Chapter 35: Dark Mark

Harry woke sleepily the next morning and headed to breakfast before potions. Hermione and Ron met up with him in the Dining Hall. "Hey, Harry," Ron said, as he climbed onto the bench beside Harry. Hermione smiled at him from across the table.

"Hey guys," he mumbled sleepily.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione inquired.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired. I didn't sleep much last night." Hermione gave him a quizzical look as Ron piled sausages on his plate. "I read the Daily Prophet," Harry answered quickly." Hermione shot Ron a glare then looked at Harry with concern.

"Oh Harry I'm so sorry—" she began, but Ron cut her off.

"It's my fault, I should have moved the paper."

"No," Harry growled, dangerously low, "you guys don't have to protect me." Harry stood, grabbed an apple and biscuit, and turned to leave.

"Harry, please don't go. I'm sorry. We're just worried about you," Hermione pleaded.

"Yeah, mate," Ron lowered his voice, "You just tried to commit suicide."

"RONALD!" Hermione roared.

"What? It's true and it's why we're worried about him. Isn't it?!" He retorted.

"YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ME! I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! Can't you see I don't give a damn about other people and what they say?" Harry lied through his teeth. "You don't have to fucking protect me!" Harry spun around and smacked into Severus. "Sorry, professor," he grumbled and stalked off to potions.

Harry sat at his normal place and looked at the time. 7:32. Shit, I'm early and obviously Snape isn't here yet. His attention drifted to his potions knife. It felt so good last night, he thought as he picked it up and turned it over in his fingers. Just one more release. He pressed the blade to the skin of his wrist and inhaled, reveling in the feeling of the cool steel against his hot skin. Just before he pushed the knife deep enough to break skin, the coolness of the steel disappeared from his hand and wrist. Harry opened his eyes and found himself face to face with Snape. "Shit," Harry breathed.

"Mr. Potter," Severus said slowly, "Why?"

"I—"

"You don't know," Snape guessed, sounding snarky as ever. His eyes betrayed him, they begged Potter to understand that he cared and was worried. He just didn't want his Slytherins to know.

"Right, I don't fucking know, Professor."

"Language. Detention, Potter. Tuesday," Severus said, smirking. Malfoy came up behind him snickering.

"Shut up Malfoy," he growled and Snape turned to Potter, raising an eyebrow. Harry shut his mouth and glared at his desk. Snape had set his Harry's knife at the top of Potter's desk with a not tucked beneath it. Harry reached for it, careful to grab both the note and the knife.

Potter,

Should you need assistance before tomorrow, report to my office. But write first.

SS

Harry smiled at Severus while Malfoy and his friends taunted a Gryffindor. Snape inclined his head slightly.

The remainder of Monday and beginning of Tuesday flew by. Harry almost felt like himself, aside from the judgmental stares and whispers of suicide. Harry shrugged them off and headed to the dungeon for his "detention" with Snape. He knocked. "Enter." Snape said clearly. Harry pushed the door open and stepped in, closing it behind him. Severus put up a silencing charm. "How are you, Harry?"

"Fine, Professor—er, Sev. I'm just sick of all the lies, rumors, and whispering. They have no idea what kind of shit I go through for them…" Harry ranted for five minutes and Severus listened, silently. When Harry remained quiet, Snape spoke.

"I know it's hard to have people whisper about you, all the time. And everything else. You have more stress than anyone your age should have. But Harry, you're strong, you're determined, you're stronger than their words, lies, and jabs. You will defeat the Dark Lord, then they too will see the greatness I see in you." Harry felt the prick of tears in his eyes and fought to keep them from leaking down his face.

"What if I can't do it, what if I can't defeat the Dark Lord?"

"Harry, don't say that. You can and you will. I will be there with you, and I believe in you, Harry. Nothing will ever change that." Harry nodded and walked over to Snape, burying his face in his robes. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and held him tightly. Harry let go and walked back to a chair. He got some of his homework from his bag and began working on it. Eventually, he pushed it aside, put his head down, and fell asleep.

The following weeks progressed much like this one. The number of whispers and stares dwindled to nearly nothing; but Malfoy made sure Harry didn't forget about them entirely. Harry ignored almost every but Severus and his friends. It was the last Tuesday before finals and Harry walked into Snape's office for their meeting. "How are you?" Severus asked, preparing tea for Harry and himself.

"I'm alright, Sev. I'm worried about my exams but that's normal, right?"

Severus nodded, "Right. Have you decent marks?"

"Yes."

"Good. I—" Severus grimaced and clutched his dark mark. Harry rushed to his side. "Harry, no, let go! He's angry!"

"You're taking me," Harry said, wrapping his arms around Severus.

They apparated.