Unlikely Savior – Chapter 6 (Revelations)

Desmond grinned as he heard Harry starting to stir. After their conversation, their first real one besides the one on the train. It had only been a day or so. Harry had passed out shortly after taking his potions and a cup of tea.

There was a loud groan that echoed through the room. It was accompanied by incoherent mumbling, apparently the teen was not a quiet waker.

"Morning sleepy head," Desmond teased.

"I… actually slept?!" Harry muttered bemusedly as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes.

Desmond laughed, "didn't believe me, did you?"

Harry shook his head out of disbelief, "how are you better with potions than Snape or Pomfrey?! It didn't even taste bad!"

Desmond smirked, "well… I did tell you that I would lace it into your tea. That is not even counting the potions I handed you."

"Couldn't even tell…" Harry repeated with a chuckle and shook his head. "It was a nice change not having to try to keep them down and being able to rest."

"Well, whoever told you that they can't be altered either lied or is a fool. Or it is possible they don't know how. There is a way, so it doesn't taste as bad. But you have to be careful, so they don't nullify the effects of the potion," Desmond explained.

"Maybe, you could teach me sometime?" Harry asked blushing. "I mean… the theory at least, while I am on bedrest? If it isn't a bother…" He broke off sighing, think it was just a dumb question. Why would Desmond want to do that for him?

Desmond hummed, "I thought you didn't want to do any homework while on rest?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the older teen.

"I don't mind interesting or useful learning, but most of our homework is writing down what we already learned in that lesson. Most of the time it's just essays on previous weeks of material."

"I may be convinced to show you. Providing you can show you've done the homework for your other classes," Desmond grinned. "But you will wish it was only essays later. NEWTS is nothing compared to OWLS."

"Thank you! I won't let you down," Harry was shocked before grinning happily. Then he frowned upon realizing something. "That is if I survive this tournament to see my NEWTS. I couldn't even stop an attack from another student…"

"If you think that everyone expects for them to be attacked, you are wrong. But you can learn from this to do better. But not only is this on you, but it is on me. Because I was supposed to be looking out for you. But there is more," Desmond suddenly cleared his throat near the end of that. He slowly sat down on the edge of Harry's bed.

"Minerva was able to trace the signatures from around the library. She stopped by this morning while you were still sleeping. I will say this much, they won't be getting away with this."

"Who was it?" Harry asked softly, biting his lip, it had to be bad if Desmond was hesitating. "They were Gryffindors, weren't they?" He asked, his voice filled with dread. It was like he just… knew.

"Yeah… it was the three Gryffindor chasers," Desmond admitted quickly, like ripping off a Band-Aid.

The hot rush of anger filled his very soul, scorching his body as it rose up slowly. Finally, Harry had reached his breaking point and snapped.

"Well fuck them!" was the snarl, it startled Desmond, as it was only the second time he had heard the well-mannered boy swear.

"They sing my praises when I catch the Snitch and when I risk bodily harm to win. When it suits them, because I am the so-called hero of the Wizarding World. But the moment it doesn't benefit them, they turn on me! Well, I am done! Done trying to be their poster boy! Done trying to be who they wanted me to be! I should have let the hot put me in Slytherin!" Harry ranted.

Desmond knew all too well what it felt like to be looked at like an icon. He knew there might be a breaking point, he had hit several of those himself.

"Slytherin? I could see that. Thought I can't see you putting up with Malfoy. Especially eh incident on the train. Though I imagine your teammates will be quite ecstatic when they hear about their punishment," Desmond remarked.

Harry let out a hearty chuckle.

"Yeah, my first two meetings with Malfoy were basically the reason I fought with the hat. And because it was Voldemort's house. I don't hold it against the house now, but as an eleven-year-old that was new to magic… I didn't want anything to do with them…" Harry paused, taking a look at the smirk on Desmond's soft lips.

"What punishment?"

"Well… I can't say for what Professor McGonagall will dish out. Though I may not be able to kill them as long as they aren't a Templar or Death Eater. But there is nothing that says anything against maiming or harming for retribution."

There were two sides in Harry that were fighting against one other. On one hand, he did want the revenge against those that hurt him. This wasn't just simple name-calling or taunting from Malfoy. That he was able to fight back easily. It had been bad enough where he wasn't even able to walk yet because his bones were still mending. Though his softer side wound up blurting out.

"Wh—what? No! You don't need to do that," Harry stammered. Although he had bonded and opened a bit to Desmond. Especially where he had helped him yesterday and continued to. He still wasn't used to someone wanting to help him. But here he was… this deadly assassin with hazel eyes, promising retribution to those that hurt him. Who probably knew several ways to kill someone.

"Harry, I swore I wouldn't let this happen again, not on my watch. But I am not going to stand by and let someone get away with it. They deserve everything that is coming to them. Because even looking at facts. They attacked you, they attacked a fifteen-year-old. Using lethal spells and curses that would cause damage, permanent damage. They knew what those spells and curses would do, "Desmond spoke calmly like he understood Harry's reluctance.

His voice had actually soothed Harry, making him feel safe, protected, but most of all, accepted. He allowed a soft smirk to appear. Licking his lips before nodding. He wouldn't let them get away with it, the same way Desmond refused to them get away with it. Somehow, he knew that this had been done on purpose. It wasn't just some harmless hex. He still didn't know what the purpose was for. That thought pulled Harry up short.

"Why did they attack me?" Harry's brows furrowed.

"Do you want my personal opinion or what you probably wanted to hear?" Desmond asked.

"Have I asked you to sugar coat anything yet?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

Desmond snorted, "you haven't said not to either. And not everyone can handle me being blunt. And don't think I didn't see you going green from talking about your injuries the other day. And that wasn't the full detailed explanation either."

Harry gulped at the serious expression, "It's not easy to hear. Especially now that I know who was behind it. I trusted them, considered them friends." Green eyes swelled with tears and they flowed out and over his cheeks. He could feel the dam finally breaking.

"But I need to know. I need to know why they would turn on me so badly. It hurts, and honestly, I don't know if it is the right choice, but I need to know."

That had made Desmond hesitate, he had been there before. Wanting to know why some of the assassins had betrayed him. Knowing what would happen to him if he had been captured by the Templars. But apparently, they hadn't cared. They had been killed by the betrayal eventually. But that never eased the pain. He wasn't sure on how well Harry would handle it. There was a difference on being the outsider and witnessing things. Opposed to knowing them and experiencing it firsthand.

"Don't say that I didn't warn you," Desmond said.

"You want me to be honest? Then here it is... They saw you as a threat. Here they are, seventeen and at the age to try for the chance to die in a tournament. A very dangerous tournament that has documented deaths. And then, all of a sudden, they are seeing a teenager that is in their place. A teenager that is two years younger than them. Who is taking away any rights they believe they have. They are seeing a younger teenager who is taking away their chance to die for the stupidest reason of all, glory. They are not seeing a teammate; they are seeing a rival."

Harry blinked rubbing the tears away, tilting his head to the side.

"I am a threat because I was chosen by the goblet?!" He asked, "but that doesn't make sense. Three other students were chosen as well. I didn't even enter! They were friends. Surely they should have known I didn't do this!" Harry felt the anger finally overpowering the sadness.

"That's the question, isn't it? And how many of those so-called friends have believed you?" Desmond challenged.

He knew it was cruel, but he knew it would be necessary. Just because someone called you their friend didn't mean that was actually true. He didn't want him to be in his place where it was too late to see that.

Harry felt his breath hitch, green eyes impossibly wide at the brutal question. He could feel the tears welling again, it was like he was on a bucking broomstick of emotions. Why couldn't he get a hold of his emotions?

"I... I mean... Neville said he believes me, but I never expected him to publicly stand by me. He isn't comfortable standing against the entire school. I think Dean believes me, but he would never go against Seamus and he is one of the most vocal against me cheating." Harry sighed, wiping away the tears. "Fred and George stand by me, even in public. But they are in their N.E.W.T year, and we only really have quidditch in common." Harry felt his heart sink with each admittance. It was like a crushing weight settling down on his chest. He felt himself gasp for breath, his sight was blurry, and before he knew it, he was struggling to breathe.

"Harry! Harry, breathe." Desmond coached, he lifted Harry's hand and placed it on his chest. "Follow my breathing, match my pace. I need you to take in a deep breath. Hold it for five seconds and let it out in three. Breath in. Hold it for me; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now let it out, 1, 2, 3. Good! I need you to do it again with me. But keep focusing on me and let's go again. Breathe in; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Hold it for me and out; 1, 2, 3."

"Keep breathing with me," he said, as he kept repeating this with Harry until his breathing was more even. So, that it didn't sound like he was choking on his breath and that they were nice and steady.

Desmond eased Harry's hand to where it was on his skin, "can you feel my hand? You are not anywhere in Gryffindor Tower; you are in my Sitting Room. Nobody can enter my room without my say. Can you feel the texture of the bedding?"

It felt like an eternity before Harry felt like he could actually take in a normal breath, though it was a bit shaky at first. But the firm grasp of Desmond's hand was calming and kept him grounded in reality.

"How is your vision? Can you see alright?" Desmond asked, a bit hesitant.

Harry felt a slight shiver run through him, "better," he admitted.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Desmond waited until Harry nodded at his question. He kept eye contact to see if his eyes were still wide with panic. He knew it may be bad, but he hadn't expected that type of a reaction.

"Harry, I did not tell you so that you doubt yourself. One, you asked, and I told you. Though I do reserve the right to say if you are ready to hear such things, especially while you are on the mend. And another, you need to realize who is actually on your side and who is pretending," Desmond said soon as he realized Harry wasn't going to pass out on him. Perhaps that conversation should have been held off until he was healed. But at least he was able to calm him down. Though he was going to keep a very close eye on him.

"I know." Harry rasped; voice rough as he caught his breath.

"You haven't lied to me yet. It just hurts that I hadn't seen it myself. I let myself believe I had friends that liked me for me for five years. Is it me?" Harry asked, green eyes imploring, his confusion was prominent.

"Harry, I swear it isn't you. But unfortunately, with the fame that comes with your name, attracts the unworthy." Desmond said firmly. "But you need to think about who you want around you. Who you trust."

Harry nodded, taking it all in seriously, trusting Desmond more than anyone he had before. It was slightly unnerving.

"The last thing you want to happen is trusting the wrong person and it ends in your death..." Desmond advised seriously. Though he was glad Harry looked a lot calmer. Though obviously a still bit shaken.

"Thank you, Desmond. I really mean that." Harry smiled shakily. He wasn't sure if he was thanking him for grounding him or for his words. Perhaps it was both.

"Of course. Unless you ask of it, I will always tell you the truth. I don't make idle promises either," Desmond grinned, he had a scar on his lip, Harry noticed with a blush.

"Now, you are due another pain potion," Desmond stood up, pausing at Harry's head, leaning over he rested his hand on Harry's forehead.

The fifteen-year-old felt his face heat up, the blush reaching down to his collarbone.

"Your fever has gone down." Desmond nod in approval before making his way to his bedroom. The necessary potions were in there still. He would lace Harry's tea with that. Much easier to keep down. Though he may need to use one of the Potion labs to make more potions. He still had several on hand and they would last for a little bit. But it wouldn't go far without making any more. Too bad he didn't have somewhere here in his rooms where he could do that.