An unwilling damsel by Joy

A/N: I make Professor Snape an okay guy in my story. So sue me.

A/N2: Bullying in this chapter.

Untapped power misdirected

2.

Harry Potter observed the Weasleys' at great length in the coming days. They were a unit…the four that remained attending Hogwarts. There were more messages from home as well as the older brothers and the messages came more often. Ron seemed absolutely incensed with Dumbledore and ironically it seemed to be Professor Snape that calmed him the most. Nothing in the world was as it should be.

For Harry's part he was at the youngest Weasley's side at practically every hour of every day that was permitted. Ginny didn't seem to mind, care or even notice. But with Harry near by Ron began to calm a bit and the twins felt easier with being apart a bit more. Hermione and much of the staff found Harry's attentions to Ginny and her obliviousness to that fact at the present time a grand irony due to her former infatuation with Mr. Potter, and his state of denial at the time.

Unfortunately for Harry he had begun to dream each night Ginny was beside him snuggling or talking to him…each night that was the way his brain seemed to unroll the trials of the day. The odd part was she wasn't a teenager. She was older…closer to him somehow. He knew it was her, but he also knew it was not her by the same token. Each morning he felt the need to be with Ginny anew and so day in and day out he was…no explanation sought.

A couple weeks into this habit, Harry waited for Ginny outside her potions class to walk her on to Greenhouse when he noticed everyone in the class had left but Ginny. He opened the door to see Professor Snape leaning over her as she cried rubbing her back in slow circles. Both looked up quickly at the sound of the door. Harry had never felt such white-hot anger and jealousy in the same moment before. The air around him became charged as it did on occasion at his Aunt's house when people (Aunt Marge) started in on his parents. Ginny's eyes snapped up to meet Harry's with fear and embarrassment before she bolt from the room. "Ginny!" he called but she didn't stop. He knew better than to follow at a time like this. He might inadvertently hurt her… he would rather hurt Snape.

Harry turned back to his teacher glaring, "What did you do?"

"Watch your tone Potter!" Snape said in a low warning. The child before him possessed powers untapped that seemed harder for him to control in moments of anger. This was one of those moments.

"Oh, I think not. If you are doing something to her, I will find out about it. I don't care who you are… I don't know what my father ever saw in you he thought was worth saving," Harry growled. "You stay away from my girl."

Professor Snape blinked a few times as if for once he was able to separate his animosity for the son of James 'bloody' Potter and the young man that stood before him with Lily's eyes (at least when he wasn't protecting him from certain death.) "Potter," Snape began in a gentle tone. "Miss Weasley is in great pain right now. And if she truly is 'your girl' then perhaps it would be wise to discern between those who wish her harm and those that are concerned for her."

Harry paused, the charged air calming, as he stared at his potions teacher, "There are those that wish to harm her?" Professor Snape nodded a couple times, much in the way Dumbledore would. "Why?"

"Harry…she is very innocent, is she not?"

"Yes."

"Some people want to take innocence by force and some want to punish innocence for speaking up."

Now if Harry hadn't been such a thick headed young man he would have memorized the words to ask Hermione what the hell it meant but he was a thick head and very confused. "Thank you Professor Snape. I know I haven't said that to you but on more than one occasion I have owed you a debt of thanks. This is one of those times."

"You are welcome Mr. Potter."

As the young man began to leave Professor Snape called, "Harry?"

"Hmmm?"

"It is wise for you to continue to walk Miss Weasley to class. I will be sure to let your other Professors know that you may be late to class due to errands you are running for me."

Harry blinked rapidly. "Thank you sir."

Snape nodded at Harry leaving him more confused than he had when he entered the room.

Harry went to Ginny's class only to discover she had never arrived. Harry pulled out his map only to discover that some Slytherin blokes had Ginny trapped in the corridor one over. He rushed over shouting at them, "Get the bloody hell away from her you pathetic gits." The guys were in Ginny's year and were too afraid of the great Harry Potter to do anything but run away; especially when they could feel the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end. Harry ran after them to make note who they were.

Ginny slid down the wall she had been cornered at taking deep breaths. She would not cry. She would not cry, the voice in her head repeated. Harry would protect her and she would not cry.

Harry came along side her and gathered her into his arm. " 'd he tell you?" Ginny asked.

"Professor Snape told me to continue to walk you to class because there are those that wish to harm you. He was unwilling to say more than that." Harry stayed silent so Ginny could explain what was happening but she didn't.

"Can we just go back to the common room?" she asked quietly.

"Sure," he responded.

Once Ginny was situated in front of the hearth sipping some tea he brought her, Harry devised a plan of action. He had waited patiently for Ginny to wash and return to the common room in comfortable clothes. Seeing Ginny in one of Ron's old sweatshirts and a pair of jeans was causing some odd reactions in his system. She looked like a girl…like a hot teenage girl…not Ron's little sister. God help him. And what was with him calling Ginny 'his girl' anyway?

Harry knew that line of thinking would only cause problems so he concentrated on the plan- he would attempt to talk to Dumbledore and Ron about the afternoon. He would try to find out the precipitating events to this situation. He would ask Ginny to lie next to him tonight again. He would… 'What the bloody hell was that?' Harry thought in horror. 'This is Ginny…Ginny Weasley.'

Harry stood up shaking his head and strode over to Ginny. "Alright there Harry?" she asked quizzically.

"Yeah. Just a lot on my mind… You'll be okay here for a bit?"

"You don't have to baby-sit me Harry. You have a life to get back to," she said turning back to the hearth.

Harry knelt before her taking her hands in his, "I would rather spend my afternoon here with you than what I need to accomplish believe me. I will do my best to be back before the clock strikes, okay?"

She nodded.

Harry moved away and looked back at the sad girl in front of the fire. 'So maybe in my heart she's my girl after all?' his brain whispered.'So maybe you should do something about it?' his heart responded.Once again Harry shook his head and made his way to Dumbledore's office.

A/N: REVIEW PLEASE! I like affirmation that I am going in the right direction.

A/N2: This is a progressing relationship. They aren't going to get together immediately.