A/N: This chapter is mainly dialogue. I'm sorry, it had to be done. The next one will be up shortly.

Chapter 21: "Detention"

Harry woke early the next morning and checked the notebook.

H-

Sorry, I didn't get your message until late, I had a lot of grading to do. Do you want to talk?

-S

Harry sighed and grabbed his knife. He drew a line down his arm, blood dripped off. Damn, I can't even deal with disappointment like this.

S-

Nah, its fine. Blood drip

-H

The response came immediately.

POTTER! MY OFFICE NOW!

-S.

He didn't go to Snape's office, instead he headed to breakfast alone. As he spooned some cereal into his mouth, someone dropped in beside him.

"Potter." Ugh, Malfoy. What the hell does he want? "Word on the street is, you've been in the hospital wing."

"And?"

"And so has Snape. What did you do to him?"

"Nothing."

"I don't think it's a coincidence. I'm not an idiot, Potter."

"How 'bout you leave me the fuck alone, Malfoy!"

"Potter!" A silky, low voice replaced Draco's. "Detention. Tuesday." Malfoy smirked and stalked off. "Do. Not. Be. Late."

"Yes, sir," Harry replied glumly.

The rest of the day went by with little incident. As did the following day.

Before Harry knew it, it was Tuesday 6:54pm. He was sprinting to the dungeons, trying to not be late. He arrived and found Snape sitting at his desk, feet crossed atop it. "You're early, Mr. Potter," he said uncrossing his feet and standing.

"Yes, sir."

"Please, have a seat." Harry did as told. "How are you doing?"

"I've been alright. Ron and Hermione have basically ignored me for the past two days. I guess they don't care—that's a lie. They care too much. I want them to drop it."

"Harry, you have to understand, they need some time to accept what you told them," Snape replied calmly.

"Why?! It's not like it happened to them! They didn't do anything! Its fine," Harry yelled.

"They feel guilty because they couldn't be there for you!" Harry stayed silent. "How would you feel if one of your friends told you something like that? How would you respond?"

"Probably how they are right now."

"Exactly." Harry sighed.

"Break is coming is coming up soon, right?"

"Yes, where are you going with this?"

"Well, Ron and Hermione might be going home and I was wondering if…."

"If?"

"If I could stay with you again," Harry tensed and looked down, expecting a negative response.

"Sure. You're welcome to, if Dumbledore allows it. I'll chat with him about it." Harry shuddered, he hated the thought of Snape asking Dumbledore about his personal matters.

"Have you told him yet?"

"About?"

"My cuts?"

"No, I haven't. I understand what it's like to know something and not want him, or anyone, to find out. Have you done it recently?"

"Err…"

"Show me."

"They're on my hips." Snape raised an eyebrow and Harry stood and pulled the edge of the waistband of his jeans down ever so slightly. Just enough for Snape to see some long gashes.

"Why?"

"I haven't really had anyone to talk to and… It's comforting."

"You can always talk to me."

"I know but I should be able to deal with my life on my own."

"No one can go through life entirely on their own."

"Didn't you?"

"Not entirely. I had a bit of help… but I didn't exactly turn out well, did I?"

"No, but…."

"Harry you can talk to me whenever you want. We have the journals, you can come to my office…"

"I know but it's not that… I know you can't always talk to me. You have school and papers to grade… remember?"

"Yes, but I don't want you to think that cutting really is your only option." Harry sighed.

"You're right. I know it's not my only option, but we've been over this. It comforts me. Dealing with people is too stressful. All these people. I can't deal with them this much."

"I understand your desire to be alone."

"Professor, if you don't mind, I'd just like to work on some homework… but can I stay here with you?"

"Fine. I'm working on a potion." Snape turned and walked into his lab where he stirred a cauldron once clockwise and once counterclockwise. He came back in his office and sat down with a book.

"Thanks," Harry said when he returned. He pulled his potions book from his bag along with a roll of parchment and began an essay on Wolfsbane and its properties. The hours flew by and before he knew it, Snape was shaking his shoulders.

"Potter, you fell asleep!"

"Muuugggrrrrnuh?"

"You have to go back to your dormitory, it's past curfew. Hurry." Harry stood, nodded, and grabbed his things. He burst through the door and sprinted through the school until he reached the Gryffindor common room. As he stepped in, Ron and Hermione greeted him.

"Harry! Where've you been?" Leave it to Hermione to being the questioning.

"I thought I told you, I had detention with Snape."

"Oh, sorry mate," Ron said.

"You were with Filch, weren't you?"

"Yeah."

"What'd you have to do?"

"Err, clean bathrooms"

"That sucks."

"It was bloody terrible!"

"I'm sorry, I'm exhausted after mine with Snape. The git made me clean all the cauldrons. Twice! As it that wasn't bad enough, I had to separate worms for his second years."

"Eesh, Harry, go get some rest," Hermione coaxed.

"Yeah, we'll see you tomorrow. We're working on that essay for potions. Have you done any of it?"

"Yeah I'm done," Harry said as he left the room and walked to his bed. He stowed his journal beneath his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.