A/N: As promised, just in time for the New Year! Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 10 – Tempers unleashed.
Harry was glad to be back in his dorm room where nobody was staring at him like he'd grown a horn and tail. He could see his friends were nervous and tried to put them at ease, the last thing he wanted was for his friends to walk on egg shells around him.
"Thanks guys, I meant what I said down there you know. I really am fine," Harry said.
"No you're not Harry. You don't have to put on a brave face for us you know." Draco replied.
"I'm not a china doll, I won't break you know. Look, I'm grateful for your concern and everything, but I really am ok, I just want to be treated like everyone else, instead of like a freak." Harry pleaded.
"Ok Harry, we'll try, it's just…well…how can you be fine?" Draco asked.
"Dunno, I guess…I'm used to it." Harry said shrugging his shoulders. "I'd really just love to forget about it."
Harry could see Draco and Teddy weren't convinced, but they dropped the matter anyway. Harry decided to change the conversation and hopefully, they would relax and start acting more normally around him.
"So, did I miss anything terribly important in classes?" Harry asked brightly.
"Nah, oh wait! You know that Gryffindor know-it-all? Granger? She managed to do the unlocking charm today! Flitwick fell off his stack of books in surprise - it was so funny!" Teddy said, chuckling at the memory.
"Cool! I would've liked to see that!" Harry said smiling at Teddy.
"Right, well, here are my notes. We've got homework for charms and transfiguration so if you need any help…" Teddy trailed off as Zabini entered the room.
The three boys turned to glare at Zabini, who stood in the doorway looking uncomfortable. He made eye contact with the boys slowly, before asking if he could speak with Harry alone. Immediately Teddy and Draco came to stand at either side of Harry in a protective stance.
"What do you want Zabini?" Draco spat.
"To talk to Potter." Zabini replied, but without much venom.
"So talk." Draco shrugged.
"Alone."
"Not a chance Zabini." Teddy said.
Zabini looked at Harry for help, after a few moments he sighed and muttered an 'ok', indicating to his friends he would be fine. He wasn't scared of Zabini and didn't want his friends ending up in trouble for being overprotective of him and doing something stupid.
"We'll be right outside Harry. You need us, you call us." Teddy said pointedly as he glared at Zabini, then crossed his arms over his chest and stalked steadily to the door, closely followed by Draco imitating his stance.
"What do you want Zabini?" Harry said, lifting his chin slightly to show the other boy he wasn't scared of him.
"I just…well…I'm sorry for being…well…you know…for being a prat with you." Zabini stuttered over his words, clearly not used to apologising.
"Are you?" Harry said, still not trusting the other boy.
"Yeah, I am. I'm sorry. That's all." Zabini said dejectedly, then turned and left the room, giving Teddy and Draco a glare as he passed them. The two boys re-entered the dorm room quickly, concern written on their faces.
"He apologised." Harry said quickly, knowing what his friends were about to ask.
"Really?" Teddy asked incredulously.
"Yeah." Harry replied.
"Well, I still don't trust him." Draco stated.
"Me neither, let's just hope he'll stop being a prat now." Harry said, picking up Teddy's notes and beginning to read them. It wouldn't do well for him to fall behind in his subjects, he figured if he kept up with his work then people would see he was alright and didn't need coddling.
Dinner in the Great Hall was a tense affair. The Slytherin table quieted as soon as Harry and his friends entered, but to Harry's immense relief, only a handful of students from the other Houses acknowledged his entrance, merely giving him a quick quizzical look before turning back to their friends. At least the whole school doesn't know. Harry sat down with his friends and looked up to the Head Table, Snape was watching him intently and raised an eyebrow in question at Harry. He nodded in reassurance then turned back to his friends, refusing to make eye contact with the other Slytherin students. After a few moments, Harry felt a presence behind him and turned to see Prefect Flint stood behind him.
"Professor Snape asked me to show you the game of Quidditch this weekend, are you free Saturday morning?" Flint asked stiffly, as if he didn't want to be there.
"Erm, yeah sure. Thanks, what time?" Harry asked, slightly puzzled.
"10am, make sure you have a decent breakfast Potter, you'll need your energy." Flint said, then strode off quickly.
"What was all that about?" Draco asked once Flint was out of earshot.
"Snape said I could try out for the House team, trials are next week." Harry explained sheepishly.
"Seriously? But first years have never been allowed to play!" Draco said excitedly.
"Well, they must have changed the rules or something then." Harry said, noticing that once again he was attracting more attention than he wanted.
"But how come you get a special practice with Flint then?" Draco asked, furrowing his brows.
"Well, I don't really know the rules that well I guess,"
"How can you not know the rules of Quidditch?" Draco asked incredulously.
"Raised by muggles remember?" Harry replied, rolling his eyes.
"Oh yeah. Sorry, forgot." Draco gave him an apologetic smile.
The Slytherin table were whispering even more now and Harry guessed some of them had overheard the conversation and were now talking about him being allowed to try out for the Quidditch team. He took some deep breaths and concentrated on his food, trying to stay calm. He hated it when people talked about him, hated it! He felt like getting up and yelling at everyone to leave him alone, but that would just make them even worse. No, stay calm. Eat quickly, and get back to the dorm room where it's safe.
Harry was up early on Saturday morning, eager to get back on a broom and learn how to play Quidditch. Teddy had found a trophy with Harry's Dad's name on it and they had found out that his Dad had been a seeker for Gryffindor. Harry didn't know much about his parent's, but somehow knowing his Dad had played - even if it was for a different house - made Harry feel proud. He sat at breakfast, downing his potion without a second thought and tucking into his porridge with abandon. He was determined to do well, and Snape and Flint had both said he needed to eat more. He had not managed to finish the bowl of porridge, but if he forced anymore down he was certain he'd be sick, so he made his way down to the Quidditch pitch and selected a school broom that looked less battered than the rest.
"Good to see you're punctual, Potter." A voice came from behind Harry. He whirled round in surprise to see Prefect Flint standing idly in the doorway to the broom store. Harry gave him a shy smile and followed the 5th year out and onto the pitch. Harry stood looking around the pitch and stands with his mouth agape.
"Impressive isn't it?" Flint smiled.
Harry clamped his mouth shut and nodded. Flint gestured for Harry to follow him over to a large wooden trunk and began explaining the basics of the game to Harry. Once he was happy that Harry had understood his instructions, he showed Harry the different balls used and then allowed Harry to go up on his broom and chase the golden snitch.
Two hours later, Harry stood enjoying the hot shower in the changing rooms. He loved this game! Flint had pushed him hard throughout the practice, but Harry loved every minute of it, chasing the snitch, flying through the air as fast as his broom would take him, completing dives and rolls. He had caught the snitch 24 times before Flint had called him down, given him a pat on the back and told him to shower, telling Harry he was a natural on a broom and that Gryffindor would have no chance this year. Harry stretched his aching muscles under the hot water for a few more minutes before finally exiting the shower and heading back to the castle for lunch.
OoOo
"He's a natural sir, like he was born to be on a broom. Pity he's stuck with one of those school brooms though." Flint said, informing Severus of how practice had gone.
"So he's good enough for the team?" Severus enquired.
"Definitely sir, Higgs isn't a patch on Potter. He caught the snitch 24 times in 2 hours! And he understood all the rules first time too. It's impossible to believe that's only the second time he's ever flown. Sir." Flint was getting rather excited and had almost forgotten whom he was speaking to.
"Very good Mr. Flint. I will see about acquiring him a better broom. There's been no further trouble between him and Mr. Zabini?"
"Not that I know of sir, they've stayed out of each other's way mainly."
"Okay, thank you Mr. Flint. Ensure Mr. Zabini is outside my office at 6pm."
"Yes Sir." Flint took his leave and Severus turned back toward his office. The boy needed a decent broom, quickly. But first, he needed a long overdue chat with Mr. Zabini.
At 6pm that evening, Severus heard a tentative knock on his door and gave a commanding 'enter'. Mr. Zabini opened the door and shuffled into his office, closing the door tentatively behind him.
"Take a seat Mr. Zabini." He waited until the boy sat down in the wooden straight backed chair in front of his desk then peered down at him, ensuring the boy was sufficiently intimidated.
"I understand there have been problems between yourself and Mr. Potter. Please explain."
The boy looked up at him in terror, then took a few breaths before he began speaking.
"It started off as just a bit of fun sir. He was a bit strange. I didn't know…I didn't realize…" The boy trailed off, fixing his gaze on his hands in his lap.
"What is the most important rule of Slytherin House Mr. Zabini?" Severus said, barely keeping his temper in check.
"We're family sir, we help each other and stick together." The boy said, keeping his head down.
"And do you believe your actions so far have abided by that rule?"
"No sir. I apologized…you know, when…when…"
"Indeed." Severus said. Well that was something at least.
"Why did you find it necessary to taunt your roommates in the first place?" Severus asked, determined to get to the bottom of the boy's behaviour.
Zabini shrugged his shoulders.
"Do not shrug your shoulders at me!" Severus shouted in frustration.
He saw the boy flinch at his raised voice and reigned in his temper.
"I'm waiting." He said menacingly, but quietly.
"I thought that, well, my Dad always said that, people, well that I should show everyone I was…you know…that I was…he said some people are leaders and others are followers and that I should make it clear that I… that I wasn't a follower. Sir." Silence descended on the room as Severus took in what the boy had meant.
"Your…Father," Severus said slowly, dragging the syllables out. "How does he discipline you at home, Mr. Zabini?"
The child looked up quickly, then returned his eyes to his hands, which were now fiddling nervously in his lap. Severus waited, praying it would not be anywhere near as horrific as Harry's situation.
"I got spanked mostly Sir. Nothing like Potter though, nowhere near as bad." Zabini said, shaking his head at the same time.
"Sometimes…sometimes he would cane my hands, told me never to show weakness." The child mumbled, so Severus only just heard him.
"Let me see your hands." Severus said, holding his hands out for the boy's. Zabini complied and Severus turned them over slowly, inspecting them for marks.
"He never used a cane anywhere else?" Severus asked.
"No sir. Like I said, nothing like Potter."
"Did you need healing after you Father's punishments?"
Only once, my Dad was careful not to go too far after that."
"Alright Mr. Zabini, I am assigning you a week's worth of detention, to be served with Mr. Filch, for your behaviour towards your roommates. I also require a 3 foot essay on the importance of trust and respect towards your peers. I trust I will not hear of this type of behaviour from you again?" Severus intoned, then dismissed the boy when he got a resounding 'no Sir, it won't happen again.'
Severus collapsed into his chair and blew out a breath. The child had been sincere in his remorse and although he knew he would have to speak to the boy further about his behaviour and his Father's 'instructions', he believed he would be able to steer the child away from his Father's manipulations given enough time. He had been tempted to punish the boy more than that, but in light of the boy's admission, he supposed any further punishment would be counter-productive in the long-run.
OoOo
"Snape's probably only doing it 'cos he feels sorry for him." Harry had heard those words more than once since his practice with Prefect Flint two days ago, and he was beginning to wonder whether or not it was true. Most of his housemates had stopped talking about him, some of them were even making an effort to be friendly with him, but there were still some people whispering about him behind his back and casting him glares every once in a while. Zabini had been…less hostile, but no more friendly.
Harry made his way to the potions classroom with Teddy and Draco and they took their usual seats near the front, waiting quietly for Professor Snape to enter. They had soon realized that he was the strictest teacher at the school and Harry was eager to do his best for the man. They did not have to wait long for the Potions Master to arrive and give them instructions to brew a shrinking solution. Harry concentrated fully on his potion, determined to get it right. So it was with immense pride that he bottled and labelled his solution at the end of the lesson and handed it to Professor Snape.
"Well done Mr. Potter, 5 points to Slytherin." Snape said loudly so that the class could hear.
Harry beamed up at the man before returning to his desk and putting his things away, he also heard Snape award 5 points to both of his friends for their solutions, and sneer insults at a couple of the Gryffindor's as well as Zabini for their 'atrocious attempts'. The three friends exited the room smiling proudly at their achievements only to have Zabini state loudly that they had only been given the points because Snape felt sorry him. Harry could feel the anger rising within him; he deserved those points!
"What's your problem Zabini?" Harry growled.
Zabini glared at him then stormed off down the corridor without replying.
"Come on Harry, forget about him. You've got Quidditch tryouts tonight haven't you?" Draco asked, trying to get Harry to calm down.
Harry balled his fists at his sides and took a few claming breaths before nodding and following his friends back to their common room.
OoOo
Harry walked out onto the pitch with his school broom in his hand. The assembled students turned and took one look at Harry holding the pitiful looking broom and began laughing, holding their hands over their stomachs.
"Are you serious Potter?" One of them said between chuckles.
"Flint, you can't be serious! He won't last two minutes!" Another boy laughed.
Harry gritted his teeth and walked past the group and onto the pitch itself. He would not let them spoil this for him! Stay calm, just think about flying, ignore them.
Harry stood apart from the rest of the group and waited for Captain Flint to give them instructions for the trials. After what seemed like an age, Harry was finally in the air, completing a speed run weaving in and out of the stands around the pitch. It was so easy! Pity the broom wouldn't go any faster. After that Harry and another boy called Terence Higgs went up against each other chasing the snitch. Higgs was really rough and kept barging Harry but Harry soon got the better of him and caught the snitch, holding it up proudly as he touched back down. Captain Flint congratulated him before sending both up again. After twenty minutes, Harry had caught the snitch again, much to Higgs' increasing frustration. After a third time, where Harry once again beat Higgs to it, Captain Flint called a halt to the trials and named the team for the year.
"…And the new Slytherin seeker…Harry Potter! Well done, kid." Flint said warmly, and Harry beamed.
Harry took his time in the shower, basking in the pride and happiness that consumed him. He had made the team! Fair and square! Flying was the best thing in the world ever!
Harry's happiness was short lived however, because the moment he emerged from his wonderfully hot shower, Higgs grabbed him by the collar and shoved him roughly against the wall, towering over Harry's small frame.
"Don't think you're getting away with this Potter! That was my spot you took you little freak!" Higgs spat in Harry's face.
"You're gonna regret ever mounting a broom Potter!" Higgs warned before roughly pushing Harry against the wall again then letting go and storming out of the changing rooms. Harry's head had hit the wall as he had been shoved back and he brought his hand up to rub at it tentatively. Why couldn't anything ever go right for him? He had earned his place on the team! He had caught the snitch three times and Higgs hadn't caught it once, this was so unfair!
Harry gathered his things, busying himself so that he would not get upset and allow the tears behind his eyes to fall. He made his way slowly up to the Castle, he was tempted just to go straight back to his dorm, but the trials had been intense and Harry was famished. The walk had calmed him a little, but his earlier distress was beginning to turn to anger. He made it into the Great Hall and walked hurriedly over to his place next to his two friends.
"You were great Harry! We were watching in the stands, you made the team right?" Teddy asked excitedly.
"Yeah I'm seeker, Higgs wasn't impressed though." Harry said, struggling to work up the same amount of enthusiasm as his friends.
"Higgs? Don't worry about him Harry, everyone saw, you were ten times better than him!" Draco said, trying to be reassuring.
Teddy seemed to sense Harry's unease and fixed him with a quizzical look.
"Did he do anything to you Harry?"
Harry shrugged, his ears burning.
"Just said some stuff in the changing rooms that's all."
"Like what? What did he say?" Draco asked, outraged on his friends' behalf.
"Said I'd took his spot and that I'd regret ever mounting a broom." Harry said, eyeing the boy in question sitting further down the table.
His friends followed Harry's gaze to the older and much taller boy, who seemed to realize he was being watched and turned his head to glare at them. Higgs sneered at them, baring his teeth in a feral gesture, then turned to his friends and stated loudly;
"That Potter brat's got some nerve. Thinks he can play the sympathy card just 'cos he's too much of a wimp to stand up to muggles. No wonder they hated him, he's always got to be the centre of attention." Higgs then turned back to Harry and gave him a smug look.
Harry's blood was boiling, he could hear pounding in his ears and his fists were balled so tightly his knuckles were white. Teddy and Draco looked at him fearfully, seeing he was on the verge of exploding.
"Not here Harry, you'll get into too much trouble. We'll get him later, be a Slytherin Harry." Teddy whispered to him.
Harry continued to glare at Higgs who was now laughing at something with his friends.
"Teddy's right Harry, he's not worth it. Calm down, please." Draco pleaded.
Harry screwed his eyes shut and took deep breaths, willing his temper under control. After a few moments, Harry opened his eyes and stared at the food around him. He wasn't hungry anymore. He made to get up from the table and Draco grabbed his arm, clearly panicking about what Harry was going to do.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked, worried.
"I'm not hungry, I'm going back to the common room." Harry ground out between gritted teeth.
"Harry-"
"I'm not going to do anything! I just need some time alone. I promise." Harry replied, then shrugged out of Draco's grasp and hurried out of the Great Hall before anyone else could say anything to him.
OoOo
Severus entered the Headmaster's office and took a seat when offered.
"Severus! Lemon drop?"
"No thank you Headmaster. What is the reason for my summoning?" Severus asked, making it clear he did not want to engage in small talk.
"Always straight to the point, Severus." The Headmaster smiled.
"Albus-" Severus started but was cut off by the man in question raising his hands in supplication.
"I need to discuss Harry's situation with you. I know you have come to care for the boy, I was wondering whether you would be willing to make the arrangement of caring for him more…official?"
"Official, Albus?" Severus asked, drawing his eyebrows together.
"He needs a guardian, Severus. If you would be willing, we could go to the Dursley's and persuade them to sign over guardianship to yourself, then, in time, if you are amenable of course, we could look at adoption." Albus looked at Severus over his half moon spectacles.
"You want me to become his guardian?" Severus asked, not quite sure of himself.
It was true that he cared for the child, but becoming a guardian was a big step, and he wasn't sure he could be everything Harry needed him to be.
"I can think of no-one more suitable. The child trusts you, he looks up to you. You care for him deeply. Do you disagree?"
"Albus, I'm not sure I'm capable. Harry has been neglected and abused all his life. You are aware of my temper, and I'm not exactly the most…tender of people."
"No you are not, but neither is Harry. You two have much in common I think." Albus chuckled slightly before continuing, "Although it is true that Harry will need some emotional and physical reassurance at times, I do not believe he will be running to you for hugs every day, and if that is the only thing that scares you, it is hardly a good enough reason not to take him, is it not?"
Severus broke eye contact with the much older man and contemplated what he had just said. Of course Harry wouldn't run to him for hugs, not that that would be a bad thing if he did - wait, where the hell did that come from? Imagining Harry in his arms was not as scary as he thought it would be, and Harry did trust him, which was half the battle won already. Besides, he would be a hundred times better than those blasted muggles! In fact, he had already done more for the boy than they ever had!
"I will become Harry's guardian." Severus said after a few moments, raising his chin in acceptance.
"Excellent! Now, if you aren't busy, I'd like to get this document signed as soon as possible." Albus said, indicating his head toward the fireplace.
"I think that would be most prudent, Headmaster." Severus said, standing up and striding over to the fireplace, quickly followed by Albus, holding a piece of rolled parchment in his hand.
Severus and Albus approached number 4 Privet Drive after flooing through to Arabella Figg's house. The two men stood side by side as Albus rang the doorbell. Severus heard a man shout for 'Dudley' to get the door, then there were heavy footsteps pounding along behind the door before it finally opened, revealing an extremely overweight child with blond hair and watery blue eyes.
"What do you want?" The ignorant child asked accusingly, looking at the two oddly dressed men in front of him. Severus growled at the whale of a boy who clearly had no manners whatsoever.
"We wish to speak with your parents. Are they home?" Albus asked kindly.
The whale child (as Severus decided he would be called) shouted loudly for his mum and dad before disappearing back into the house without inviting them in. Moments later, a small horse-faced woman came into the doorway and scowled sourly at them.
"What do you want?" She hissed.
Clearly, the whale child took after his mother where manners were concerned.
"Petunia, how nice to see you again. May we come in?" Severus drawled sarcastically.
"Absolutely not! We don't want your sort in our house!" She spat.
"Then we shall just have to conduct our discussion on the doorstep where all your neighbours can see." Albus said, his eyes twinkling.
Petunia harrumphed before opening the door fully and ushering them inside. The woman slammed the door shut forcefully then ushered them into the sitting room, clearly unhappy about it.
"Who is it sweetums?" A huge, pink faced man asked, not looking up from his newspaper as he sat wedged on the sofa. Severus compared the sight to a beached whale…like father like son.
"Vernon!" Petunia hissed, getting her husband's attention.
"Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, we have come to discuss your nephew, Harry Potter." Albus began.
"You're from that place aren't you? Freaks! The lot of you! If you can't handle the little brat then that's your fault, not ours!" Vernon screamed, standing up from the sofa with effort.
"Now please, Mr. Dursley. There's no need for name calling. Furthermore, Harry is settling in well at school."
"So why are you here?" Vernon spat.
"He came to school with a great deal of injuries, care to explain?" Severus said venomously.
"The little freak is nothing but a liar! What's he told you huh? I'll give him what for, the lying little-"
"That's enough!" Albus shouted, angry at how the beefy man referred to Harry.
"You'll give him what for?" Severus ground out, gritting his teeth.
"That boy needs a firm hand every now and then. I did what I had to do to keep the boy in line!"
"A firm hand?! You beat the boy almost to death!" Severus shouted, quickly losing his grip on his temper.
"I did no such thing! The little freak deserved every lick he got!"
Severus had had enough, he drew his wand and shoved the point into Vernon's chubby neck.
"How dare you think you're justified in your treatment of Harry!"
"Severus, calm yourself." Albus warned quietly.
"I am calm." Severus ground out slowly, knowing he was lying.
"Put that thing away! Don't you dare threaten my husband! Get out of my house Snape!" Petunia piped up, beginning to get hysterical.
"Severus, lower your wand. This is counter-productive." Albus said calmly.
Severus sneered at the whale of a man, his bright pink face curling into a look of disgust. Slowly, he lowered his wand and placed it back in it's holder up his sleeve.
"How dare you threaten me in my own house, Freak. I'll have you for this! You and that wretched boy!" Vernon bellowed.
Severus snapped, he couldn't hold his temper in anymore. With lightening quick reflexes, he launched himself at the much larger man, throwing his fist forcefully into the man's face, connecting with his nose and hearing a satisfying 'crack'. The large man brought his hands to his face, shielding his now bloody nose.
"Get out! Get out now!" Petunia shrieked, moving over to her husband.
"Severus!" Albus shouted as Severus was about to draw back and inflict another blow. Taking a few deep breaths, Severus stood back and lowered his fists.
"You will not speak another word against Harry. You utter the word 'freak' again and I will hex you into oblivion." Severus spat menacingly, barely containing his anger.
Petunia scowled at him, then ushered her husband into the kitchen and gave him a damp towel for his nose.
"You assaulted my husband!" She said, throwing him another glare.
"I've barely begun!" Severus shouted, erupting again.
"Severus! Control yourself! Remember why we are here." Albus gave him a disapproving look before taking over and ushering Severus to remain quiet.
"You are not fit to be Harry's guardians. You do not want the child, therefore, you will sign these papers, relieving you of guardianship rights over Harry Potter." Albus stated firmly, waving the rolled parchment in front of him.
"And what if we don't agree?" Petunia asked.
"I'm sure Severus would enjoy having the opportunity of…persuading…you." Albus said, emphasising the word 'persuading'.
Petunia scowled at the two men, then looked up to her husband who gave a short nod, still holding the towel to his face.
"Fine, have him. He's been nothing but trouble since the day we took him in anyways." She said, huffing loudly as she stalked over to Albus and took the parchment from him. Albus smiled in victory and produced a quill for her. She took one look at it and scowled again, before storming back into the kitchen to get a pen. Petunia returned a short time later, thrusting the now signed parchment into Albus' waiting hand.
"Thank you for your co-operation, Mrs. Dursley. You and your husband have a nice day." Albus said with a slightly mocking tone, then turned and headed into the hallway and to the front door.
"Those blasted freaks! And that bloody little brat-" Severus heard the hatred in the words being uttered by Vernon Dursley and could not leave it. He turned and pointed his wand at the morbidly obese man whispering the words; "You will feel his pain. The pain you inflicted, both physical and emotional…will be returned to you." A grey mist snaked out from Severus' wand and spread out through the house, wrapping itself around it's two inhabitants for a few moments before dissipating. The room finally cleared as Severus' magic wound itself into the very foundations of the house.
Severus glared at the unremorseful woman for a few moments, then followed the Headmaster out of the house, slamming the door loudly as he went.
"I see what you mean about your temper, Severus." Albus said as they walked back to Arabella Figg's house.
"It is what they deserve!" Severus almost shouted, still seething.
"I know that my boy, but you know you came dangerously close to having the Aurors descend upon us with that spell."
Severus huffed in annoyance, knowing the Headmaster was right, but declined to agree with him verbally. Albus chuckled slightly and shook his head at Severus' annoyed expression.
"How long until the paperwork goes through?" Severus asked, finally beginning to calm himself.
"Hopefully, it will all be approved within two weeks. When are you going to tell the child?"
"I see no reason in delaying."
"Excellent! Let's get back to Hogwarts."
OoOo
Harry sat on the comfy sofa by a crackling fire trying to concentrate on his potions homework but he had had very little success so far, he was still angry at Higgs' comments in the Great Hall earlier. His friends had joined him around the fireplace and were studying quietly as the common room filled up with returning students. The common room was fairly quiet as most students were doing the same thing as Harry and his friends, some of them quietly discussing their homework or having trivial conversations, many of them trying to complete their homework as quickly as possible so they enjoy their free time. That was when Higgs strolled in with three of his friends, sniggering loudly so that everyone could hear.
"I bet Snape told Flint to put him on the team, hoping he'll fall off his broom and kill himself. That way Snape won't have to put up with the whining little brat."
Flint stood from where he had been studying and moved closer to Higgs and his cronies.
"You'd better watch your mouth Higgs you little prick. Harry earned his spot on the team. He was better than you, deal with it!" Flint stood stock still, willing Higgs to argue with him.
By this time, no-one was studying anymore. All eyes were trained on the confrontation playing out in the middle of the room. Higgs shrugged in acquiescence and Flint started walking back over to his chair, he did not see Higgs move closer to Harry.
"Even got Flint backing you up now Potter? Can't fight your own battles eh? I guess not, you can't even stand up to some pathetic muggles, call yourself a wizard? You're a disgrace Potter! No wonder your mother got herself killed, she probably couldn't live with the thought of having such a pathetic, worthless little freak as a son!"
Harry snapped. He let out an anguished shout as he used the sofa as a springboard to launch himself at the bully. Harry barrelled into the taller boy, knocking them both to the floor. He quickly rolled and managed to get on top of the startled boy before proceeding to launch his fists at the boy's face without a further thought. The anger that had been building inside him was set free, Harry knew nothing of his surroundings as he put all his emotions into this one act, feeling the release of adrenalin through his system. He had punched the boy maybe five times when strong arms grabbed at his, temporarily stopping him. Harry was nowhere near finished yet, he was still seething.
"Harry, stop, please!"
"Lemmie go!" Harry struggled against his bonds and felt victorious when he was released. He managed to get another two punches in before he was hoisted off his feet and held in a bear-like grip against someone's chest.
"Lemmie go!" Harry shouted again, struggling against his captor.
"Not a chance young man." The words were spoken calmly, but the tone was menacing.
Harry slowly began to come to his senses, and realized that he was being held against someone much taller than him, his legs were dangling in mid-air and the whole common room were staring at him in shock. He looked down and saw Higgs now in a sitting position on the floor with a bloody nose and a rapidly swelling left eye. Nobody had motioned to help him though and Harry also then realized just how quiet it was, he could hear a pin drop. He was set on his feet carefully and he turned to the man who had restrained him. Professor Snape was staring down at him with a murderous look.
"My office, young man. Now." Snape growled.
Harry did not even consider disobeying, he fled to Snape's office. His anger had all but disappeared and he could now feel his face burning, his vision was slightly blurred and he rubbed his eyes with his hands, feeling moisture there. That was when he realized he had been crying, probably whilst he had been punching Higgs. Then the seriousness of the situation hit him and then he really did feel like crying.
He had ruined everything! He was going to be expelled! Snape would hate him now! Why can't you just control yourself Harry! Higgs' words had really hurt though, they had struck a nerve, not only about his mother but about Snape too. Was he too much trouble? Did everyone want him gone? Well if they hadn't before they definitely would now.
Harry slumped down against the cold stone wall of Snape's office and pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his skinny legs he lowered his head to rest on his knees and sobbed heart wrenching sobs of a boy who believed he had lost everything that mattered in life.
Next Chapter - The Aftermath