Disclaimer: I own ALL of the characters and Harry Potter belongs to ME.
Only joking. Harry belongs to J K Rowling.
This is number four and things are hotting up. Please read and review!!!
The next day, lessons started. Hermione promptly reminded them first thing that exams were early this year for a reason unknown to any of the students. Harry looked down at his timetable during breakfast (melon with bacon scrambled egg) and saw to his immense disappointment that he had double Potions first period with none other than the Syltherins. "I don't believe it!" shouted Ron. "First lesson back! And with the Syltherins too!" "There's nothing we can do about it, Ron," said Hermione, much to Ron's annoyance. "Besides, if anyone's got the right to be put out, it's Harry." Harry looked up. "Why?" he asked. "Well." Hermione looked uncomfortable. "Malfoy's bound to.and Snape." Harry thought for a minute. He had not crossed paths with Malfoy or Snape since Voldemort's return. How would he be towards him?
The dungeons were as cold as ever they were. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat huddled around one bench with their hands inside the sleeves of their robes to keep them warm. Harry was shivering as he glanced at the horrible things inside the jars on the shelves. "Hurry up," breathed Ron. "Never thought you'd want Snape to be on time." said Harry, but they were both cut off by Hermione. "Look out," she said and a second later, they knew why. Malfoy, taking advantage of Snape's absence, was swaggering over and, strangely, was not accompanied by Crab and Goyle. Instead, they sat dubiously in a corner. "So," he said disdainfully. "You actually decided to show your face. Very brave, I expect you're thinking." Ron seemed to be beyond words. The expression on his face showed exactly how he felt. "If you think." but he was cut off. "What chance do you think you have?" said Malfoy, almost seriously, his eyes boring into Harry's who was glaring determinedly back. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Malfoy?" said Hermione, calmly. Malfoy broke his gaze away from Harry and looked at her. "Ron has five brothers all three times your size, one of them with access to dragons. I know the four books on painful hexes off by heart and back to front and Harry.well. I don't need to explain, do I?" Malfoy narrowed his eyes. The babble of talk amongst people had quietened down. Everyone was watching. "Plus, I don't see your cronies by your side," retorted Ron, finding his angered voice stuck in his throat. Hermione sat confidently, glaring at Malfoy. There was a long pause. Harry said nothing. "You should know, Granger, that the dark Lord always tortures Mudbloods, like you, before He kills them." "Why you." Ron started, but Malfoy wasn't finished. "Weasely, I doubt He'd bother with your family. Not much point in finishing you lot off because nobody noticed you existed anyway." Ron started forwards but Hermione grabbed the back of his robes. "And Potter. I expect He'll have a.special end planned for you, maybe even reminding you of something. A re-enactment of scum begging on the floor, praying for their lives before he finishes them.I'm talking about your parents of course." Ron had broken free of Hermione's restraints but Harry got there first. He drew back his hand and hit Malfoy full in the face for the first time. His fist collided with Malfoy's jaw and Malfoy staggered back into the desk. Dean Thomas and Neville cheered. Crab and Goyle stood up with an angry cry and rushed to Malfoy's aid but Ron and Hermione were ready. Using the Furnuculus charm simultaneously, they floored Crab and Goyle, who ended up lying in a heap with large boils appearing on their faces. Harry would have backed off there and then if he hadn't seen Malfoy point his wand at Hermione under his robes on the floor. Harry forgot about magic and leapt on him, punching him in the stomach and face. Ron thankfully came up behind him and pulled him off. If he hadn't done it at that exact minute, Snape would have seen the whole thing. The door banged open and Snape stood in the doorway, illuminated from the glow outside. He surveyed the situation. Ron was still holding the back of Harry's robes, Malfoy was on the floor with a bleeding lip, clutching his stomach and Hermione still had her wand raised. There was an agonizing silence. Even Crab and Goyle looked up from their burnt and spotty state. "Will somebody," he said softly, "please explain to me what is going on?" "Potter attacked me, Sir!" shouted Malfoy with no hesitation. Snape's gaze immediately turned to Harry, who still had his fists clenched.
"Crab, Goyle, hospital wing. If Granger and Weasely would like to lower their wands for a minute, they can follow me to my office. If Potter and Malfoy would be so kind as to do the same. The rest of you, stay exactly where you are." The thing that surprised Harry was that there was no evil glint in Snape's eye as he was obviously about to deal out large punishments to Gryffindor House. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Snape ominously to his office, Malfoy in front. Snape's office had changed quite a lot, Harry noticed, as he had been in here twice before. There were odder things in the jars and the walls had changed. There was a smell of potions in the room and Harry suddenly felt very sick. Why had he attacked Malfoy like that? He had been so stupid! Harry waited for the blow to fall, but it never came. "Potter, Malfoy, wait outside. Granger and Weasely stay, if you please." Harry and Malfoy left the office, shutting the door behind them. Malfoy faced the other way and Harry was glad. He didn't trust himself to speak. There was a silence for what seemed like five minutes. "You are going to pay for this one, Potter!" spat Malfoy, wiping his still bleeding lip, the silence obviously not working. "Why don't you shut up for a change before I do something I really regret?" Harry retorted. "Like what, Potter? Go on, right here, right now!" Malfoy shouted. "Give me a reason," he said quietly. The door banged open and Ron and Hermione came out. "Twenty points each!" he spat. "I can't imagine what he'll give you, Harry. I mean, twenty points each isn't bad when it comes to Snape, but if it's you." Hermione stopped talking when Snape's voice sounded from the office. "In!" Harry trudged in, Malfoy stalking in behind him. The door shut magically with a bang. Harry didn't take his hands out of his pockets or look Snape in the eye. He wasn't in the mood for creating a good impression. Malfoy's words rung in his ears, echoing anger in himself. "So, Mr Malfoy. Explain please." Malfoy launched into a detailed explanation of his view of Harry's attack. "Is this true, Potter?" Snape asked. There was a pause. "No," Harry said. "Would you care to give me your wild and undoubtedly different of version of events?" Harry thought. Did he want to repeat the words Malfoy had spoken to Snape right here in his office? No, he didn't. Not now, feeling the way he was. "No, I don't. But it doesn't change the fact that it's not true." Snape glared icily at Harry and then turned away. "Malfoy, get along to the hospital wing, you're bleeding all over my floor and I don't wish to clear it up." There was a horrible silence as Malfoy left and Harry was left alone with Snape. For a long time, Snape didn't say anything, yet continued to stare. He finally broke the ice. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Harry was taken aback. "What?" he asked. "Brawling with a Malfoy is not smart at the best of times, but now.at this time." "You didn't seem to think it mattered when you partnered me with him at the Duelling Club!" Harry said, voice raised, unable to stop himself. As soon as he said it, he knew it was a bad idea. Here he was again, in Snape's office being provoked into losing his temper. Snape spoke quietly, "Don't talk to me like that." Harry looked away. "Why did you attack him, Potter?" Harry said nothing. Snape was getting agitated. "POTTER!" "He insulted my parent's memory! And my friends! I don't have to take that from him.anybody!" Snape continued to glare at Harry, now hot in the face, head pounding. Then Snape said something that Harry really didn't expect. "You're right. You don't." Harry looked up. Was Snape feeling okay? "Now get back to my class. And don't be provoked into that again, you hear me?" Harry nodded, unable to believe what he was hearing. He left the office quickly and hurried along the dungeon corridor.
The next day, lessons started. Hermione promptly reminded them first thing that exams were early this year for a reason unknown to any of the students. Harry looked down at his timetable during breakfast (melon with bacon scrambled egg) and saw to his immense disappointment that he had double Potions first period with none other than the Syltherins. "I don't believe it!" shouted Ron. "First lesson back! And with the Syltherins too!" "There's nothing we can do about it, Ron," said Hermione, much to Ron's annoyance. "Besides, if anyone's got the right to be put out, it's Harry." Harry looked up. "Why?" he asked. "Well." Hermione looked uncomfortable. "Malfoy's bound to.and Snape." Harry thought for a minute. He had not crossed paths with Malfoy or Snape since Voldemort's return. How would he be towards him?
The dungeons were as cold as ever they were. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat huddled around one bench with their hands inside the sleeves of their robes to keep them warm. Harry was shivering as he glanced at the horrible things inside the jars on the shelves. "Hurry up," breathed Ron. "Never thought you'd want Snape to be on time." said Harry, but they were both cut off by Hermione. "Look out," she said and a second later, they knew why. Malfoy, taking advantage of Snape's absence, was swaggering over and, strangely, was not accompanied by Crab and Goyle. Instead, they sat dubiously in a corner. "So," he said disdainfully. "You actually decided to show your face. Very brave, I expect you're thinking." Ron seemed to be beyond words. The expression on his face showed exactly how he felt. "If you think." but he was cut off. "What chance do you think you have?" said Malfoy, almost seriously, his eyes boring into Harry's who was glaring determinedly back. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Malfoy?" said Hermione, calmly. Malfoy broke his gaze away from Harry and looked at her. "Ron has five brothers all three times your size, one of them with access to dragons. I know the four books on painful hexes off by heart and back to front and Harry.well. I don't need to explain, do I?" Malfoy narrowed his eyes. The babble of talk amongst people had quietened down. Everyone was watching. "Plus, I don't see your cronies by your side," retorted Ron, finding his angered voice stuck in his throat. Hermione sat confidently, glaring at Malfoy. There was a long pause. Harry said nothing. "You should know, Granger, that the dark Lord always tortures Mudbloods, like you, before He kills them." "Why you." Ron started, but Malfoy wasn't finished. "Weasely, I doubt He'd bother with your family. Not much point in finishing you lot off because nobody noticed you existed anyway." Ron started forwards but Hermione grabbed the back of his robes. "And Potter. I expect He'll have a.special end planned for you, maybe even reminding you of something. A re-enactment of scum begging on the floor, praying for their lives before he finishes them.I'm talking about your parents of course." Ron had broken free of Hermione's restraints but Harry got there first. He drew back his hand and hit Malfoy full in the face for the first time. His fist collided with Malfoy's jaw and Malfoy staggered back into the desk. Dean Thomas and Neville cheered. Crab and Goyle stood up with an angry cry and rushed to Malfoy's aid but Ron and Hermione were ready. Using the Furnuculus charm simultaneously, they floored Crab and Goyle, who ended up lying in a heap with large boils appearing on their faces. Harry would have backed off there and then if he hadn't seen Malfoy point his wand at Hermione under his robes on the floor. Harry forgot about magic and leapt on him, punching him in the stomach and face. Ron thankfully came up behind him and pulled him off. If he hadn't done it at that exact minute, Snape would have seen the whole thing. The door banged open and Snape stood in the doorway, illuminated from the glow outside. He surveyed the situation. Ron was still holding the back of Harry's robes, Malfoy was on the floor with a bleeding lip, clutching his stomach and Hermione still had her wand raised. There was an agonizing silence. Even Crab and Goyle looked up from their burnt and spotty state. "Will somebody," he said softly, "please explain to me what is going on?" "Potter attacked me, Sir!" shouted Malfoy with no hesitation. Snape's gaze immediately turned to Harry, who still had his fists clenched.
"Crab, Goyle, hospital wing. If Granger and Weasely would like to lower their wands for a minute, they can follow me to my office. If Potter and Malfoy would be so kind as to do the same. The rest of you, stay exactly where you are." The thing that surprised Harry was that there was no evil glint in Snape's eye as he was obviously about to deal out large punishments to Gryffindor House. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Snape ominously to his office, Malfoy in front. Snape's office had changed quite a lot, Harry noticed, as he had been in here twice before. There were odder things in the jars and the walls had changed. There was a smell of potions in the room and Harry suddenly felt very sick. Why had he attacked Malfoy like that? He had been so stupid! Harry waited for the blow to fall, but it never came. "Potter, Malfoy, wait outside. Granger and Weasely stay, if you please." Harry and Malfoy left the office, shutting the door behind them. Malfoy faced the other way and Harry was glad. He didn't trust himself to speak. There was a silence for what seemed like five minutes. "You are going to pay for this one, Potter!" spat Malfoy, wiping his still bleeding lip, the silence obviously not working. "Why don't you shut up for a change before I do something I really regret?" Harry retorted. "Like what, Potter? Go on, right here, right now!" Malfoy shouted. "Give me a reason," he said quietly. The door banged open and Ron and Hermione came out. "Twenty points each!" he spat. "I can't imagine what he'll give you, Harry. I mean, twenty points each isn't bad when it comes to Snape, but if it's you." Hermione stopped talking when Snape's voice sounded from the office. "In!" Harry trudged in, Malfoy stalking in behind him. The door shut magically with a bang. Harry didn't take his hands out of his pockets or look Snape in the eye. He wasn't in the mood for creating a good impression. Malfoy's words rung in his ears, echoing anger in himself. "So, Mr Malfoy. Explain please." Malfoy launched into a detailed explanation of his view of Harry's attack. "Is this true, Potter?" Snape asked. There was a pause. "No," Harry said. "Would you care to give me your wild and undoubtedly different of version of events?" Harry thought. Did he want to repeat the words Malfoy had spoken to Snape right here in his office? No, he didn't. Not now, feeling the way he was. "No, I don't. But it doesn't change the fact that it's not true." Snape glared icily at Harry and then turned away. "Malfoy, get along to the hospital wing, you're bleeding all over my floor and I don't wish to clear it up." There was a horrible silence as Malfoy left and Harry was left alone with Snape. For a long time, Snape didn't say anything, yet continued to stare. He finally broke the ice. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Harry was taken aback. "What?" he asked. "Brawling with a Malfoy is not smart at the best of times, but now.at this time." "You didn't seem to think it mattered when you partnered me with him at the Duelling Club!" Harry said, voice raised, unable to stop himself. As soon as he said it, he knew it was a bad idea. Here he was again, in Snape's office being provoked into losing his temper. Snape spoke quietly, "Don't talk to me like that." Harry looked away. "Why did you attack him, Potter?" Harry said nothing. Snape was getting agitated. "POTTER!" "He insulted my parent's memory! And my friends! I don't have to take that from him.anybody!" Snape continued to glare at Harry, now hot in the face, head pounding. Then Snape said something that Harry really didn't expect. "You're right. You don't." Harry looked up. Was Snape feeling okay? "Now get back to my class. And don't be provoked into that again, you hear me?" Harry nodded, unable to believe what he was hearing. He left the office quickly and hurried along the dungeon corridor.