Guarded
There were certain Hogwarts traditions that Harry enjoyed. One tradition he favored was the first feast of the year - including the sorting. The Sorting Hat had been most entertaining the past two years and Harry had been looking forward to hearing what he had to say this go around.
Unfortunately, Harry had to miss the Sorting Hat's song as he was sent to the infirmary immediately upon arrival at Hogwarts to be checked over by Madam Pomfrey - the school matron, caregiver, and healer. As much as Harry liked the woman, he hated being in the infirmary. "Really, I'm fine. I feel rather silly about the whole ordeal."
"For once I agree, Mr. Potter." Pomfrey kept a straight face, but the humorous glint in her eyes did not go unnoticed and Harry smiled at her. "You are fine and can go to the feast."
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey. I'm sorry I made you late." Harry slid off the bed and straightened his school robe. He attempted the ritual cleaning and straightening spells that Mrs. Zabini did for him, but nothing happened. He looked up when he heard Madam Pomfrey clear her throat.
Pomfrey waved her wand in his direction and his clothes were neat, wrinkle free and he was ready to join the rest of the school. Harry smoothed his green and silver House tie with the palm of his hand, "Thanks. One day maybe I'll get the hang of those spells. Zabini keeps trying to teach me, but why learn if he's usually there to do it for me?"
She tsked at him when he grinned at her and turned him towards the door. "Great Hall, Mr. Potter; off with you. I'm sure you know the way."
"Yes'm!" Harry waved over his shoulder and made his way to the stairs. It was eerily quiet with echoes of sound coming from the distant Great Hall. The marble staircase was still for the moment as he made his way down. There was a sound of polite applause followed by quiet. Harry let his imagination go to the Great Hall and mentally pictured McGonagall with the list standing beside the stool and the Sorting Hat ready to sort the first years.
Harry reached the doorway to the Great Hall and listened to the next name called. "Greengrass, Astoria."
Astoria was a smaller version of the other known Greengrass currently residing in Slytherin House, presumably Astoria's sibling Daphne. From his viewpoint, Harry could see the sister was graceful and refined for such a young age. She smiled sweetly at McGonagall and slipped onto the stool. With her back straight, Astoria smoothed her skirt and folded her hands on her lap and somehow managed to cross her ankles, looking like a princess holding court.
He felt an odd sense of someone staring at him. Harry looked around the Great Hall and it wasn't until his eyes reached the staff table did he find his answer. The professor Harry met on the train - Professor Lupin - frowned at him, stared at his… chest? Harry wasn't sure but he felt uneasy and realized he really wanted to be at the Slytherin table with his friends. Harry quickly straightened and made his way to his friends and slipped into the seat between Blaise and Jason.
Harry chanced another glance at the staff table and was even more confused than before. Lupin was sitting beside Snape at the table, Lupin was rubbing his temples and Snape looked… pleased. The idea of their Head of House being pleased was great, but seeing him smile? It unnerved Harry and he shuddered missing the majority of the names called. "Middleton, Hayden."
Names called, Houses announced, students sitting, but Harry was distracted. Often his attention would drift to the staff table where Snape and Lupin sat and his confusion continued to grow. Now Lupin looked downright miserable and Snape… well, the man smirked triumphantly. The look on Snape's face was rather feral and Harry had to tear his eyes away when Lupin sat up at something Snape said and stared wide eyed at Harry, shock evident in his expression. "Vane, Romilda."
His face heated. Whatever they talked about, Harry was now convinced it was his fault. He stared at his hands folded on the table until the headmaster stood to address them at long last. Harry felt guilt wash over him. Weird, since he didn't remember doing anything wrong. It was simply the look of surprise mixed with disbelief on Lupin's face. It made him feel as if he let the man down somehow which was utterly ridiculous since they met for less than a minute and only once… even if the man had called him by his first name.
Out of sheer habit, Harry combed his fingers through his hair, earning him a nudge from Blaise. Taking a calming breath, Harry sat up and turned his attention to the headmaster and realized he had missed a majority of what he spoke of and wasn't exactly overjoyed at the bit he tuned back in for. "… therefore I must ask each and every one of you to be most careful. Dementors do not distinguish between innocents and their prey. They will not hesitate to attack so do not approach them, do not antagonize them and stay within the grounds to remain safe."
Harry's stomach twisted, but he did his best to school his emotions and kept his façade in place. Table by table eyes darted his way. Staff, students, they all seemed to know. The Dementors were there because Sirius Black was coming for him. Even there at Hogwarts, Harry didn't feel safe. That was the one place he thought he could live without the constant worry of Sirius Black.
Dumbledore raised his hands and looked delighted at the students, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Food appeared and Harry stared at it, wondering if he could stomach dinner.
Eyes were on him again and he tried to bite off the growl of frustration boiling up like acid in his belly. Harry looked up, eyes hard with annoyance and met Hermione's gaze from across the hall. She smiled, his look softened, calmed and he returned it before turning his attention to food.
"Dementors guarding the school; mental idea but no one asked me." Jason plucked a piece of chicken from a platter and set it on his plate. Harry kept his obvious opinion to himself and grinned. Blaise sniffed in disdain, but said nothing. Jason passed the plate and glanced at his friends. "Either of you two taking that Magical Creatures class?"
Harry shook his head, "I'm not." He speared a chicken thigh and set it on his plate before offering the platter to Blaise who declined with an imperceptible shake of his head.
"I have no need for that class. I have my hands full with my other electives. Why? Did you sign up for it, Vaisey?" Blaise slid asparagus onto his plate as he awaited a response.
"I'm not suicidal. Now that Hagrid is teaching the class, I'm even more relieved at having skipped that one." Jason peered down the table and chuckled, "Looks like Malfoy and his motley crew have it."
Harry looked over at Draco and Theodore noting how they didn't look too enthusiastic. Gregory and Vincent didn't appear overly concerned. Draco slammed his fork down and scowled, "That man can't be in his right mind putting a half breed like that in charge of a class." Draco scoffed, "Professor Hagrid. My father will hear of this!"
Turning away when Draco's grey eyes swept the table, Harry took a bite of potatoes. Harry chewed slowly, a slow smile spread across his face. "Perhaps you'd have been better off with something more challenging… like Divination?"
"Shut it, Potter." Draco was sneering at him, but Harry found it all too funny. Harry simply laughed before getting back to his dinner.
Dinner was over; students wandered out of the Great Hall, shuffling along in a swarm of bodies. Hermione met up with the boys and the four left together, opting for the back of the crowd. Harry grinned at her before politely asking, "How is Crookshanks adapting?"
Hermione beamed with happiness, "He's great; fits right in and he doesn't even fuss." Harry nodded absentmindedly, his eyes scanning the group ahead of them. The horde of students moved slowly; Harry was a bit surprised when Hermione grabbed onto his arm, but didn't complain. She hissed the question at him, "Why is he mad at you?"
He looked to see who she was talking about and tried to hide his amusement. "How was your summer, Malfoy?" Draco sniffed at Harry and glared at him. Harry just laughed, "Come on. You set yourself up for that one."
"Hmm…" Draco swept his eyes over Hermione, raised an eyebrow. "Still with this one? I'd have thought you'd grow bored with her by now and move on."
As always, the boys reacted immediately and Hermione once again found herself in her own protective bubble of three Slytherin teens. She smiled to herself while clinging to Harry's arm half hidden by his body. "Careful, Malfoy. Don't bring Granger into this because you're annoyed with me."
"I can't very well hex someone of my own House which limits my choices." Draco smirked and Harry acquiesced.
"You have a valid point, still…"
"Yes, yes, the bird is all yours, how droll. Try not to faint before you reach your dorm, Potter." Draco waved them off and continued to the dungeons.
Hermione sighed softly, giving Harry's arm a squeeze before waving her good-byes and moved to the marble stairs. "I'll see you guys at breakfast."
Various farewells were said before a throat was cleared behind them. The three quickly turned and straightened. All three spoke, "Good evening, Professor."
Snape raised an eyebrow as he looked down his hooked nose at them. "Good evening." He made a motion at them to continue on and the four of them walked towards the dungeons before Snape spoke again. "Mr. Potter, you remember the rules. Stay out of the forbidden forest, stay indoors whenever possible…" He shot a glance at the boy as he nodded along with what was said, not showing surprise at being singled out for this reminder of the rules to the professor's surprise. "Hmm…"
"About a month ago I was told the Ministry was concerned that Sirius Black might be after me… to kill me, Sir. As much as I hate the added restrictions and being singled out as a potential victim, I do understand the need for the extra precautions. It's for my protection." Harry took a deep breath and clasped his hands behind him to keep them from shaking.
"Very well, see that you aren't wandering the halls alone either." Snape watched Harry frown and nod curtly.
"Yes, sir." Harry tried hard not to huff in exasperation or roll his eyes.
"That includes those after curfew romps to the kitchen." The professor gave a side glance catching each teen's reaction: Blaise stiffened, Jason blinked owlishly and Harry slowly grinned.
Harry schooled his emotions before responding. "Romps to the kitchen? Wouldn't dream of it, sir."
"Adroit." The dungeon stone wall immediately responded. Turning back on itself, the stones moved and revealed the passage to allow the Slytherins to enter.
The common room had lots of low backed black and dark green leather sofas filled with first years and prefects awaiting their Head of House's arrival. It had a grand atmosphere that could be described as cold by any who wasn't charmed by its tapestries that featured the adventures of famous Medieval Slytherins.
The tapestries and greenish lamps gave the light in the room a green tinge which had a calming affect on Harry and he sighed with relief, earning him an amused glance from Snape. Harry gave a lopsided grin and said, "It's good to be home."
Edited 10/12/2016
