I have to admit, I'm slightly disappointed. I had over 300 people read Chapter 2 but I only received a few reviews. I honestly would like more than that. Even if it's just 'update' or 'good job', whatever I just want to know that my work is being appreciated. Thanks a million to .Planned for the great advice, this chapter is totally dedicated to you!
I suggest everyone listen to Crash and Burn by Savage Garden. It's such a sad but beautiful song. Savage Garden is just amazing but this song is probably my favorite and I think it just seems to fit with this fic. Also listen to Gomenasai by TATU. I nearly cried while trying to write the part when Harry confronts his 'friends'. Thanks everyone!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Harry Potter's characters or the canon plot in here. The rest is mine. I do not make any money for this venture. It's purely for everyone's entertainment.
Chapter 3
Harry woke up just after six in the morning. Surprisingly, he felt amazing compared to other days. Grabbing a quick shower and changing into a fresh set of clothes, he headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He didn't know if it was a good thing or not but he met no one on his way down. Entering the hall and taking an available seat, he realized only too late that it was right near his supposed friends. They were all casting him glances but making no move to acknowledge him at all.
Thankfully he was given a moment's respite when Professor Mcgonagall handed out their schedules for the upcoming year. Harry gave it a once-over but didn't pay all that much attention to his time-table at the moment.
"Hey guys. How were your summers?" he attempted to create conversation. Of course he knew they were all back-stabbers but he had to attempt to not let it show that he knew.
No one spoke for a long moment. Even Harry was becoming uncomfortable in the silence. Looking up at his housemates, he gave them a questioning look. "Guys?"
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other before turning to face him. "We don't want to be friends with you. You're too dangerous to be around," Hermione replied before looking away again.
"That never bothered you before! Why now? It's because of Cedric isn't it? Look, I'm sorry he got messed in with all of this but it wasn't my fault! It just kind of happened," Harry tried to explain. Even though he was positive he wouldn't be their friends after this, he still wanted to get the point across that he never killed Cedric.
"You could have prevented it! It doesn't matter now, we still refuse to be your friend," said Ron, turning away from his former best friend.
Harry tried his hardest to hide the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. "I kind of wished I had heard wrong on the train. At least now I know that you were just using me," he murmured before rushing from the Great Hall.
Running back up to Gryffindor tower, he snatched up his bag and books before more clearly studying his schedule. Groaning, he realized that his first class was Potions and it was a double class. This meant he had the whole morning with Snape, the other Gryffindors and... wonderful, the Slytherins. Harry mentally asked himself why everything had to be so horrible but was not given a response.
Before any of his housemates could come back to the dorms, the teen made his way down to the dungeons. As soon as he got to the Potion's classroom he sat down in one of the back corners, away from where everyone else would sit and the absolute furthest from Snape. He would try his hardest to stay away from the man and not fail horribly in the class this year.
Soon enough the rest of the students entered and took their own seats. Just as he thought, most if not all of them picked desks away from him. Snape strode in not much later, starting the class by taking roll call. Harry was extremely surprised when Snape made no move to insult him like was usual. It was a nice reprieve for once. The black haired man gave them a potion to start the year out with. Lucky for Harry, it didn't require two people to do so.
Harry went into the supply closet and gathered all of ingredients he would need for the assignment. On his way out, he was bumped into by Ron, sending everything in his arms crashing to the ground. Sighing, Harry bent down and began re-gathering the articles. A pale hand appeared in front of his face, holding the last item he needed. Taking it back, he looked up into the face of one Draco Malfoy.
"Thanks Malfoy," he muttered to the other boy.
Draco quirked an eyebrow at that. "It was only bullfrog tongues Potter," he answered.
"About helping me out last night. Thanks," said Harry before he left the storage room and went back to his desk.
The next couple of hours went by rather smoothly as he worked on his potion. For once, it was working out perfectly. His concentration was aimed wholeheartedly towards finishing the potion right. Just as he was finishing a loud bang echoed through the room. Neville had once again blown up his cauldron. Snape looked like he was ready to murder the bumbling, idiotic Gryffindor. Before the man could do so, a dark cloud of something smelling quite like rotten eggs and citrus escaped the totalled workstation.
Harry finished up his potion quickly before cleaning his own cauldron and desk. The smell was making his head pound viciously. He set his complete potion on Snape's desk before following the rest of the students out of the classroom.
Picking up his pack from under his desk, he walked unsteadily towards the exit. The fumes evidentially had caused more damage than he anticipated. Only a few feet down the hall, his legs suddenly gave out from under him. Collapsing to the ground, Harry closed his eyes while taking in deep breaths. It didn't seem to be helping at all. Remembering what Madame Pomphrey said, he pushed himself up off of the ground. Using the wall as support, the boy took several more steps before everything suddenly went black. He dropped to the ground, unaware anymore of his surroundings.
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Draco gave a small wave to his professor/godfather on his way out of the Potions classroom. He, however, stopped almost immediately outside. Lying on the ground not five feet away was Potter. Rushing over, he immediately checked and noticed that the boy was still breathing and had a decent pulse. The only difference is that the boy was several shades paler than normal.
Standing back up from where he had been kneeling next to the unconscious boy, Draco sprinted back into the classroom. "Sev! I need your help. Potter's lying out cold on the floor in the hallway," he cried to the man.
The two quickly made their way to the fallen Harry. Snape also checked Potter's vitals while Draco stood by and waited. "Let's get him up to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomphrey will be able to determine what is wrong with him," the teacher ordered.
Draco watched as the older male picked up the small Gryffindor. He didn't want to give away that he knew Harry was incredibly sick right now, seeing as he shouldn't have known to begin with so he stayed silent. He noticed the look flash through Severus' dark eyes. It was concern. Whether it was from the unconscious boy or how light Harry seemed, he wasn't sure. He followed behind the two as they travelled further up into the heart of the castle.
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A nearly silent groan escaped the sick boy as they neared the Hospital Wing. His eyelids fluttered before slowly opening to half-mast. "P-professor?" he murmured confused.
"It's alright Potter. Rest now," Snape said softly, soothingly.
Harry blinked slowly. "Okay Sir," he said before resting his head on the man's shoulder and instantly falling asleep.
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Draco stared at Snape for a long moment. "Were you actually nice to Potter of all people?" he questioned incredulously.
Severus rolled his eyes at his godson's dramatics. "I'll explain later," was the only given response.
They entered the Hospital Wing a couple moments later and were immediately intercepted by Madame Pomphrey. Before she could open her mouth, Draco explained, "I found him outside of the Potion's classroom. He was just lying out cold on the ground. I ran to get help from Professor Snape. We brought him up here right away. A few minutes before, he awoke but slipped back out almost right after."
The elderly woman clucked her tongue for a second before ushering them inside. Both men glanced at each other as she started her mother hen routine. "Place him on a bed. The poor dear, I told him he should have stayed here. Was he doing anything specific before he passed out?" she inquired before rushing off to the other side of the room to gather several potions.
"We had just left class. I don't understand what could have caused him to just collapse like that... Unless it was Longbottom's potion. The twit blew up his cauldron again, causing a very disgusting odour to go everywhere," Draco deduced.
As the Matron got to work making sure Harry was fine, Draco faced Severus. "You said you would explain why you were being so kind to Potter," he reminded quietly so the woman couldn't hear them.
"Yes I did, but not right now. Wait until we have some private time to discuss this. Now, I believe you have lunch to attend, as do I. Come back here once you have finished your afternoon classes," said Severus Snape. Without another word, the Potions Master strode out of the Infirmary, black robes billowing behind him.
Giving a shake of his head, Draco spared Harry one last look before following the Professor's orders and heading down to the Great Hall for lunch.
