Thank you to the beta of this chapter- songofstars

Chapter Thirty Three – Pushing Boundaries

Harry woke up in the familiar surroundings of his Potion Professor guest bedroom and relief flowed through him and what was even more surprising was that he woke up alone. No one was sitting in the room with their eyes glued to him in case he suddenly decided to jump out the window or strangle himself with the bedsheets. To finally have some privacy felt amazing to Harry, the air around him seemed lighter, there was no more of that crushing feeling that consumed Harry since entering the Burrow, he was finally free...except for the metal wristband.

The wristband resembled one of those muggle hospital wristbands, it was charmed and would send out an alarm to Snape if he harmed himself in any way. Harry cursed the damned thing, especially when the charm wouldn't allow him to slip the band off his wrist. It was much better than having someone follow him around but it still felt invasive but he couldn't really complain or risk having eyes on him twenty-four seven again.

After running his fingers through Hedwig's feathers and grabbing her beak and gently shaking it a little, something she seemed to enjoy, he forced himself out of bed and over to his trunk to get some fresh clothes.

"Why don't you go for a fly around the castle this morning?" Harry suggested to Hedwig as he opened the window. "You haven't been for a good fly for a week, you must be feeling cooped up."

Hedwig just ruffled her feathers as she perched herself on the nightstand. She wasn't going to leave her human when she could still sense that he wasn't himself. She could tell that Harry became a lot happier and relaxed once coming back to the castle, but something was still wrong with her human and she wasn't going to leave until he was back to his old self.

"Alright don't go but you're not coming in the shower with me" Harry said before making his way to the bathroom and closing the door, something he wasn't able to do for a week and he loved listening to the clicking sound the door made when it latched shut. Turning the shower on, he started to undress, catching his reflection in the mirror. Harry couldn't help but to stare at himself, dark circles laid under his eyes, his pale skin stretched over his ribs and spin and bald patches of different sizes littered his head.

Harry leaned forward and lifted his top lip finding his gums red and raw underneath, Even after fourth year and his run-in with Voldermort, he didn't look this bad. He was revolted by his appearance. He didn't realize that those potions did this much damage to him, he looked like he hadn't eaten in months.

Unable to stand the sight of himself any longer, Harry jumped into the shower after so long of not having one since he had refused to shower for a week since he wasn't allowed any privacy. All the sweat and dirt from the last seven days had built up and he was starting to feel gross.

The hot water felt so good on his skin and he could feel himself start to relax a little, he closed his eyes as he allowed the water to run over his face, allowing his mind to go blank.

…

"I must tell you that I have my doubts about this plan of yours. I still believe Harry will do better at the Weasleys', '' Dumbledore spoke as he sat at Severus' kitchen table after an unwanted visit from the man.

"Once again, this is not your choice to make, it's Harry's," Severus said as the bathroom door could be heard closing.

"Are you sure it's wise to leave him alone?" Dumbledore questioned.

"After Harry and I returned form the Burrow last night, we had a little talk. The boy reluctantly agreed to a charmed bracelet that will set off an alarm to Poppy and I in case the boy harms himself in any way. It gives Harry more privacy and freedom, Severus explained. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to have breakfast in peace."

"I can take a hint" Dumbledore said kindly before standing up and straightening his robes out.

Severus rolled his eyes. The old man didn't seem to take the hint this morning when he told him he was busy and unable to talk. The man had made himself comfortable at his kitchen table.

"You are aware that a staff meeting is taking place in a couple of hours?" Dumbledore asked before leaving the chambers.

"I am aware. Harry's friends will be coming over. I sent them an owl last night after Harry went to bed explaining what went down and that I would need them to babysit the boy for a few hours. Even though Harry has the bracelet, I still don't completely trust him," Severus admitted.

…

It wasn't long after Dumbledore left that Harry made his way out of the shower and into the kitchen, wearing one of Dudley's oversized sweatpants and hoodie to find his Professor setting up breakfast.

Eggs and bacon with toast along with the needed potions next to his plate. Harry couldn't help but turn up his nose as he looked down at the disgusting potions. Harry could have sworn that the shiny blue one tasted like athlete's foot that's been running marathons in the same sneakers for a week.

"What do you want to drink?" Severus asked, hearing that Harry entered the kitchen.

Doesn't matter, nothing is going to get rid of the taste of feet in my mouth, Harry thought to himself before sitting down at the table. "Doesn't matter...pumpkin Juice," Harry mumbled as he started to look around the table.

"All of your potions are there," Severus said as he set Harry's pumpkin juice down before sitting down himself with a mug of coffee.

"Not looking for potions," Harry muttered as he pulled his chair out a little and searched on the floor.

"What are you looking for?" Severus questioned even though he had a slight idea of what Harry was looking for.

"Daily Prophet, it's not on the table," Harry said before coming back up from under the table. "Where is the paper?"

"There's no paper, I cancelled my subscription," Severus explained.

Harry pressed his lips together firmly as he pulled his chair back to the table. "What happened to me making choices? I don't get to choose if I get to read the paper or not?" Harry asked as calmly as he could.

"We discussed this last night, you get to make decisions but there are still things you don't get to control and one of those things is the paper" Severus explained. "And don't think about asking Cinsy, she has been ordered not to get you the paper," Severus added.

"As well as my friends, I'm guessing?" Harry spat before taking in some deep breaths. "I would like to read the paper…please."

"There are plenty of things to read around here. You still have that book you borrowed from me. How about you go and get that to read this morning?" Severus suggested in an effort to get Harry's mind off the paper.

Harry could feel himself grow from mad to furious at Snape. He needed to know what was being said about him, he knew that was the only reason the paper was being held from him. He needed to know what everyone was thinking about him.

Harry bit the inside of his lip as he pushed the potions away. "I'm not taking my potions!" Harry spat out.

"This is not negotiable, take your potions," Snape said in his cold, emotionless voice.

"Give me the paper," Harry said, standing his ground. He didn't care how cold Snape's voice got, he wasn't going to back down.

Snape leaned back in his chair, tapping his index finger on his mug. "You're going to set your recovery time back."

"I don't care," Harry spat. He didn't care that he was being childish, he didn't care that he was a child holding his breath until he got what he wanted.

"Alright, don't take your potions," Snape said with a shrug before going back to his breakfast. If Harry needed to learn the hard way, then so be it. He wasn't about to give in to the child just because he's refusing to take his potions. If Harry needed to feel the pain his body was going to be in to realize he needs the potions, then so be it.