A/N: Ooh, I'm not sure what you'll all think of this chapter. Snape and Harry go a bit loopy! I think it'll be okay though. Review and let me know what you think.
No Ferrari, no ownership.
When Harry woke up he realised he was in the hospital wing, again. Rolling his eyes he glanced around only to spy the last of a deep green outer robe floating through the hospital wing door. Sighing he let his head drop back on the pillow. Minerva was here. A part of him was angry at her and a part of him was confused at what had happened at the match, but a bigger part was happy that she had stayed with him. Pushing that part down, he focused on his anger. She had lied to him, and she deserved his attitude.
Sitting up he reached for his glasses. Madam Pomfrey bustled in doing all sorts of diagnostic spells on him before he could assure her that he was indeed physically fine. Ron and Hermione came bustling in not long after she had finished, bringing him some breakfast. They had a whole day to spend with him being Sunday and they sat down, making themselves comfortable.
"We've got some bad news mate," Ron said apologetically. He looked at Hermione a little unsure of what to do, but she nodded slightly. Harry felt a little uneasy. "Well, it was bloody windy you know, and when you fell, nobody was really paying attention to what happened, but well," Harry watched as Ron pulled a rolled up sheet from underneath his chair. Placing it on Harry's knees he slowly began to unroll it. "Look mate I'm really sorry, but by the time anyone got around to it," It had finally been unrolled and what Harry saw made his heart sink. There, in about a million pieces was Harry's Nimbus 2000. "The Whomping Willow got it mate. I'm really sorry." Ron said quietly. Harry's face was a picture of misery, but Hermione knew there were questions that needed to be asked.
"So, what happened Harry?" she asked gently.
"I was chasing the snitch, Draco was being an arse, but then the lightning flashed and I saw," Harry ran his hand through his hair, a little uncomfortable at what he saw on the hill, "well, I saw the Grim." Hermione snorted at the divination term. "I'm being serious Hermione, it's not the first time I've seen it. I think it was following me when I left Privet Drive too, after I blew up Aunt Marge. I don't know whether it really is the Grim, but I do think it's a warning, or at least an omen." Harry looked at them, willing them to agree. Seeing they at least weren't going to argue he continued. "Then the dementors showed up and I couldn't think and I felt weird. I heard a woman screaming again, just like last time and I couldn't stop it, except this time it was different. I heard them talking, I heard," Harry couldn't help the tears that ran down his face. "I heard Voldemort and my mother. She tried to get him to leave me alone, she pleaded with him to leave me, he laughed," he was openly sobbing now, but he needed them to hear what he was saying. "He laughed, and then she said something and he killed her, he just killed her. Everything flashed green and then I woke up here."
"Bloody hell," Ron breathed.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, almost at the same time. Neither one had noticed Professor Lupin enter the room and no one noticed as he brushed the tears away listening to the boy describe the death of one of his dearest friends. No one at all noticed Albus and Minerva standing at the door, Minerva leaning into Albus' shoulder as tears poured down both their faces.
Only when Professor Lupin cleared his throat did the three look up.
"Sorry to intrude, but I couldn't help but overhear." Harry noticed that the Professor looked a little worse for wear and he assumed he'd been sick as they hadn't had him for class all week. "I think I might be able to help you with that." He said with a tired Grin.
"How?" Harry said enthusiastically.
"What's the thing you fear the most Harry?" Lupin said studying the boy.
"Well, you'd think I'd fear Voldemort, but I don't. I think I fear the dementors more, the way they make me pass out," Harry said fidgeting slightly.
"You can use the boggart!" Hermione said, catching on quickly.
"You are a very clever witch." Lupin said to Hermione with pride in his voice. Turning to Harry he smiled again, "what say you take some private lessons with me, maybe once a week and we'll see what we can do okay? Plus I might be able to dig up some old photos of your parents. You Dad and I were very close friends."
"I'd like that," Harry said with a smile.
"Good, I'll see you on Wednesday then. Rest up. You're going to need all your strength." Harry nodded and Madam Pomfrey chose that moment to usher everybody out of the wing so that Harry could get some rest.
Ushering the visitors out of the door, Harry watched as Madam Pomfrey spoke with Professor Dumbledore watching lazily until his eyes met with a familiar pair of green ones. He wanted to look away. He wanted to be angry but all the while thoughts of his mother penetrated his thoughts. Her last words, the same language as the woman's he couldn't turn away from. He closed his eyes, willing himself to be angry, but was severely disappointed when he could no longer find it. He watched as the door started to close but before he did he stared at his transfiguration professor long enough to see her smile a small smile. And then she was gone.
The first day back in class passed without too much of an incident. It was hard to get around the castle though, since the Slytherins had taken to walking around in their black cloaks and screaming while pretending to faint. Harry had only been out of the hospital wing for a measly three hours and had to sit through breakfast with people fainting left right and centre. He was slightly placated by the way his team rallied around him. Everybody was being really nice about the fact that Harry hadn't caught the snitch, even Wood, although he was still having a hard time talking to Harry. Even the teachers were standing up for him; well some of them, taking points of anyone caught pretending to faint. It all just made Harry feel a little bit uncomfortable
The first lesson of the following day was double potions with Slytherin. As much as he hated sitting around in the hospital wing he could have made an exception in order to miss this class. Since Halloween his relationship with Snape had gone from bad to downright murderous. Harry had to use all his power not to throw a curse at the potions professor anytime he opened his mouth.
"Page 240 Swelling solution. We will be testing it, so make sure it's right." Snape spat venomously.
Harry and Ron paired up, with Hermione pairing with Neville, simply because no matter how bad Harry and Snape felt towards each other, Neville probably felt worse. Ever since the incident with the boggart in Defence Against the Dark Arts Snape had devoted every waking moment to make Neville's life hell. That is, when he wasn't making Harry's worse. Harry wasn't really comforted by any of this.
Pulling his concentration back to his potion he managed to stop Ron in time to tell him that the Daisy roots weren't chopped finely enough. Snape did the usual rounds of his classroom, pausing ominously behind Neville before stopping at Harry and Ron's workbench.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't our little fainting Nancy. I must commend you Potter; your little stunt placed Slytherin on top of the Quidditch ladder. If only victory could be that sweet every time." Ron stood on Harry's foot, trying to get Harry's mind onto something else, instead of on what their potions professor was saying. Snape had dropped the customary comments before, but never openly goaded Harry so badly. "Did you need a little more attention ey Potter? Think your fan club was starting to wane. It's a shame your head of house was so quick thinking really, the way that dementor was coming towards you; you'd have thought it was going to give you the kiss while you were falling. Now there would be a bit of irony. Dementors kill the boy who lived, the very boy they were here to save." Snape sneered as Harry stood up, ignoring Ron's hiss to stay still. The stool crashing to the floor behind them. Harry said nothing, but the way he was staring at Snape sent a clear message. "McGonagall always lets you off. She have a soft spot for you Harry, does she make you feel all warm and fuzzy?" The room stilled instantly. Even the Slytherins couldn't believe he was commenting on McGonagall.
"Shut up," came a whisper from Harry, who hadn't moved from his position.
"Ooh, hit a nerve ey Potter? You got a soft spot for McGonagall have you? She's an old hag, never was good at proper discipline. Fan of your useless father too I believe. Full of himself, that one, surprised McGonagall didn't have a statue made of him, I mean" anything else Snape had planned on saying was drowned out by Harry's screams.
"I SAID SHUT UP!" launching himself at his potions professor he used the momentum of his push off to knock his Professor off balance. Caught off guard they crashed into Snape's desk Harry swinging wildly at his potions master's face, connecting a few on the sallow face. "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! YOU DIDN'T HEAR HER VOICE BEGGING! YOU KNOW NOTHING" Harry screamed as he swung and swung not really caring anymore.
He felt the side of his head explode and the floor give way before suddenly he was sailing up over the desks into the bookshelves at the back of the classroom. Looking up he realised that Snape had managed to connect his own shot on Harry's face and get hold on his wand which he was now pointing it at Harry a picture of shock etched on his features. Harry braced for a curse when there was a movement as all the Gryffindor's in the room moved in front of Harry, effectively blocking off Snape's line of sight. Nobody said a word, not even the Slytherins and not needing another chance Harry stood up and stormed out of the classroom slamming the door behind him. He raced through the dungeons and into the sunlight of the entrance hall. The anger dissipated as he walked through the doors. He could hear the clock ticking and it was strangely soothing to his wildly beating heart.
"Urgh," he said groaning at what he had done. He'd just hit his potions professor. It didn't matter what happened now, he was out for good. There was no way he was getting out of this. No more Quidditch, no more classes, which was a shame because he was really looking forward to his extra lessons with Lupin, no more McGonagall. His chest clenched at this and he thought about what that really meant. He'd realised the afternoon in the hospital wing when he'd shared the moment with his professor, that he was never really angry at her. He thought about what Dumbledore said about not leaving him with her anyway, even if she had adopted his mother. He was frustrated by the answers Dumbledore always seemed to give; they always seemed to leave Harry with more questions. But as he stood there he realised that he wasn't actually angry at anyone anymore. Too much of this world had been hurt by anger. Sighing, he wandered a little further out onto the grass before turning back to look at the castle. It was home, it kept him safe, and there were people here that cared about him. What would he do if he had to go back to live with the Dursley's forever and go to a muggle school and live without magic? He dropped to his knees and hung his head. He was done crying, but now more than ever, he wished he could just disappear.
Snape had almost instantly dismissed class as soon as Harry had slammed the door, telling them that there would be no more lesson today, but they were to stay in the classroom until it was time to leave before leaving the classroom himself. Not willing to do anything to upset the potions master everybody had simply chatted quietly.
"Bloody Hell," Ron whispered quietly as soon as he was sure Snape was out of the room.
"I need to get out of here," said Hermione. Ron just looked at her dumbfounded.
"Are you mad? After that you want to leave?" Hermione just rolled her eyes,
"You're so thick Ron." She hissed before grabbing her things and leaving hurriedly not caring about the incredulous stares she was receiving from both houses. She had a plan and she needed to find a certain transfiguration professor, fast.
Running through the corridor she skidded to a halt outside the transfiguration classroom. Unbeknownst to her Minerva McGonagall had just spied Harry outside in the corner of her eye as Hermione rushed into the classroom without knocking. Practically running to McGonagall's desk the first year students watched in awe as the stern transfiguration professor and the smartest witch in the school had a hurried, but whispered conversation.
"Stay here, they're doing a two foot essay on why transfiguration is so dangerous." Hermione blanched a little, before nodding, knowing that a replacement would be sent as soon as possible, and at the same time feeling a little bit proud that her favourite professor had deemed her capable to handle the group of first years even for a short time.
Minerva rushed into the corridor, sending a message to Albus telling him to take over her transfiguration class as soon as possible before practically running out of the main doors into the grounds. If she wasn't filled with dread, Minerva would have thought that today would have been a fabulous day, the sky was the most amazing cobalt blue colour that reflected off the lake almost perfectly. She slowed to a walk when she neared Harry, not wishing to startle him.
"Harry?" she said gently, "Harry, I'm going to sit next to you okay?" Harry didn't move, so she crept closer to him before easing her older body onto the grass, regretting her age a little as her bones creaked slightly. She sat with just less than a foot between them, again taking the philosophy of being near enough to do something, but not so close to alarm Harry.
"I have to leave." Harry said in an almost inaudible whisper. Minerva thanked whatever gods were listening for her super sensitive animagus hearing.
"Why?" She desperately wanted to hold him, but she was just as happy to have him talking to her again. Harry mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like Snape and Minerva frowned. Hermione hadn't said what had happened, but just that it was bad. "Harry I can't hear you."
"I hit Snape." He said simply but with good sense to sound shameful.
"YOU DID WHAT?" When Harry flinched, Minerva frowned. She hadn't meant to shout, but the idea of Harry hitting anyone was too disturbing to think about.
"He was goading me and I tried, god I tried," Harry ran his fingers through his hair, "He was talking about Quidditch and I could handle that, but then he started talking about the dementors and you, and then my Dad and I just, I couldn't handle it after what I heard when the dementor came, I just, I snapped and I hit him and then he blew me into the bookshelves." Harry finished quietly.
Minerva had never been so shocked in her forty years of teaching. She was speechless as she stared open mouthed at the boy next to her. She was about to launch into the biggest lecture of the century when Albus Dumbledore appeared beside them.
"Minerva I think you and Harry should take a walk to my office, I will join you there in just a moment." He said quietly looking at Minerva pointedly. Harry, needing no encouragement got up and moved back towards the castle, not meeting either professor's eyes as he left them, too ashamed of what he had done. He thought about sneaking into the bathroom and slicing his thigh a little bit, just to take the edge off, but he didn't really feel like it. He smiled a little at this notion and he gazed at the castle once more, amazed at how it made him feel safe, even now when he was sure he would be thrown out.
Albus took Minerva's hand, helping her off the floor, telling her to go easy on Harry, before escorting her in silence, back to the castle. They caught up with Harry a few moments before he got to the stone gargoyle guarding the headmaster's quarters. He waited with his head down as he listened to Dumbledore whisper the password.
"Ban-dia." He muttered, almost embarrassed and he was sure that Minerva had blushed. The inquisitive part of Harry's personality made a mental note to work out what that meant later, but didn't have time to ponder as Minerva motioned for him to get onto the staircase. After it had stopped, she let him enter the room first, crashing into his back as he stopped stock still in the doorway.
"Och, Harry, what on earth are you playing at." She said, slipping into her unclipped Scottish accent without thinking. Noticing Harry still hadn't moved, she looked up, following his gaze. She immediately knew why Harry had frozen. There, standing looking directly at Harry was Professor Snape. Without thinking, Minerva pushed past Harry and stormed up to her colleague, slapping him across the cheek. Harry's eyebrows shot up into his hair as he watched his usually stern professors glower at each other. "How dare you." She said as Harry stared at his Head of House.
What surprised him the most, however, was that Snape was not arguing with her. He stood still taking the berating and the admonishments. Dumbledore appeared suddenly at Harry's elbow, startling him out of his observation.
"Go and get her Harry," he whispered before going to sit at his desk. Harry did what he was told and went to Minerva's side, gently taking her arm. When she realised what was happening she ceased her scowling and with a final ice cold glare at Snape she sat down in one of the conjured chairs that happened to appear in front of Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore let them retain their composure for a moment before taking in the three people before him. Minerva had a few stray hairs come loose from her usually tight bun and it softened her face, even with the glare she kept giving Severus to her right. Harry refused to make eye contact with anyone, instead watching his shoes, but given the light, Albus could see the red mark on the side of Harry's face from where he knew Snape had caught him. Lastly, Albus looked at Severus, who looked shell shocked to say the lease. His usual hair style was all over the place and he had a split lit and a gash on his forehead. If it wasn't so serious, Albus would have chuckled at the irony of it all.
"Minerva, Severus has already explained what happened to me." Albus started in the tone of voice that seemed to command everyone's attention. "He has explained to me that he was indeed in the wrong and he has something that he would like to share with you." Harry looked up sharply at this. While part of his was happy for Snape to take the blame, the other part of him was horrified. It was as much Harry's fault. He should have kept his temper.
"Sir, that's not entirely true, I threw the first punch," Harry said quietly, but with conviction.
"Yes, dear boy, but I am also aware that you are still not completely over your encounter with the dementors and Professor Snape should have known better." He said sternly looking over his half-moon spectacles at the boy. "Minerva Severus does have something he wishes to say to you." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Severus, who looked like a twelve year old being told he had gotten a detention.
"Minerva, I said some terrible things about you and I apologise." He said quite sincerely. Harry just stared open mouthed. Snape had just apologised to someone. Harry felt a pair of eyes come to rest on himself and he found Dumbledore looking at him expectantly. He argued with himself for a moment, trying to find a decent excuse to not have to apologise to Professor Snape. Not finding one he sighed.
"I apologise for hitting you Professor Snape." He mumbled more to his shoes than his Professor. He didn't think he'd get an answer and was shocked when he heard a harsh voice mumble back,
"As am I Potter." Harry looked at Dumbledore, who seemed to know that this was as good as it was ever going to get.
"Right, well seeing that it over, Severus you and I will meet this evening for a little chat and Mr Potter you will serve detention every night of the week with Professor McGonagall." Harry could have sworn he saw Dumbledore's eyes twinkle as his heart dropped. A whole week's detention with McGonagall. Especially with how they were at the moment.
"Sir, what about Quidditch practise, and my Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson." Harry looked between the headmaster and his Head of House pleasingly. He assumed the headmaster would speak, but it was McGonagall who spoke first.
"Mr Potter, your actions today were of a nature that will not be tolerated here. You will serve detention with me every night and it will start after dinner in the great hall and will go until I say. You will miss quidditch practice," Harry went to argue but didn't get far, "No, you will miss it and that is final. As for your extra lesson with Professor Lupin I will speak to him about it." She glared at Harry, who sighed in defeat. Wood was going to kill him.
"Right, well seeing as that is all over and done with, Harry you will return to your classmates and you, Professors will return to your classes. Severus, if you need to go the hospital wing, I suggest you do it now, before the story floods the whole castle." Harry smirked a little as Snape's face went a violent purple, he smirk vanished instantly as he caught Minerva's hard stare. The three stood up and Dumbledore ushered them out of the room. "Just so you are aware," he said before they mounted the spiral staircase, "Sirius Black has been seen not too far from here and we will consequently be instructing the portraits guarding the students to change their passwords every day until further notice." The three nodded before riding the spinning staircase down, Snape storming off before the staircase had come to a complete stop.
"You will meet me in my office at 6 o'clock Mr Potter, and not a second later." Minerva said to Harry before they parted ways. She cautiously extended her hand, before thinking the better of it and withdrawing. "Please do not ever do that again," she said the soft voice that she seemed to save just for him and maybe Professor Dumbledore when they didn't think he was listening. It made Harry feel awful. He just nodded before leaving her side to go to charms.