sat there in silence and listened to the waves of the lake. It was only their first day back to school, and already, it was becoming a nightmare. They had wanted to go to Gryffindor tower, but Hermione, being a prefect, had yet to recieve the password from Professor McGonagall, seeing as she left the Great Hall in a hurry. After a while, Ron looked down to his watch. "Blimey! We've been out here for two hours! Nobody even came to look for us?"

"Guess again, Mr. Weasley."

Ron didn't even have to turn his head, as he knew that voice.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter, for that rude outburst in the Great Hall. I expected better from you."

"But Professor Snape, it -"

"Ms. Granger, do you intend to talk back to a professor?"

Hermione closed her mouth, gaining the reply, "As I thought."

"Now," Snape began, "Why is it that the three of you are out here, on a cold night, alone?"

Harry gulped, "Sorry, sir. It was my fault. They only came to comfort me after my..."

"Your what?"

Harry had no idea what to say. "My...outburst."

"Yes, well, sorry or not, you are not supposed to be out here. You all should have detention tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night? But it's the first day back!" Ron blurted out.

Snape eyed him menacingly, "You will serve detention. My classroom, eight o'clock. Understand?"

The three nodded, and Snape walked away. Harry heaved a sigh, "Detention within the first three hours of being here. This is sad." Ron nodded, as did Hermione. Within moments, they stood up, and made their way toward Gryffindor tower. Upon entering the common room, silence spread over. Everybody was staring, afraid of what to say to Harry. Finally, Dean came forward.

"I'm sorry about what I said to you."

Harry shrugged, "It's okay, I was in a bad mood."

"So what happened?" Lavender Brown piped up.

"The usual. Snape found us and gave us detention," Ron told her.

Everybody gaped, and Lavender replied, "On the first day? Is he allowed to?"

"Apparently so, because he did."

Harry and Ron quickly went up to the boys' dormitory, and plopped down on their beds. Ron was beginning to become a little curious, and finally turned to Harry, asking, "So when did it start?"

"Years ago," he replied, almost in a whisper. "But it didn't get bad until this summer. Dudley accused me of destroying his favourite book. God knows, I didn't even think he could read! Probably can't, just used it to trouble me. Anyway, Uncle Vernon was not so ineterested in having the family freak taking charge and making decisions. As if I'd decide to burn a book, and as Dudley would care! Uncle Vernon hit me. Most of the bruises are underneath my clothes, he wanted nobody to see. The one on my head, I don't even think he realized it was there."

"Mate...I'm so sorry," Ron replied, feeling bad.

"Don't be sorry. Just forget about it, okay?"

Ron nodded. He didn't want another outburst from Harry.

"If it helps, I'm here for you."

Harry smiled, "Thanks. It does help."