Chapter Seven

"I don't understand." Nicholas shook his head as he and Harry ate breakfast in the Great Hall. "Is it because of Sirius?"

Harry frowned, twirling his spoon in his porridge, but not eating it. "No," he answered. "I'm always nervous before a Quidditch game."

"But you usually eat a spoonful of at least something. Right now, you've had a sip of juice and so far nothing else." Nicholas gave Harry a look but said nothing else about it. Instead, he said, "Well, I hope you can still play through this rain."

Harry looked startled. "Rain? It's raining?"

"Uh-huh," Nicholas replied. "Just a bit though, nothing to worry about I don't think."

"It's just rain?" Harry asked tentatively.

Nicholas gave Harry a quizzical look, but nodded. "I think so—why?"

"I couldn't play if it was storming out," Harry answered honestly.

"If it was really bad out I don't think you'd have to play," Nicholas replied. "Then again, I'm not sure. Why, scared of storms?" Harry gave Nicholas a look, one which he immediately understood. "Ohh you are... well, I wouldn't worry. I'm pretty sure it's just raining."

Harry nodded and looked up at the staff table, which he usually did, and tried to catch Severus's eye. Usually before a game, Severus would always give Harry an encouraging, wordless nod from the staff table, which would normally boost Harry's confidence a little.

But now, it seemed that Severus was purposely ignoring Harry. He wouldn't make eye contact, no matter how long Harry stared.

What was going on?

-

As Harry made his was onto the pitch, he noticed that it was definitely more than a little bit of rain. It was coming down so fast and violently, Harry wondered how he was ever going to be able to see.

"Harry!" It was Nicholas's voice that called out his name. Harry turned around and saw Nicholas come up to him.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked. "You're getting soaked!"

"Just want to wish you luck before the game," Nicholas said after a moment, since a forceful gush of wind had momentarily taken his breath away. "Lots of people are cheering for you!"

Then Nicholas ran back to the stands as Harry went further onto the pitch. Already his glasses had accumulated so many raindrops that all he was able to see were dots of rain, causing his vision to become blurry.

Harry wasn't doing too good. Besides not being able to see, every time a clap of thunder had shook the sky, Harry would wince and momentarily lose grip on his broom.

Then, just as Madame Hooch blew her whistle, the first bolt of lightning lit the sky. Luckily Harry was on the ground by then, but that didn't stop him from tripping—but that could have been because of his poor vision, too.

It was a time-out as Harry followed his teammates under a rather large umbrella; and then Nicholas and Hermione appeared, holding a cloak above their heads as shelter from the rain.

"Hermione had an idea about your glasses, if they're bothering you," Nicholas explained. "Can she…?"

"Go ahead," Harry answered.

Hermione pulled out her wand and tapped Harry's glasses, saying, "Impervius!"

Harry was amazed as the water began to repel from the lenses.

"Thanks," he said gratefully. He watched as Hermione gave him a grin, and slipped back into the stands.

"She's getting used to us," Nicholas remarked with a nod, talking about Hermione. "Doesn't say much, can be rather awkward with us sometimes—but she is.

"Oh," Nicholas continued suddenly. "Sirius is watching you too—looks so proud. Did you hear him? Blimey, was he cheering loud for you! Doesn't matter that you're playing for Slytherin, nope. Your dad on the other hand..."

Harry frowned, nervously looking back as everyone began to go back onto the pitch to resume the game, then looked back at Nicholas.

"What about my Dad?"

"I don't even really think he's paying attention to the game. Too busy staring at Sirius. No, sorry, too busy glaring. Most hateful glare I've ever seen in my life—"

The frown remained on Harry's face, but he began to back away. "Sorry, I have to go back—"

"Good luck!" Nicholas called before running back to the stands.

Then the game started up again. Harry tried to concentrate, not on the rain, thunder and lightning, but on finding the Snitch.

Every time thunder hit, however, Harry would wince, and every time a crack of lightning lit up the sky, Harry would cringe. With all of this, it was impossible for Harry to focus on the game.

Harry then saw the Snitch through the veil of rain. Not far—and Harry went for it. He could feel the Ravenclaw Seeker not far behind him, gaining up speed—

Arm outstretched, fingers spread far apart, ready to curl tightly around the Snitch, Harry was jolted as a flash of lightning struck his broom, and he was going down... but at least he had his hand firmly clamped around the Snitch.

-

Harry could only make out a few blurred faces as he awoke, but that was only because he realized he didn't have his glasses on. When they were placed on his nose, the faces then became clearer: Sirius, Nicholas and Hermione.

"Are you okay, kid?" Sirius asked softly as Harry blinked a few times, adjusting his eyes to the light. "That was some fall."

"Fine," Harry answered, his voice sounding a little hoarse and raw. He turned his gaze to Nicholas eagerly. "Did we win?"

"You betcha," Nicholas said, rather cheerfully. "You made me proud, Potter-Snape, that you did! I mean, except for the falling part, it was amazing—you still caught the Snitch! I'm glad you're better and awake now," he added quickly.

"He's not the only one you made proud out there," Sirius said with a smile. "You were a natural."

Harry blushed, then gave Hermione, who stood by Nicholas, a small grin. She returned it.

"Glad you're awake, Harry," she said.

Harry, as he took in all the faces, noticed that one that was expecting to see, wasn't there.

"Where's Dad?" Harry asked Sirius after taking another look around.

"He got caught up," Sirius answered, frowning. "Davy Brighton. Never seen a kid who talked so much. Snape has been by your bed ever since your fall," he added after noticing Harry's rather upset look. "I know he'd want to be here when you woke up. I sort of hate to admit it kiddo, but it seems our Snapey has a heart after all!"

"How long have I been asleep?" Harry asked quietly. "Has it been... long?"

Nicholas was the one to answer. "Almost a day, maybe a little after. Dumbledore was the one who got you first—sort of waved his wand then you slowed down as you got closer to the ground. You know, Snape did look worried as he went over to you... the most worried I'd ever seen him. You don't have to get that... that angry, sad look on your face that he's not here—"

Harry scowled. "I don't have an angry, sad look on my face! Dad can be wherever he wants, it doesn't need to be with me."

"Well you don't have the look on your face now," Nicholas replied. "But you did, not too long ago—"

"Hey, I have an idea," Sirius interrupted. "Why don't you and Hermione go and... do something... while I talk to Harry?"

"All right," Nicholas agreed, rather reluctantly. "We will be back, Harry!"

Harry watched as the two left, then slowly turned his gaze back to his godfather, who was staring at Harry quietly.

"What?" Harry asked with a curious frown.

"It's not your fault," Sirius said after a while. "That Snape's not talking to you much anymore. It's because I'm back, and it looks like he might be a little jealous..."

"Why would he be jealous?"

Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me. Maybe he thinks that you'll have a change of heart and suddenly want to come live with me?" Sirius then held up his hands, quickly saying, "Just hypothetical of course, I know you want to stay with Snape. But maybe he doesn't know that, so thats why he's acting his normal cold, heartless, slimy way.

"Don't worry Harry," Sirius continued. "I mean even I noticed the way he's been acting, but don't let it bother you. When he realizes that you're not going anywhere, he'll come off it." Sirius ruffled Harry's hair as he stood up. "I should go tell old Moony that you're awake. He wanted to know so he could come and see you."

"Oh, Sirius?" Harry asked before Sirius had a chance to leave. "My broom—what—?"

Sirius frowned, scratching the side of his head. "Well you see... when the lightning hit, it sort of... and the end of it kind of... and it was smoking—"

"In other words, it's in bad shape," Harry interrupted flatly.

Sirius nodded apologetically. "In other words, yeah."

Harry sighed, leaning back onto his pillows and resting his eyes. So, he knew why Severus was acting so oddly—or, had a hypothetical reason at least. Harry just hope he'd get over it soon.

-

A/N: All right, so I've never had lightning hit my broom before—but lightning can reach temperatures approaching 28,000 °C, which is pretty hot, so I'm guessing that it could ruin a broom... well, anyway, thanks everyone and R + R—I appreciate it!