Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you like this chapter!

A/N: If any of you read my Always series, the first chapter of the third story is now up! =)

"Welcome to your third year of Defense against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Lupin." Remus smiled at the class. "I understand that last year you did not learn much defense from your, um, professor."

Snickers greeted that statement as they were all reminded of Lockhart's incompetence. "Lockhart was such a dolt." Someone muttered and they laughed again.

Remus fought a smile. "Yes well, moving on. We will be studying boggarts today. Does anyone know what a boggart is?" He nodded to the student raising her hand. "Yes Miss…"

"Granger. Hermione Granger." Hermione said. "A boggart is an amortal shape-shifting non-being that will take on the worst fear of whoever views it."

"Correct! Five points to Gryffindor." Remus said approvingly. "Now, the way to repel a boggart is a simple charm. Repeat after me, Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" The class obediently repeated.

"This class sounds ridiculous." Blaise muttered. He narrowed his eyes when Harry threw him a dirty look.

"Very good. Now the way to change the form your boggart turns into is to imagine something humorous. Laughter is the key to getting rid of a boggart as it confuses them. Whatever form the boggart takes, imagine it instead as something funny." He gestured to the cabinet which was shaking randomly. "Who would like to go first? How about you Mr.-"

"Longbottom. Neville." Neville said nervously.

"Do you know what your greatest fear is Neville?" Remus asked.

Neville looked embarrassed. "Professor Snape." He admitted. Giggles were heard behind him and he blushed more. The Slytherins just rolled their eyes though some look amused.

Remus laughed. "Yes, Professor Snape is a bit scary. Now, I believe you live with your Grandmother correct?"

Neville nodded. "Yes but I wouldn't want the boggart to turn into her either!"

Remus smiled. "All I want you to imagine is your grandmother's favorite outfit. Get a clear picture of it in your head and when your boggart appears, point your wand and say the charm while still focusing on the outfit. All right?"

Neville nodded and took out his wand. Remus opened the cabinet and suddenly Professor Snape walked out and headed straight for Neville, a glower on his face. Neville pointed at him and incanted, "Riddikulus!"

The class burst into laughter as Professor Snape was suddenly wearing a dress, a purple hat and carrying a red handbag. The boggart began looking around in confusion.

The Slytherins tried not to laugh as they respected their Head of House but it was hard not to chuckle at sight of their Professor in old woman's clothes. Harry bit his lip trying not to grin and saw Daphne doing the same. Their eyes connected and they both ended up laughing.

"All right whose next?" Remus turned on some music as everyone began lining up.

Ron stepped up and the boggart changed to a huge spider causing many students to yelp with fear. Ron said the charm and suddenly the spider had skates on all eight legs. Ron burst into laughter at the sight.

Harry was still laughing at all the funny boggarts he had seen when it was his turn. The room began to get very cold and the boggart slowly changed into a dark shape, dressed in a hooded cloak of black cloth. Harry froze as he felt cold inside and a woman's scream once again filled his mind. "Not Harry, not my baby!" There was a flash of green and a high pitched laugh.

Harry vaguely heard yelling and the next thing he knew he was lying on the ground, surrounded by his friends and Professor Lupin. "Harry, are you okay?" Remus asked as he helped Harry sit up.

Harry wasn't. He now understood what he was hearing. His mother. He closed his eyes. "Harry?" Daphne said softly, putting her hand on his arm. "You're all right now."

"He's not all right, he fainted didn't he?" Ron snapped, clearly not appreciating that Harry's new friends were edging him and Hermione away from Harry. "This is the second time!"

"What a baby, fainting like that." Pansy snickered as she stood watching with the rest of the class.

"Shut up Parkinson!" Draco glared at her.

Pansy frowned and huffed, looking away.

Harry opened his eyes and stood up, feeling shaky. He shook his head when Professor Lupin offered him a bar of chocolate. He felt like he was going to be sick and didn't want to eat anything.

"Harry, you need this." Remus said softly, his brown eyes clearly worried. "Just one bite at least?"

"N-no." Harry still felt chilled and backed away.

"I think you should go to the infirmary." Remus decided. "Class is dismissed." He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and began guiding him out of the room. His friends followed.

"What happened?" Poppy demanded when her infirmary was suddenly filled. She noticed Harry's pale face. "Mr. Potter?"

"We were studying boggarts in class and his turned into a dementor." Remus told her quietly.

"Those disgusting creatures should not be even near this school, let alone on its premises." Poppy said as she ran her wand over Harry. "Has he had chocolate?"

"He wouldn't eat it." Remus said.

"I feel sick; I don't want to eat anything." Harry said, his teeth chattering a bit. He felt so cold and full of sorrow. He could still hear his mother's voice in his head.

The door opened and Snape walked in with Theo and Tracey behind him. "Great job teaching Lupin." Snape snarled. "Even I haven't had a student sent to the infirmary in the first class." He looked at Harry, concern in his eyes. "You will feel better when you have the chocolate."

"I feel sick." Harry said softly, hating that he felt so weak.

Snape lifted his wand and whispered a spell and instantly there was a mug of hot chocolate on the table next to Harry. "Sip that slowly and be careful, it is hot." Snape said and handed the mug to Harry. Harry took it and the first sip swiftly filled him with warmth. Wow. Now this was hot chocolate.

"Are you feeling any better?" Snape asked, pleased to see some color come back into Harry's face.

Harry nodded. "Yes sir. Thank you." He took another sip and felt more warmth flood through him. He felt less cold and less sad. He looked up at Snape. "I heard her." He whispered. "Just like on the train, only more loudly."

Snape frowned. "Heard whom?"

"My Mum." Harry answered, looking down at his mug of hot chocolate. He didn't see the way Snape stiffened. "I didn't know who the scream was on the train but this time I heard her. She was pleading for my life and then there was a flash of green and laughter." He looked up, his emerald eyes deeply grieved.

Snape stared at him for a moment. Harry had just heard his mother's last moments? Dear Merlin. Snape wouldn't be able to stand it if it were him. Without even realizing he was doing it, he put his hand on Harry's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm so sorry Harry." He murmured. "After you finish your drink, head back to your common room with your friends. We will talk later, all right?"

Harry nodded.

Snape instructed his students to make sure Harry got back to the dungeons, that he was to rest and that he would be there to speak to him soon. He ignored Ron and Hermione who were standing in the corner of the room looking confused to Snape's behavior. Snape went right up to Remus. "Are you completely incompetent?" He hissed.

"I didn't mean for this to happen." Remus said, looking upset. "I did not think his boggart would turn into a dementor! In fact, I had planned to stop him before he faced the boggart."

"That worked out really well didn't it Lupin?" Snape said sarcastically. "Would you like to know what he experienced? He heard Lily's last moments!"

Remus's eyes widened. "No. I wasn't aware that…" He trailed off. "Poor Harry."

"I believe the boggart turning into the Dark Lord would have been less traumatizing!" Snape continued, glaring at Remus. "That child has been through enough and he does not need this as well!"

Remus frowned. "What do you mean he has been through enough?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "Ask the Headmaster." He said shortly.

Remus nodded. "I will. Severus, I still do not understand why Harry is in your house. I hope you aren't treating him as if he is James. Even if he is like James-"

"He is not." Snape interrupted. "Unlike Potter senior, Harry does not bully students or think he is the center of the universe." If Snape had been told before school started that he would have been saying these things, he would have laughed his head off.

Remus stayed silent. "I'm glad he's not." He said finally. He sighed. "I'd like to talk to him. Tell him about his parents. I'm not sure what his relative's told him but I could tell him stories of when they were in school."

At first Snape wanted to say absolutely not as he did not want Harry near the werewolf. Having Lupin working here just brought back more bad memories of his school days. But he realized that Harry should know about his parents. Snape could tell him about Lily as a child and someday he probably would but there was nothing positive he could tell the child about his father, except for the fact that James had died trying to protect his family. Harry deserved to hear good things though and Lupin could provide that. "Perhaps," Snape said slowly. "You could teach Potter to cast a Patronus. It is advanced but I think he could do it and even if he could not produce a fully corporeal one he could do enough to help him. It would give you a chance to share your stories." He ignored the beaming smile on Poppy's face. Honestly, his reputation was going to be completely ruined before this year was out he just knew it. Hmm, perhaps he should issue out even more detentions and loss of points. That should help plus it was always fun.

Remus smiled. "That is an excellent idea Severus, thank you. I will discuss it with him during our next class." He hesitated. "Obviously you are a very good Head of House to Harry, I apologize for insinuating otherwise."

Severus inclined his head and then turned and stalked out of the room. He had wasted enough time with the annoying wolf.

HPHPHPHP

A couple of days later, Harry sat in the common room idly thumbing through his charms text. He was having a hard time concentrating as his mind was preoccupied with Dementor's, the fight with Draco, and concerns of what would happen when summer came around. What if Snape changed his mind about being his guardian? Snape had seemed adamant about it when they had talked after the Dementor incident, but as it wasn't official yet Harry still worried.

"Sickle for your thoughts." Daphne teased as she stood in front of him.

Harry smiled ruefully. "Too many thoughts, I'm afraid."

"Hmm." Daphne looked thoughtful. "Do you want to go take a walk? It's a nice day out and we can talk about anything or nothing." She shrugged. "It's a good way to clear your mind."

Harry stood up. "Sounds like a good idea to me. I can't concentrate on my homework anyway."

"Are you looking forward to your first Quidditch match this year?" Daphne asked as they walked out of the castle.

"Yeah. I love playing. Although with Ron's reaction I am a little nervous." Harry admitted. "What if everyone else has the same reaction? I don't want to upset anyone but I really do want to play."

"You shouldn't feel guilty for playing. It's Quidditch; it's supposed to be fun for everyone. And you're still being loyal to Gryffindor by not playing against them." Daphne pointed out. She grinned mischievously. "I admit though, I'm looking forward to seeing you play as a Slytherin. Hufflepuff won't know what hit them!"

Harry laughed. "Hufflepuff doesn't get a lot of credit but they have some solid players."

"Not as good as our players!" Daphne sang out, making Harry grin. They stopped by Hagrid's hut and Fang came running out to greet Harry.

"Hey boy!" Harry said, petting the large yet sweet dog. "Daphne, have you met Fang?"

"Um, not officially." Daphne reached out her hand for Fang to sniff before she gently scratched him behind his ears.

"Ello Arry! Ello Daphne!" Hagrid greeted them.

"Hi Hagrid. How do you like teaching so far?" Harry asked.

Hagrid grinned. "So fer it has bin wonderful! I have something special planned fer yer next class!"

"I like Hagrid but that makes me a little nervous." Daphne said after Hagrid and Fang had left. They continued their walk to the lake.

"Me too." Harry admitted with a chuckle. He watched the squid floating over the lake.

"Harry, how are you really doing?" Daphne asked after awhile.

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. So much has changed in such a short time. Mostly good changes though but it is a lot to take in." He sighed. "I'm worried that other people will find out about the Dursley's. I don't want anyone else to know. I know you guys and Snape won't say anything but well, what if someone had overheard Draco? I'd never live down the fact that I let my relatives hurt me."

Daphne looked him straight in the eyes. "You did not let them do anything! You're a child and they failed in their responsibility to you. Believe me, I know how easy it is to assume the blame but-"

"You know?" Harry asked, remembering her making a comment like that before when she told him to trust Snape.

Daphne sighed and nodded. "My Dad." She admitted. "He wasn't a nice man. He was also a big supporter of You-Know-Who. My Mum hated that he was and they fought about it a lot. She refused to join and after You-Know-Who's downfall he got more violent. As I got older I saw them argue and he..." She trailed off. "He hit her." She whispered. "He began hitting me when I tried to stop him and he slapped Astoria once. Mum took us and left but he wouldn't leave us alone. He wanted to take up where You-Know-Who left off and got into a fight with other Death Eaters who wanted to do the same thing. He was killed in a fight with them." Tears fell from her eyes. "I was so relieved that he couldn't hurt us anymore. Isn't that awful? He died and I was happy about it."

Harry put his arm around Daphne. "No, it's not awful." He said softly. "You and your family were finally safe from someone who was hurting you and may have done even worse to your family."

Daphne nodded. "I know. And honestly I don't consider him my Dad anymore. My Mum eventually remarried to a good man and he has been a great Dad." Daphne smiled slightly. "He's a muggle which was another reason Astoria was so upset about Draco's comment."

"Oh." Harry's eyes lit in understanding. "Poor kid. So how does he feel about magic?"

"My Dad? He's fine with it. My Mum told him everything before they got married and he is super supportive." Daphne answered. "I told you this because I want to you know that I do understand a bit of what you have been through, being hurt by someone who is supposed to love you."

Harry shrugged. "The Dursley's never wanted me though."

"They took you in didn't they?" Daphne pointed out. "If they took you in then they were essentially agreeing to take care of you and have you be a part of their family. They didn't do that obviously and they should be ashamed of themselves." She looked intently at Harry as if willing him to accept what she was saying.

"You sound like Snape." Harry teased.

"Professor Snape is good at helping kids through abuse. He talked to me when he found out I was having nightmares about my biological Dad during my first year. He's helped a lot of kids actually, whether it be just talking it out or removing them from their home." Daphne said. "That is why he is respected by us. He might not be warm and cuddly but he does care."

Harry held back a snicker at the comment of Snape being warm and cuddly but he did nod in agreement to what Daphne was saying. Snape had been more than helpful to Harry and he was even willing to take him in to keep him from the Dursley's. Harry hadn't respected the man before but he did now. "Can you keep a secret? I mean, it's not official yet."

"I won't tell anyone. What is it?" Daphne asked curiously.

"Snape is going to be my guardian." Harry told her.

Daphne's blue eyes widened. "That's wonderful! You'll never have to worry about your relative's again and he will protect you!" She threw her arms around him. "I'm so happy for you Harry. I know he is strict and well, scary but he really will watch out for you."

Harry held her and absently noted her hair smelled of vanilla. She pulled back and he smiled at her. "I believe he will too." He admitted. "It's so weird to think that after the last two years of animosity between us. But I've been learning that many people aren't what I thought they were."

"Ahh like Slytherins? Well, most Slytherins." Daphne amended. She wrinkled her nose. "Pansy and Blaise and their group are not a good example of what it means to be a Slytherin."

"Daphne, thank you for telling me about your past. It helped." Harry said after a moment.

Daphne titled her head to one side. "Do you think any less of me? Do you think I'm weak now?"

Harry looked startled. "Of course not! It wasn't your fault and there was nothing you could do…" He trailed off.

"There was nothing you could do either. I know it will take time for you to believe it and I understand that you have been through more than I even know but I still think you should tell Ron and Hermione." Daphne said softly.

Harry sighed in exasperation. "Why?"

"Because it will bother you until you do." Daphne said matter-of-factly. "You three are close and it must be hard to keep something like that from them."

"I'll think about it." Harry said finally.

"Ready to head back? I have to make up something to predict for Divination." Daphne rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, me too." Harry said. He made a face. "I should never have signed up for that class. I mean, our first lesson and she predicts my death."

Daphne laughed. "Right, the grim." She shrugged. "Ignore her, I heard that she predicts the death of a student every year and is always wrong." She grinned. "I suppose we must broaden our minds and look beyond!" She said, mimicking Professor Trelawney.

They were almost back at the castle when they stopped suddenly.

"Hey Potter is it true that you are playing Quidditch on the snakes team?" Sixth years Cormac McLaggen and Alexander Williams had walked up to them and were sneering at them.

"I'm playing on my House team yes." Harry narrowed his eyes. He remembered how Cormac had acted when it was announced Harry would be put in Slytherin.

"They're supporters of You-Know-Who! They want him to return!" Cormac continued angrily. "They are all Death Eaters in training."

"No, not all of them are." Harry said firmly.

"Unbelievable. Already he is sticking up for them. You've been corrupted Potter." Alexander said in disgust. "We expect better of our hero."

"I'm not anyone's hero nor do I want to be!" Harry said angrily.

"Why don't you two just keep walking?" Daphne added.

"Shut up Death Eater wannabe!" Alexander hissed.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Harry stood in front of Daphne protectively.

"How can you be friends with them? How can you even stand it?" Alexander said in disgust.

"Yeah, you may be forced to be in Slytherin but if you were a true Gryffindor you wouldn't befriend any of them. And you certainly wouldn't play Quidditch on their team!" Cormac spat out.

"Just tell us that they are slimy snakes that can't be trusted and we'll know you haven't been corrupted." Alexander said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I have nothing to prove to you." Harry said coldly. "Let's go Daphne." He turned and began walking away.

"No! Harry, behind you!"

Harry quickly turned around with his wand out. "Protego!"

The curse Cormac threw hit the shield.

"Are you crazy!" Daphne yelled at Cormac.

"It wouldn't have killed him. He needs a shock to get him back on track." Cormac said as he put his wand away.

"Mr. Potter why do you have your wand pointed at another student yet again?" Professor McGonagall demanded. She had just rounded the corner to find them.

"I was protecting myself Professor." Harry answered.

Professor McGonagall looked around. "Protecting yourself from what?"

"McLaggen threw a curse at Harry!" Daphne said, glaring at Cormac and Alexander.

Professor McGonagall stared at the two sixth years. "Is this true gentlemen?"

"No Professor. I just told Harry to be careful around the Slytherins just in case they tried to prank him and he pulled his wand on me." Cormac lied.

"That's not true!" Harry protested. "Daphne saw!"

"She's in his House of course she will lie to protect him!" Alexander said with a smirk on his face.

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Mr. Potter, this is not the first time you have attacked students this year." She said finally.

"I didn't attack him Professor!" Harry couldn't believe it. Suddenly he remembered what his housemates said about Slytherins not being treated fairly.

"You had your wand trained on him Mr. Potter. I have to go by what I see." Professor McGonagall said regretfully. "Twenty points from Slytherin and I will be speaking to Professor Snape about this."

Harry stared at her, shocked and hurt by the injustice. Without another word he turned and walked away, ignoring Professor McGonagall's call for him to come back.

Harry walked up to the owlery, a place he liked to go to think. Daphne was with him but kept silent, sensing that he needed to think.

"It's not fair. It's just like with Sinistra." Harry finally said. He chuckled ruefully, even though he didn't find the situation funny. "I guess that's childish of me to say. I know things in life are not fair."

"I know you do." Daphne said softly. She smiled as Harry pet Hedwig. "She is a beautiful owl."

"This is Hedwig. She was my first birthday present that I remember getting." Harry said, looking at his familiar fondly. "Hagrid got her for me when he took me to get my school supplies."

Daphne looked at him sadly. The first time he remembered getting a gift was when he was eleven? And by someone who was a stranger to him?

They were both quiet for a moment. "What happened with McGonagall that just happens to us. Just like in class with Professor Sinistra. In Slytherin, if it's something like this, something unfair, no one gets mad. Now if a Slytherin actually deserves the points they lose that's a different story. Then everyone gets upset, especially Professor Snape as we lose enough points unfairly as it is."

Harry shook his head. "It wasn't right. You were my witness and she didn't care. I mean, this time I used my wand simply to protect myself and not to throw a hex and I still got in trouble."

Daphne touched his arm gently. "I know. Don't worry about it Harry it's not worth getting upset over."

"Thank you." Harry said as they began walking to their tower.

"For what?" Daphne asked curiously.

"For listening to me. It helped. Again." Harry told her.

"Talking things over does help, whether it is something that is upsetting you or something bad that happened to you." Daphne hinted.

"I thought Slytherins were supposed to be subtle." Harry rolled his eyes as they entered their common room.

"I don't think subtle always works with you." Daphne threw him a grin.

Harry laughed, feeling much better than he had earlier.

TBC: Review if you can! =)