A.N. "blah" is speech, blah is thoughts, ~blah~ is parseltongue
Harry closed the door behind him, walked to the chair in his room, and setting his head on the desk, face buried between his arms. Harry doesn't want to lie to the professor, but didn't want to tell him of…that…either.
Harry Potter's from the future, he knows everything. Everything, not only including the war with Voldemort, but the tragic life of a man named Severus Snape…
His hard childhood, bullied school life, destined to fail love…
Harry knows how the man is proud, how he protects his dignity. When Harry saw the professor's most humiliating memory, he kicked him out and didn't teach him occlumency after that.
Proud as Snape is, once he knows someone knows about all of his wounds and weaknesses, he will never have anything to do with that person.
Harry has already established such a good relationship with the professor, must everything go back to the way it was?
Of course not. He promised happiness for the professor, so he can't let him distance himself.
If that day must come, the pray to Merlin that he can drag day until the last moment of his life.
Harry propped up his head, lifting his spirits. He still has a lot to do, he can' dwell on this.
He grabbed his quill to scribble on a piece of parchment, "Lea, please search for the Histonian Runes, they may have to do with the dark mark and horcruxes. Harry"
He sealed the letter carefully, deciding to send it off in the morning. Then Harry let out a deep breath, and began to think about what Dobby said today.
First, he can now say definitively that the petrification was because of the cup that Bellatrix put into the school, probably since she couldn't get him so instead taking it out on the students. Then she went to Malfoy Manor for help, probably to find their lord, but was refused, hence leaving angry. In that case, Bellatrix will probably return to Hogwarts and continue to harm the students.
Harry rubbed his brows, thinking it is a good time to pay the chamber of secrets a visit.
He wasn't wrong. That evening, Professor McGonagall found a petrified Colin Creevey on the stairs leading to the kitchen.
Monday morning, the news of Colin Creevey was attacked, now lies in the infirmary flew around the school. Suddenly, rumors are flying everywhere, and everyone is on edge. The first years are always grouped together, as if going out alone will mean getting attacked.
The second petrification clearly gained more attention. If Mrs. Norris seemed like a prank, then this time a student petrified is not so easy.
During this time, the students, behind the professors' backs, exchanged protection charms, evil repellents, and other trinkets to protect themselves. This spread out the entire school, and in a few days time, everyone had some sort of protection on them. Crystals, silver bracelets, even oriental mahogany pendants—originated from Cho Change. Of course, there's the gross stuff like stinking onions, or rotting newt tails.
Harry went to see the Moaning Myrtle after class on Monday?
"So? Did anyone come here?" Harry asked hurriedly.
The Moaning Myrtle nodded proudly, "I was just about to go find you! The night before last someone came. He opened some sort of contraption by the sink there and a big hole appeared. He jumped in, didn't come back for a long time."
Harry's brows furrowed, "Do you know who it was?"
The Moaning Myrtle shook her head, "I don't recognize him, all I can say is he is a tall Hufflepuff."
Tall…Hufflepuff…
Harry contemplated for a moment, nodded, then smiled, "Alright, thank you."
The Moaning Myrtle's cheeks flushed a silvery blush, and smiled shyly, "It would be better if you could come more often."
The second week of December, the heads of houses began tallying up the list of people staying at Hogwarts during Christmas. Since Harry invited Draco to 12 Grimmauld Place over Christmas break, he went to remind him again.
"Harry, sorry, but I have to decline…" Draco said with a frown.
"Why?"
"Father sent a letter this morning telling me not to go back during Christmas break, to stay at Hogwarts and don't go anywhere," Draco said, "It's gonna be my first Christmas away from home."
Harry thought about something, "Did you father tell you the reason?"
Draco shook his head defeated.
Probably afraid that Bellatrix might show up again…Harry consoled his friend, thinking that Mr. Malfoy made a good choice. That woman is crazy, and family isn't something she'll keep in mind. Draco will be safer at school, at least, the professors could protect him.
These days, Harry and Snape's interactions in the dungeons have taken a turn. It was as if the conversation that day broke some sort of balance, leaving them both with a slight ache in their heart. Harry was back to the polite student, and the professor is quieter than usual. Even if their potions lessons continued, their interactions have become a bit unnatural.
They tried to maintain what they had before, but they both knew that somethings, were broken.
Harry doesn't know when this will end, nor does he know how to break this estrangement. All he can do is to let things pan out. He doesn't want the professor to distance himself, but is saddened to see that become the truth.
But, he has no choice.
He began spending most of his time on studying the Histonian Runes, leaving him no free time to dwell on these emotions. But, the results were wonderful. With his, Lea's and Grindelwald's collected efforts, they have had some conclusions on the study of the Dark Mark. He wrote to Grindelwald that they will meet to further discuss it during the Christmas break.
A week later, Harry was passing through the notice board to see a small crowd in front of it, reading a freshly pinned parchment.
Harry walked up to take a closer look, and discovered it was about the Dueling Club. Remembering Lockhart's pathetic performance, Harry decided he didn't want to miss out.
So, 8 o'clock that night, the students returned to the hall to find the long dining tables have vanished. A stage appeared along one of the walls, the hall illuminated by hundreds of candles floating in the air. The ceiling turned into a velvety black instead of the usual starry night. Almost the entire student body showed up, crowding. Everyone had their wands drawn, excited about the upcoming lesson.
"Who's going to teach us?" Everyone discusses amongst themselves.
Just then, Gilderoy Lockhart strutted on stage in his usual purple red robe, ever so brilliant. Next to him is none other than Snape, in his usual black robes.
Lockhart waved to get everyone quiet, then shouted, "Come around, come around! Can everyone see and hear me? Yes? Good! Professor Dumbledore has given me permission to open this small Dueling Club, to train everyone in case one day you'll need to protect yourself. Protect yourself in ways that I have used countless times—to know more, do read my books."
Harry scoffed, turned his eyes and unexpectedly focused on the black figure behind Lockhart.
At the same time, Snape noticed Harry's gaze. They watched each other for a split second before both averting their gaze.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart said, a big smile on his face, "He's told me that he knows a thing or two about dueling. He generously promised to assist me in a small demonstration before the lesson. Oh, don't worry—I'll return your potions professor perfectly back to you after the demonstration, don't worry!"
From Harry's position, he can clearly see the potions professor's lips press together from discontent, Harry couldn't help but look forward to what is about to happen. Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other, and bowed. Or at least Lockhart bowed, flipping his wand around flamboyantly, while Snape just nodded his head impatiently. Then, then lifted their wands to their chest as if wielding a sword. "As you see, we are holding our wands in a dueling stance," Lockhart said to the silent crowd, "On the count of three, we will perform our first spell. Of course, none that would cause actual harm." "I wouldn't bet on that," Harry saw Snape bare his 'fangs' and said lowly, "One—two—three—" Both raised their wands pointed at the other. Snape said a quiet "Expelliarmus," and a flash of red hit Lockhart, sending him off his feet. He flew backward off the stage hitting the wall, sliding down into a crouch on the ground.
Draco and a couple Slytherins clapped and cheered. Harry heard Hermione scream, "Do you think he's alright?" "Who cares!" Ron and Neville replied at the same time. Lockhart stood up shakily, his robes a mess and his hair standing up on end.
"Alright, everyone saw that, yes!" He returned to stage staggering, "This is the disarming charm—as you see, I lost my wand—ah thank you, Miss. brown. Yes, Professor Snape, a wonderful idea to show them this charm. But, I must say, your intentions were quite clear. If I wanted to stop you, it wouldn't take much effort. I actually think, that to give them a better demonstration, why not let them see…"
Snape is glaring at Lockhart murderously as if he's a dead man. Lockhart probably noticed, when he suddenly changed what he was about to say to "That's it for the demonstration! Now I will split you into twos. Professor Snape, if you are willing to help me…"
The wafted through the crowd, splitting everyone into pairs. Lockhart made Neville and Justin Finch-Fletchley into a pair, and put Harry and Draco together.
"Nott, you and Macmillan," Snape said lazily.
The Slytherin came face to face with a Hufflepuff.
Harry smiled at Draco, the blond boy lifted an eyebrow and said, "Did you notice, Professor Snape definitely wants to kill Lockhart right now."
"I concur."
"Face your partner!" Lockhart returned to the stage and shouted, "Bow!"
Harry and Draco stopped their conversation, not watching the other.
"Raise your wands and prepare!" Lockhart shouted, "On the count of three, cast the spell and disarm the other—just disarm—we don't want any accidents. One—two—three—"
Harry has yet to cast the spell when he heard commotion in the crowd to his right.
Harry turned to see Nott yell "Serpensortia!" and a long black snake suddenly emerged landing hard on the floor between him and Macmillan, then raised its head ready to charge. The crowd screamed while backing away, leaving an empty space.
"Don't move, Macmillan," Snape said, "I'll get rid of it…"
"Allow me!" Shouted Lockhart. He raised his wand brandishing it at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud thud. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Harry and raised itself again, fangs exposed poised to strike.
Suddenly, something happened to the snake and it began glowing a strange red hue, its slithering getting faster, fangs giving an off-putting glow.
Harry felt odd about it, and was just about to cast a spell when he heard—
"Sectumsempra! Diffindo!"
A deep voice sounded from in front of Harry, with an almost unnoticeable hint of anxiousness.
The snake was blasted into a black smoke, dissipating in the air.
Harry calmed his nerves and raised his head.
Green eyes met black.
This time, he finally saw the concealed emotions in those obsidian eyes, but…
Harry's mouth twitched, a mix sourness and feelings of gratitude rose in his heart.
Severus Snape, after everything you can't stand to see me in danger. But…for who?