Chapter 36

"I know we gave you a hard time earlier in the week, Harry," Ron began, while throwing a stone across the lake, causing it to skip twice before disappearing into the water with a plop. "But I'd really like to know how that defense study group you're teaching went on Wednesday night." He looked to Hermione. She was sitting against the trunk of a tree reading a novel, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. "We both would." He nodded, indicating he was talking about Hermione as well.

Genuinely surprised, yet extremely happy, Harry walked over to the tree Hermione was sitting against and sat down next to her. "Okay." Hermione closed her book and set it in her lap and Ron walked over to the tree. "Well….erm…" he didn't really know where to start. "Well, this first session was great. Everyone is taking me and the group seriously. I wasn't so sure when I first walked into the room and began talking."

Harry immediately remembered how over half of the students ignored him and kept on talking to their friends. It wasn't until he questioned them on what they wanted to get out of the study group that they truly paid attention. Remus could have stepped in right away, but Harry had told his professor that he wanted to start teaching from the very first lesson. Without any help…except if it was truly needed.

"Since this was our first meeting," Harry continued, "we just talked about what everyone wanted to get out of the group and how they wanted the meetings to be taught. The younger ones were very eager at the possibility of learning spells and charms the older years already know."

"That sounds great Harry," Hermione said. "Though I don't know why you didn't think you or the group would be taken seriously."

"I'm just a student," Harry said matter-of-factly, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.

"Yeah, but you're the Harry Potter," Ron added. He lowered himself to the grass so he was sitting facing Harry and Hermione. "Why wouldn't you be taken seriously?"

Harry turned his attention to Ron, trying to not let his words get to him like they always did. "Just because I'm Harry Potter doesn't mean students will take me seriously." He paused, and took a few breaths, hoping his brewing anger would leave his body with his the air in his lungs. "If anything," he began when he was calm again, "it would have the opposite effect. Especially after all the rubbish that's always being printed about me in the Daily Prophet. Both of you have read everything ever printed about me. If you were not my friends and didn't know me, would you take me seriously?"

"Yeah, guess you're right," Ron said resignedly. "Now that I think about it, I remember how Seamus treated you the start of fourth year." He also remembered how he had treated Harry also, but he wasn't going to voice that.

"What else do you have to share?" Hermione asked, knowing there had to be more.

"Teaching this group is going to be a lot of work. Don't get me wrong," he rushed out seeing Ron beginning to open his mouth. "It will be a lot of work before and after each meeting, but I know I'm going to enjoy teaching."

"What do you mean by a lot of work?" Hermione questioned, her interest piqued.

"Well, I'm required by the headmaster to write a report after every study session and turn it in to him before the end of the day on Fridays. Here, let me show you." Harry stood up and walked over to his book bag that he earlier had tossed on the ground closer to the lake. The three had intended to do a little homework in the nice March weather, but it was already late Saturday afternoon and they hadn't cracked open a book yet. He crouched down, rummaged through his bag and finally pulled out his defense group binder. With binder in hand, he walked back to the tree.

After sitting back down, Harry flipped through the binder until he found what he was looking for. "This is what I'm required to complete." He handed the piece of parchment containing the report outline to Ron.

Ron took the parchment and held it between two fingers like it was a dirty rag, his face scrunched up in disgust. The thought of having to do work not required for classes was maddening. He slowly looked over the outline.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Official Organizations / Clubs

Following the conclusion of every meeting of an official organization / club, a report is to be completed. Each report is to include the following:

Name of Organization / Club

Date of Meeting

List of all participants, including professors and students. Students must be listed by House and Year.

What topics were discussed / taught during this meeting? Explain in detail.

What were the results of the discussion and / or lessons mentioned above?

What topics will be discussed / taught during the next meeting?

What problems occurred during the meeting and how were they resolved?

Please forward completed report to the Headmaster by 5pm, two days after organization / club meeting.

After reading over the report outline, Ron's jaw dropped and he handed the parchment over to Hermione. "Blimey, Harry! That is a lot of work. And you don't mind?"

"Not at all." He took the parchment from Hermione who had just finished reading it herself. "I think that once I get going with the study group, the report won't take as much time to complete as the first few."

"I wouldn't count on it," Hermione said, picking her book back up. "I think you'll be surprised." Opening her book, she removed her bookmark, leaned back against the tree and continued reading.

Harry stuffed the outline back in the binder and got up to grab his book bag. "Why don't we work on our homework Ron? We've been out here for hours and haven't done anything."

"Yeah, I guess your right." Ron sluggishly got up and retrieved his book bag as well.

The two pulled out their transfiguration texts. Harry lay down on the grass on his stomach and opened the text to the assigned chapter and began reading. Ron pulled out a magazine and text, opened the magazine to the article he'd been reading last night, hid it inside his open text and sat against the tree.

~SH~

Severus glared at the headmaster as they rounded a large tree at the far side of the castle. "I still do not see why we could not discuss whatever it is you wanted to discuss in the castle, Albus."

Albus stopped walking and turned toward Severus, a glint in his eye. "It is such a nice day," he responded while sweeping a hand through the air and looking towards two birds fluttering in the sky above them. "You never seem to get out of the castle. I thought this would be a good time."

"Hmmph," Severus replied, holding his tongue. He was still angry with the man for his comments earlier in the month, and felt it wouldn't help matters if he blew up at him for something small like this. He might as well humor the old man.

As the headmaster started to wander towards the Forbidden Forest, Severus reluctantly joined him. After reaching the forest, Albus turned and began walking along the edge. He placed his hands behind his back and turned his head to Severus. "There has been a change in plans for the Easter holiday, Severus. I know you had mentioned that you will be returning to your home for the week, but I must ask you to change your plans."

Severus abruptly stopped walking. "What happened to Pomona staying at the castle for the week?"

"Well, she has…that is…she had a request from a distant family member to join her for the week in France."

"And you couldn't get Minerva to take her place?"

"Minerva already has plans," Albus stated matter-of-factly.

"As do I," Severus stated darkly. "Why not deny Pomona?" He would have felt bad asking the question under normal circumstances, but he had a hunch this was the old man's way of meddling in his and Harry's lives.

"She couldn't pass up the opportunity."

"And I, a professor who has never asked for this holiday week off, is denied?"

Albus remained quiet and began walking again.

"I know your intentions old man," Severus began, his voice like ice. "I will stay at the castle for the week, but I will not have you interfere with my life or with Harry's." With another cold glare toward the headmaster, Severus spun away and stalked back toward the castle, his robes billowing behind him.

Nearing the lake, he heard yelling. As the voices grew in volume, Severus increased his pace. The rage he felt upon leaving the headmaster minutes ago escalated a few moments later when he came across Draco and Harry, standing a few feet away from each other with wands raised.

Though livid with the situation, Severus hid the satisfaction he felt the moment Ron noticed his presence; the only one of the four. He and Hermione were standing by a tree quite a bit away from the two boys. "Malfoy. Potter. Lower your wands."

Draco slowly lowered his wand at the request, with a smug look on his face. He had nothing to fear. He knew the look on the professor's face was meant for Harry and not for him. He eagerly awaited the wrath his head of house would unleash at the Gryffindor.

Panting and slightly pale, Harry whipped his head around to the potions master, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. He gulped and lowered his wand as well, trying his hardest to stop his wand arm from shaking. The look on the professor's face did not bode well, though he knew he was somewhat safe for the moment.

Stepping up to the two, Severus glared at each one in turn then faced Draco. "You know better Mr. Malfoy. Five points from Slytherin." He lightly grabbed Draco's shoulder and turned him toward the castle. "Common room. Now."

Glancing back to Harry, Draco smirked then casually walked toward the castle, presumably to the Slytherin common.

Severus then turned his attention to Harry and looked at him with disappointment. "Potter. Fi…"

"Sir, I didn't do anything," Harry interrupted. "Malfoy started it."

Not appreciating the interruption, Severus stepped a little closer to Harry. "Do not. Interrupt. Potter," he hissed, his disappointment disappearing only to be replaced with extreme irritation.

Harry gulped again and stepped back. The man was definitely angry with him.

"But sir," Ron cut in, taking a few steps toward his friend. "It wasn't Harry's fault. He was just working on his homework when…"

Severus raised his head and glared at Ron. "Silence!" he bellowed. "Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley, for butting in on a conversation you are not a part of."

Cowering slightly, Ron stepped back next to Hermione while giving a small shrug to Harry.

Satisfied Ron wouldn't interrupt again, Severus turned his attention back to Harry. "Potter, detention. My office in thirty minutes." He whirled around and began walking towards the castle. "And fifteen points from Gryffindor for dueling on school grounds," he stated loudly while continuing toward the castle.

Harry swallowed as he watched the man walk away. He then turned toward Hermione and Ron who were walking up to him. "Why didn't you two try and warn me?"

"Sorry mate," Ron replied. "By the time I saw him, it was too late."

Hermione looked at Harry disapprovingly. "Harry, you knew fighting with Draco could land you in trouble."

Harry turned to Hermione. "So you're saying that this is all my fault?"

"No. I know it was Malfoy's. But Harry, you really need to…"

"Some other time, Hermione," Harry interrupted, not wanting or needing a lecture from one of his friends right now. He was too caught up in the look of disappointment that was on Severus' face. Distractedly, he walked over to his book bag, grabbed the book he had been reading when Draco dropped by to say 'hi', and stuffed it inside his bag. Swinging it on his shoulder, he headed to the castle, dreading what the rest of the afternoon would entail. It couldn't be any worse. He stepped two feet into the castle when he heard his name being called.

"Harry," the headmaster called out upon seeing Harry enter the castle. "Such a beautiful day out isn't it? I hope you plan to spend more time outside."

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, headmaster. It is nice out."

Albus smiled. "I need to have a word, Harry. Let's go on up to my office."

"Oh, erm…well…" He couldn't deny the headmaster, but he also knew he could not be late to his detention. "How long will this take sir?"

"Not too long. Why do you ask?"

"I just have to meet someone in twenty minutes." Harry did not want to the headmaster to know about his detention.

"I see," Albus said with twinkling eyes. "How about we just go to one of the empty classrooms?"

Nodding, Harry followed the man into the unused classroom across from the Great Hall.

~SH~

In utter shock, Harry sat in one of the chairs in the empty classroom five minutes after the headmaster left. He had to go back to the Dursley's for the one week Easter holiday. The first time in six years, he had to go back to that house before summer holiday. After immediately asking the headmaster why, the only response he received was that he had to go back to strengthen the wards.

It hadn't been outright discussed, but he thought he'd be living with Severus from now on and would never have to go back to that house again. Why did he need to stay for the week? Pondering that question over in his mind, Harry realized he should be heading down to the dungeon for his uncalled for detention. He quickly jumped up from the chair and began the trek down to the dungeon.

~SH~

Severus had just finished lecturing Draco about dueling on school grounds and had gotten an earful from the spoiled boy in return, causing his anger to rise. And as much as the spoiled Malfoy scion protested and argued, Severus still assigned him a detention. He hated giving his Slytherins detention, but knew it was necessary at times.

With a pounding headache, he angrily entered his office. Not only was he furious at finding two of his students with wands pointed at each other not more than a half hour ago, but he was also furious with the headmaster for his involvement in his holiday plans. Roughly, he took off his robe and hung it on the hook by the door.

Having some time before his other trouble-making student was due in his office, Severus began to clean off and rearrange everything on his desk. A number of times during his rearranging, his mind wandered to the bottle of fire whiskey he had in the cabinet in his quarters. As much as he wanted the soothing, calming effects of alcohol right now, he ignored the pull. He could not drink right now. Not with Harry due to his office in mere minutes.

A knock sounded on his office door a few minutes later. He looked to the bunch of quills tightly gripped in his hand as a slight feeling of frustration stole over him. "Enter," he barked out, while dropping the quills in the top drawer of his desk and pushing it closed.

"Sir," Harry said hesitantly, while closing the door behind him. Instead of walking into the room, he stood right in front of the door. In the time it took for him to slowly walk from the unused classroom to the potions master's office, Harry had a lot of time to think. He tried to push away his feelings on the upcoming holiday, as he could think on it later, and to think only about the incident on the lake.

Harry knew Severus had been exceedingly angry with him; it was obvious to everyone there, and he didn't like angering him. But what really bothered him was the extremely disappointed look he had been given. Harry looked directly at Severus, ignoring the unidentifiable floating objects and various other ingredients contained in the glass jars that usually made his stomach squirm. "Let me explain."

Anger beginning to claw its way out, Severus walked to Harry and gripped his shoulder, intent on leading him to a chair by his desk.

"Ow!" Harry yelped in surprise, and shrugged out of the man's grip.

At Harry's exclamation, Severus immediately grabbed Harry's jumper at the neck to pull it down, his anger quickly being replaced with concern. "What is the mat…" He stopped abruptly when Harry's shoulder was exposed. The pale skin was mottled with bruises and cuts.

Harry closed his eyes and swore to himself. He hadn't intended for his father to find out he was hurt. Not wanting to see the anger that was more than likely on Severus' face, Harry looked at the buttons on the man's shirt instead.

Lowering Harry's jumper on the other shoulder, Severus spotted more injuries; the same as the other shoulder. "Am I correct in assuming this is a result of your dueling with Mr. Malfoy?"

"I didn't duel!" Harry exclaimed. If only he was given the chance to explain. "I was…"

"Your injuries say otherwise." Severus pulled out his wand. "Remove your jumper."

Eyeing the wand in his father's hand, Harry took off his jumper, trying not to wince as the skin around the cuts on his shoulders pulled tight.

Trying to keep his anger in check at seeing the heavily bruised and cut body in front of him, Severus swept his wand up and down Harry's torso. Immediately the bruises faded and the cuts healed. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Harry shook his head. "No." While Severus replaced his wand, Harry looked at his shoulders and upper arms. The skin looked absolutely perfect. Feeling slightly upset, Harry looked up to his father. The man was at the side of his office rummaging around. Looking at his shoulders again, Harry pressed his lips together and put his jumper back on; trying to ignore what he was feeling inside.

He wasn't quite sure why he was feeling so upset at his father's actions, but he did. He hadn't wanted Severus to know that he'd been hurt, but since he ended up finding out, Harry hoped that he would have been healed in the same manner as he had been on previous occasions. Not by an uncaring wand. Did he make his father that angry with him? His mind immediately went back to the conversation he had with the headmaster minutes earlier.

After putting his wand away, Severus walked over to a counter at the side of his office. He had two large containers of vials that needed to be emptied and cleaned. He had intended on saving the task for one of his first years who would no doubt earn detention in the coming week, but changed his mind while waiting for Harry. "You will be serving your detention in the potions classroom." He stacked one container on top of the other and with them in hand, turned around to face Harry. "Your task will be to empty and clean each vial in these containers. I want them spotless. When you have completed that, you will restock the supply cabinet with the empty, clean vials."

"Yes sir," Harry responded quietly.

"Classroom. Now!" Severus hissed, walking past Harry and over to the classroom.

Harry followed, not saying a word.

Upon entering the classroom, Severus walked directly to the sink at the back of the room. None too gently, he set the two containers down; the glass vials tinkling against each other. "Begin." Without a glance at Harry, Severus walked to his desk at the front of the classroom and sat down. Giving a huff, as he had other things he wanted to do, he rolled up his sleeves, pulled out his seventh year's homework and began grading.

Walking over to the desk closest to him, Harry dropped his book bag on top and removed his glasses. He had begun to hate wearing them when they weren't needed. He looked from the vials, to his father, and back to the vials. He bit his bottom lip as he pulled out a pair of gloves, cleanser, some cloths and a small bottle brush from under the sink. After the water turned warm, Harry poured some cleanser in one side of the sink and while it was filling up, began emptying the vials in the other side.

~SH~

"Will you please let me explain?" Harry asked thirty minutes in to his detention. He was still elbow deep in suds cleaning out the vials, but the silence in the room, not to mention his father's anger, was getting to him. Especially since he hadn't been able to tell his side of the story.

"I do not want to hear your excuses, Potter," Severus spat menacingly, head bent over a piece of parchment.

Harry quickly turned around, soap dripping from his glove covered hands on to the floor. He felt like a bludger just flew into his stomach. He could hardly breathe. "Potter?" he said quietly, eyes widening. It had been months since the professor called him Potter with that tone of voice in private.

"Excuse me?" Severus asked still writing fervently on the parchment in front of him.

Harry kept quiet, still in slight shock.

Severus raised his head and looked at Harry in extreme irritation when no response came.

Seeing the look he was given, Harry swallowed and finally answered. "You…you called me Potter."

"So? That is your name, is it not?"

Harry looked down and noticed all the soap suds on the ground. "Well, its just…you haven't called me Potter in private since…since…"

"Spit it out, boy," he snarled, giving Harry a menacing look. "I do not have all day!"

The look in the professor's eyes took Harry's breath away. "Never mind sir," he whispered. He quickly turned around then let his head and shoulders drop as he felt a painful stab in his chest. The professor hadn't spoken to him or looked at him like that in many months; at least since the Christmas holiday, before things changed. It felt like the first five years of his Hogwarts schooling all over again.

He hadn't had a true detention with the man in months either. His detentions lately, if he received them at all, were spent working on homework or rebrewing potions. Thoughts of the conversation he just had with Dumbledore came rushing to the forefront of his mind. Obviously he had to continue living with the Dursleys. He misread everything the professor had said and done these past four months. He began to feel numb.

~SH~

It wasn't until Harry turned around to continue cleaning the vials that Severus realized what he had done and what he had said. He wasn't too sure why he did it, but he just did. It might have had to do with the anger and frustration he'd been feeling since speaking with Albus and Draco, but he was not going to put the entire blame on that. Placing both elbows on his desk, he placed his head in his hands and took a few deep breaths. Severus knew he hurt Harry just moments ago. The look in the boy's eyes told him everything. He needed to fix this.

After running his hands over his face, Severus stood up and began walking towards the back of the classroom. As he got a few feet away from Harry, he spotted the soapy water on the floor. He took out his wand and vanished the mess.

~SH~

Plunging his gloved hands into the soapy water, Harry cleaned out one more vial before he remembered the puddle of water on the floor. Not wanting to make the professor any angrier than he already was, Harry pulled his hands out of the water, took off the gloves, and grabbed a cloth that was setting next to the pile of drying vials. As he bent down to wipe up the water, a pair of black boots stepped into his line of sight. Harry carefully raised his eyes, and after spotting the potions master looking at him, quickly stood up, put his gloves back on and turned to finish cleaning the vials. "Sorry sir. I was going to clean up the water."

As Harry was about to grab another vial out of the sink, Severus stepped closer, took both of the boy's hands out of the water and pulled off his gloves.

Startled, Harry just looked at the man, not saying a word. He wasn't too sure what the professor was doing, but he thought it best to keep quiet.

Severus placed the gloves on the counter then retrieved Harry's book bag and glasses and handed them both to him. "Our quarters."

Beginning to feel nauseous, Harry nodded, took the offered items and followed Severus out of the potions classroom and into their quarters.

Upon entering, Severus went directly to the kitchen to put on water for tea. While gathering everything he'd need, he tried to figure out what exactly he needed to say to Harry and how. He realized he was in an extremely delicate situation.

Harry dropped his book bag on the ground, resting it on his leg, and stood to the side of the sofa after entering the living room. He was very uncomfortable with what was going on. With eyes focused on the floor as he listened to the man puttering around in the kitchen, he tried to will away the queasiness that began moments ago.

A few minutes later Severus entered the living room carrying a tray with tea. He immediately noticed Harry standing somewhat stiffly next to the sofa. "You can sit down."

Snapping his head up, Harry looked to Severus. Not wanting to annoy the man, he took a few steps and slowly sat down on the edge of the sofa, extremely tense.

Severus set the tray on the coffee table, picked up one of the cups, and handed it to Harry. "Here." He sat down on the other side of the sofa.

Harry took the offered cup, but didn't take a drink. He held it in his hands on his lap, drumming two fingers against the warm porcelain.

After taking a few sips of his tea and watching Harry just sit there, Severus placed his cup on the table. "What happened this afternoon by the lake?"

At the question, Harry fingers stopped. He thought for a few seconds before answering. "I was dueling with Malfoy."

"Harry."

Harry turned his head to look at the professor. "Don't you mean Potter?" Harry spat before he could help himself. At realizing the hurt that sounded in his voice, he quickly turned his head and looked to the cup in his hands.

Severus gave a deep, clearly audible sigh. He'd obviously hurt the boy more than he thought. "Harry."

Ignoring Severus, Harry closed his eyes, brought his cup to his lips and took a sip of tea.

Watching Harry, Severus realized he was beginning to shut down. The boy was clearly upset and Severus truly hated seeing him like this. "Harry, please look at me."

Reluctantly, Harry looked to Severus. He was slightly taken aback by the almost heartbroken look in the man's eyes and swallowed thickly.

"I am truly sorry, Harry. I have had an exceedingly trying day. I am sorry I took my frustrations out on you. You did not deserve my raised voice or my ire. I will not let it happen again."

Harry looked back to his cup again. Hearing the professor apologize began to soothe his queasy stomach, but not quite.

"I obviously hurt you by calling you Potter and with the way I said it." Severus watched as Harry gave a slight nod. When he didn't say anything after a few moments, Severus studied him. "You deserve my disappointment Harry."

At those words, Harry dropped his head.

Severus continued. "How can I not be disappointed by your lack of judgment out at the lake? You should know better."

Harry felt disgusted with himself. He hated, absolutely hated, disappointing Severus. But the words were true. He did deserve the man's disappointment, and he did know better. However, none of that seemed to matter to the deep hurt he was feeling. A hurt he still didn't quite understand. He set his cup on the table and sat back against the sofa. A few seconds later, he brought one knee up, wrapped his arms around his leg and rested his chin on his knee.

The position Harry took on the sofa spoke volumes to Severus, as he'd seen the boy sit that way on numerous occasions in certain situations. "There is more," he stated quietly, almost to himself. "Is it because of your detention?" Harry shook his head in the negative. "Is it because I wouldn't let you tell me what happened at the lake?" At Harry's whispered no, Severus racked his brain, but couldn't find anything else that would make Harry this upset. "Would you please tell me what else there is?"

Harry again shook his head in answer, as he felt Severus should know what else there was.

Sighed loudly, Severus closed his eyes briefly to give him patience. Sometimes the boy's stubbornness got to him. This was one of those times.

At the sound of Severus' sigh, Harry glanced over to him. He was disappointing the man again. "It's stupid," he finally answered quietly.

Severus was relieved at hearing Harry's voice. But his response bothered him slightly. "If it is upsetting you, it is not stupid. What is it?" he encouraged.

Harry picked up his cup from the table and took a sip. "You healed me with your wand," he replied in embarrassment, from behind his cup of tea.

"I healed you with my wand?" Severus questioned, knitting his brows in confusion. "I am afraid I do not understand."

"It's just, ever since I fell in the store room…you…well…you…" Harry fell silent, not able to voice the childish reason.

Severus' thoughts immediately went to that terrifying day in the store room and the subsequent days in his quarters caring for Harry. He understood immediately. "Ahh! I see."

Harry's face began to turn red. "I told you it was stupid."

"As I said before, it is not stupid if it is upsetting you." Severus got up and took a seat on the coffee table so he could be face to face with Harry. "Again, I'm sorry for my actions today. I never meant any of them to hurt you."

Hearing his father apologize once again, Harry dropped his head. Having someone apologize to him was still a new concept.

Severus reached a hand out to Harry's chin and gently lifted his head until they had eye contact. "I would like to start over." He dropped his hand from Harry's chin. "Would you please tell me what happened at the lake today, Harry?"

Harry stared hard at Severus before answering. "I was lying on the grass working on my homework with Hermione and Ron. Then Malfoy turned up. He stepped all over our texts and homework. I told him to leave us alone and go away but he didn't. When he wouldn't leave, I stood up to talk to him face to face. In those few seconds, he took my homework balled it up and threw it into the lake."

The rage Harry saw in his father eyes stopped him momentarily. He knew, however, that it was not directed towards him this time. "Luckily I had just started that assignment. I was still mad, of course, and so I began yelling at him. Next thing I know I'm on the ground in pain. I looked up and Malfoy had his wand pointed at me with a smirk on his face. I tried to stand up and that's when he threw another curse at me." He paused, looked to his shoulder, and then looked back to Severus. "You saw the results of that one."

"That was why you were so pale and shaking," Severus stated. He initially thought it was because Harry thought he was caught.

"Yeah. After that curse, while Malfoy was gloating, I was able to stand up. I started yelling again, telling him to leave us alone, when he raised his wand one more time. Not wanting to be cursed again, I raised my wand to conjure a shield to protect myself." Harry looked at Severus intently. "That when you showed up. That's why I had my wand raised. I didn't say a single spell. Honest."

Severus stared at Harry, completely speechless. He knew he should not have believed Draco's version of events when he spoke with him over an hour ago. The brat always embellished every tale he told. Harry, on the other hand, he could trust. The boy had never told him a lie; at least not since their new relationship began.

After fully comprehending everything that Harry said, Severus immediately stood up while taking out his wand. "Please stand Harry."

Harry looked at Severus in confusion, but did as he was told. "What are you…"

"I need to be sure you do not have any other injuries from that first curse Mr. Malfoy performed on you. Do you happen to remember what it was?"

"No, sir," Harry responded shaking his head.

"Very well. This will be quick. Please stand still." After a few swishes of his wand up and down Harry's entire body, Severus was satisfied. "You do not have any other injuries," he said relieved. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and directed him to sit on the sofa. "You can sit back down." Severus again sat on the coffee table.

Harry looked at his father questioningly. It still looked like the man had something important to say.

"I know you did not deserve the detention I had given you, and which you partially served. I will award Gryffindor ten points for my mistake. You will also be awarded fifteen points for my mistake in deducting points from you and Mr. Weasley down at the lake."

"But I…"

Severus looked at Harry meaningfully. "I will also award Gryffindor another ten points for you doing the right thing in a bad situation."

Harry couldn't believe it. The man had only taken a total of twenty points from him and Ron earlier in the day. Why was he awarding thirty-five points? "I don't…"

"Harry," Severus interrupted, "not many would act like you did down at the lake. My guess is that you said some things to Mr. Malfoy that were not appropriate," he smirked when Harry nodded, "but you did not react with violence. You tried to reason, or so I'm assuming. And when the time came where you knew you'd be hurt, you were going to defend yourself…without violence." He put a hand on Harry's knee. "I am exceedingly proud of you."

"Thank you," Harry said quietly with a small smile, still unused to praise.

"You are most welcome." He removed his hand. "In the future, if you ever come across the same type of situation with Mr. Malfoy, I would like you to just walk away. Actually, outside of class, just stay away from him as much as you can."

"Okay. I'll try."

"That is all I ask Harry." Severus then stood up and walked to the door. "Go on. Get out of here. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

With a smile, Harry grabbed his book bag, slung it on his shoulder and walked to the door. About to cross the threshold, he stopped and turned to Severus. "Thanks, sir." As he was still feeling confused about the headmaster's declaration earlier and of Severus' actions, he shied away from calling the man what he really wanted to. Dad.

Severus gave Harry a small smile and squeezed his shoulder in reply. Then he gave a gentle push to Harry back. "Get out of here." Severus stood at the open door and watched his son walk away. Once Harry was out of sight, he closed the door in extreme guilt.

After putting Harry's cup of tea in the kitchen, he sat down and began to finish his. A minute later, he heavily set his cup on the table and stood up. He had an important task he needed to complete. Leaving his quarters, he went straight to the Slytherin common room to speak with Draco. As evidence for the disciplinary actions he would be taking, Draco's wand would need to be confiscated and a test performed to see which spells were cast most recently. He would also need to test Harry's wand to cover all his bases. A letter, requesting his presence in their quarters later in the evening, would be delivered to him during dinner tonight.

Thanks for all the reviews and alerts! Sorry if this chapter seemed to stop abruptly. It was the only logical place for me to end it.

Hope everyone is still enjoying my fic.