Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

A/N: Hello! I'm back on tome with another fun chapter!So this one is sorta like my consequences chapter, but this time for the troll incident.Enjoy!

Chapter 13 - The Learning Curve

Harry awoke in unfamiliar surroundings. It was a jarring experience, as before, whenever he awoke, he had always known where he had fallen asleep. It was not that the surroundings were jarring, per se, rather that it's difference from the norm upset Harry's structured lifestyle.

In fact, one could even suggest that the surroundings were comfortable, pleasant. It was a fairly light room, with draping curtains of white, with a sterile kind of smell. The bed he lay in was soft and refreshing, and his cushions were plump. Beside him were a pair of tables, each adorned with gifts and tokens. Between all this and the matronly lady in front of him, he quickly deduced where he was.

The infirmary was larger than what he expected, although Madam Pomfrey looked just as his father described - stern and ever-watching, but fair and caring.

'Ah, you are awake,' she said in a flat tone, as if it was perfectly ordinary for a student to be coming out of a coma, from facing a fully grown Cave Troll. 'You gave quite a few people a shock young man, even some Gryffindors. We weren't certain you would make it, let alone keeping all of your limbs.

Harry raised an eyebrow, before trying to lean up. That proved a mistake. He collapsed back into the bed, groaning at the excruciating pain in his abdomen, weak arms giving out.

'Now, now,' she warned sternly, wagging a finger at him. 'We shan't be doing that, now, shall we. That was a very near miss you had back there.'

At last, his mind managed to get a few of his muscles to work. 'How… long was… I out?' he slurred slowly, each syllable sending a new wave of pain through his body.

'You were in and out of a coma for the first week, so we had to place you in a healing trance, in order to safely re-attach your legs.'

Carefully ignoring the second part of the question, Harry managed to force out another question, with a steadily growing fear. 'You said… first week. How… long?'

She levelled him with a stern, yet somehow sympathetic stare. 'It is the thirteenth of December. I am sorry you have missed out on so much education.'

The thirteenth of December. Six weeks and a day. So much time he could've spent seizing Hogwarts and it's students. At least two quidditch games. 'How… long till… I'm out?'

'Till the twenty fourth,' she replied sternly. 'You can leave that morning. And no Quidditch for the rest of the year.'

Harry jolted awake once more. Again, it was jarring, but this was for a different reason. He could clearly remember the conversation with Pomfrey, but not passing out. This time, however, he was greeted by a familiar face.

'Harry!' Draco exclaimed. 'You're awake! Madam Pomfrey told me you had been lucid, but I couldn't believe it!'

Harry managed to raise an eyebrow. 'Doubting I would be strong enough?'

Draco smirked. 'Nah, you were just asleep when I came back. It's been a day since you first woke up.'

Harry smiled, before frowning. 'I almost fear the answer but… how is Slytherin House?'

Draco winced. 'Ah… about that. With you not there, I tried to lead the house, but I just didn't hold as much respect. Or fear, you know?'

Harry gritted his teeth. 'How bad?'

'Most of the upper years have rejected your rules. Bullying is rampant against Gryffindors, and those who support you.'

'Who is the new leader? Flint? And how many still support me?'

'No,' Draco said, frowning. 'He is one of the few who still support you. Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle are the three who don't support you in our year. No objectors in second year, nor the Quidditch team. About half of years three and four are still loyal, and a third of fifth. I can only think of a handful who still support you in sixth and seventh.'

'And the leader?'

'Cassius Warrington,' Draco replied. 'Charming, popular bloke, but thick as two short planks. Oh, and also capable of beating Flint to a pulp.'

Harry winced. 'Great. Just what I need. I'll try and force him into submission when I'm out. I'm sorry, I should have placed more authority on you, in case something happened to me. We'll need to work on some contingency plans. In the meantime, try and persuade a few people back to our side. Now, how about chess?'

The next person to greet him was Daphne, later in the afternoon. Her usual calm demeanour was in tatters, with puffy red eyes and tracks of tears.

Harry frowned at the sight. 'Daphne? What's got you so worked up? I don't think I've ever seen the 'Ice Princess' cry.'

For his troubles, he received a weak slap on the shoulder, before another round of sobbing.

'Daphne? Are you alright? Has something happened?'

'You… you… you prat!' she blubbered. 'Of course something happened! You… you tried to fight a troll! Or has the damage made you forget that, too?'

'Oh…' Harry stared. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let my control slip on the house. I will right that wrong immediately.'

'No!' she screeched. 'I don't care about that! Sure, it's been a pain, but I haven't really noticed!'

Harry frowned again. 'Has my work not been enough?'

'No, you berk!' she cried, sobbing again. 'We've been worried about you. I've been worried about you. Why didn't you send for me when you woke up?'

Harry's mouth formed an 'O' shape. 'Ah. I… didn't realise you wanted to see me. I, ah, thought this was all… well, politics.'

Daphne stared at him in disbelief. She slapped him again. 'Politics! Politics! Do you see me simply as... as... as an ally?'

Harry frowned. 'Yes?'

Daphne burst into tears again, attempting to glare at him. 'I have been visiting you everyday! I have been sitting beside you, praying you would wake up! I watched as you lay there, bleeding out, with no legs! I watched as they reattached your legs! And now, you don't even see me as a friend?'

Harry frowned. 'Was that not the right answer? I really thought it was…'

She glared at him, before bursting into a fresh round of tears, running out of the Infirmary. Harry stared after her, confused. What had angered her so much? Or was she upset? Harry shrugged. Girls.

When Harry next woke up, he was greeted by Theo, grinning at his stirring form.

'Harry!' he cried out. 'How are you doing?'

Harry blinked several times, slowly waking up. 'Ah, Theo. What day is it?'

He frowned. 'The fifteenth. Are you alright?'

'Yeah, yeah,' Harry replied, fully awake. 'Just like to know how long I've been in here. So, what's up?'

Theo frowned. 'Well, have you heard of the Slytherin Divide?'

'They are capitalising it?' Harry asked incredulously.

'Yep,' Theo replied, shaking his head. 'It's massive, the biggest conflict the house has seen since… well, ever. Usually, Slytherin is one united body.'

Harry frowned. 'Brilliant. I will have to make sure I continue my work when I get out of here. Speaking of, I have a few letters I wish for you to deliver. Hand this one,' he passed over a green envelope with Lucius's name upon it. 'To Draco, and ask him to send it home, and these ones,' he passed over five red envelopes, untitled. 'To Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout.'

Theo frowned. 'What's all this about?'

Harry raised an eyebrow. 'That's for me to know. You can go now. Actually, can you also see if you can persuade anyone back to our side? It would be most productive.'

Theo frowned. 'I see what she means. I'll deliver your letters, but don't count on me for anything else. Good day.' With that, he stormed off in a huff, with Harry staring after him.

'What am I doing wrong?'

Following that thought came another. 'What went wrong with the troll?' He had worked the spells out, they should have been perfect. They should have obliterated the troll. So why didn't they? He would have to do some research when he was out.

Several hours later, Harry had another round of visitors, all clad in red and gold. They were, of course, Gryffindors; specifically, Fred and George.

'Harrikins!' They exclaimed in sync. 'How are you doing old bean?'

Harry grinned. 'I'm alright. How have you guys been doing.'

'We're all fine thanks to you, Harry.'

'Seriously, thanks.'

'At first, we thought we would offer our pranking services, but then we had a better idea.'

'Here it is!'

'The secret to our pranking success!'

One of the twins whipped out a blank piece of parchment. Harry stared at it.

'Are you guys serious?'

They looked at each other, feigning indignation. 'How dare you?'

'This is a work of art!'

'Tap it with your wand and say 'I solemnly swear I'm up to no good.'

Harry raised an eyebrow, but did as requested. From his wand point, lines of ink ran out, forming an elaborate title: 'MESSRS MOONY, WORMTAIL, PADFOOT AND PRONGS PROUDLY PRESENT THE MARAUDERS MAP.'

Opening it up, he found a map of Hogwarts, with moving footprints, each with a name attached. 'Is this real time?'

'Sure is!'

'We owe these guys so much.'

'And don't forget that when your done-'

'-tap it again and say 'Mischief Managed!' At that, the parchment returned to its blank form.

'Thanks guys,' Harry said, grinning.

'Our pleasure!' one said.

'And now, we've got to go!' And so they did.

Harry woke up the next morning, being clubbed round the head with a text book.

'Ow!' he yelped. 'What was that for?'

Standing before him was Pansy and Tracey, wearing matching glares. 'You know what.'

Harry frowned, genuinely confused. 'What? What have I done? Oh, the Slytherin Divide…'

'I don't care about the Slytherin flipping Divide. You. Are. A. Bastard!'

'A son of a mudblood!'

'A muggle-lover!'

'A Gryffindor!'

'Lower than a Gryffindor!'

'Less worthy than a turd stuck on the bottom of my shoe!'

'Hold it, girls. Before you go insulting me, can you explain what it is I have done that has so offended you?'

'Daphne!' Tracey cried out, exasperated.

Harry frowned. 'What about her?'

The two girls stared at him, mouths wide open. 'You made her cry!'

Harry frowned. 'That was me? What did I do?'

Pansy glared at him. 'Daphne has been here more than any of us, more than even Draco, and you have the audacity to say you don't see her as a friend, rather a tool!'

Harry frowned. 'Was that not right? I thought that was how we all saw each other. Apart from me and Draco, of course.'

Harry received a punch across the jaw.

'We joined you, not because you were useful, but because you were a nice guy.' Tracey stated, offended.

'Sorry, are we talking about the same me?' Harry asked, growing more confused. 'I thought I made it clear I was seeking out followers.'

Pansy and Tracey stared at him. 'So the charisma, the humour… that was an act?'

Harry shook his head. 'No. I thought that was how you act around followers you like.'

'No,' Pansy spat. 'Followers you like, you give little rewards. Friends, you give companionship.'

Harry frowned. 'Oh. Should I stop then?' He received another punch. Tracey stormed out of the room.

'How do you view us?' Pansy asked eventually.

'As allies,' Harry answered.

'Have you ever had a friend?'

'Draco.'

'Outside of your family,' she clarified.

'No.'

'Why?' Pansy asked, incredulous.

Harry frowned. 'How could I?'

At that point, Pansy just looked confused. 'Harry, what do you think a friend is?'

'Family you like,' Harry answered, matter of factly. 'Draco's my friend, Lucius is my friend, but Bellatrix Lestrange is not my friend.'

Pansy raised an eyebrow. 'You know, friends don't have to be family. Now, what are allies, or associates.'

Harry frowned. 'They are people you can trust with most things, people who are willing to aid you in any situation. They are people you enjoy being around, and spend free time with.'

Pansy sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. 'Harry… what you just described is a friend.'

Harry's eyebrows shot up. 'It is? But… I thought that was allies. What is an ally then?'

'An ally is someone who you work with for political gain, but not necessarily harboring positive feelings towards them. An ally can be a friend, but they don't have to be.'

'Oh,' Harry said, deflating. 'I thought that was politicians and minions. Is this why you and Tracey are angry at me, and Daphne upset?'

Pansy nodded. 'If you had meant what you had said, it would have been a very callous thing. You basically told her you were exploiting her.'

Harry slumped back into the bed. 'Can you try explaining to her? She is a good a… friend. A good friend. To Tracey, too.'

'I'll try,' Pansy said noncommittally. 'Tracey's really mad at you, and she will be talking with Daphne now. And Daphne's really upset. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes spiteful.'

Harry sighed. 'Well, I suppose that will have to do. You may go now.'

Pansy raised another eyebrow.

'What?'

'That dismissal's ind of rude.'

'Is it? I thought it was nice and polite!'

'Well, it's not. You should thank me, and say goodbye, not dismiss me like a minion.'

'Great. I told Nott the same thing. Sorry. Thanks. Please visit soon.'

Pansy smiled. 'That's better.'

The last person Harry (now) expected came a couple of days before his release. She was again in gold and scarlet, but this time with long leather gloves covering her hands.

'Hermione! How nice to see you.'

'Oh, Harry, I was so worried,' she cried out.

Harry glanced at her hands. 'Has it been getting worse?'

Hermione nodded. 'I've been trying, but I keep having visions, seeing people's secrets - it's horrible! I had to cover my skin to stop it, and even then, I have occasional visions of how the cows died! It's awful.'

'I'm sorry, Hermione. The exercises we were doing would help open up your power, and we haven't yet got onto the control part.' He patted the bed beside him. 'Come. I'll help you start off.'

Mumbling her thanks, Hermione did as he asked. 'Now what?'

'Take off your gloves. They will interfere.' She did as he asked. He then reached out to grab her hands, but she recoiled, pulling her hands to her chest.

'No!' she shouted. 'I don't want to see your secrets! It hurts. It's too much information.'

'Hermione, Hermione,' he replied in a soothing voice. 'I'm an Occlumens. Do you know what that means?' She shook her head. 'Nothing can get in my head. Not a telepath, nor a Legilimens, or even you, without my permission. And I don't want you in my head. Now, pass me your hands.'

Shakily, she held out her hands, which Harry grasped firmly. She gasped immediately. 'It's cold,' she whispered. 'There's nothing, nothing at all.'

Harry nodded. 'That's how most people are all the time. No sudden bursts of knowledge. Now, I'm going to release a small bit of knowledge, so brace yourself.' He concentrated, carefully releasing the knowledge of a basic Occlumens, the ability to manage thoughts and emotions. That much anyone could learn. 'You got that?'

She nodded. 'Yeah. So that's what it's like for you? Constantly sorting your thoughts and feelings?'

Harry nodded. 'Because I am a natural Occlumens. I am teaching you the few abilities I can, but because it won't be instinctual, you will have to focus in order to use these skills. Now, what do you feel now?'

'Back to nothing.'

'Good,' Harry said. 'Good. Now, I want you to imagine your mind is a library, and in that library is a Restricted Section. Now, like in a real Restricted Section, to take a book out, you need a teacher's consent. Except in this library, it is your conscious mind's permission. Have you done that?' She nodded again. 'Now, I want you to imagine you have two books. In one, is a complete description of how it feels to use Psychometry. In the other, a description of how it feels when holding my hands. Have you done that?'

She nodded again. 'Yeah. The first is an influx of knowledge, and the other is the absence.'

'Good. Now, place the influx book as far back in the Restricted Section as you can, and place the absence as close to the entrance as you can. Tell me when you have done so.'

After a moment she nodded. 'I've placed them.'

Harry smiled. 'That should have worked. Now, you can't test it on me, as my abilities will interfere, but run over to Madam Pomfrey and tap on her on the shoulder. Ask for something like a glass of water, and then come back.'

She ran off, doing as she was asked. She came back beaming. 'It worked! I didn't find anything!'

Harry grinned in response. 'Great! Now, when she comes back, shake her hand to thank her. Focus on your Psychometry to find something trivial, like her favourite colour.'

She did so, and beamed again. 'I only saw the colour! Nothing else!'

'That's brilliant Hermione. Now, how about you run off and join your classmates. I have a feeling you have been avoiding them.' She grinned sheepishly, before running off.

Harry smirked after her. Another willing victim.

As promised, Harry was allowed out the next day, in which he was summoned to a meeting with the Headmaster and the Head of Houses.

A/N: Poor Harry! So intelligent, yet so naive. What do you think he wants with Dumbledore?Anyways, please check out some of my other fics, I am quite proud of them.Please tell me what you think in reviews PMs, it means a lot.Until next month, by-ye!